Gunsmithing Can I use an oversize recoil lug in an AI Chassis?

[keninsb]

Hi. I purchased an AI chasis system for my Remington 700 SPS AAC-SD. I am planning on having the action blue printed and was thinking of putting an oversize recoil lug. Do I have to have the lug recess widened in the AI chassis so that it will fit?
Any advice greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Ken

 

[Rthur]

Re: Can I use an oversize recoil lug in an AI Chassis?

If you change the recoil lug you will also change the headspace. I have an older chassis and .250 will fit just fine. At .300 you will have to add some clearance. Possibly at the front and the bottom. I have heard the newer ones have more clearance thickness wise.

 

[keninsb]

Re: Can I use an oversize recoil lug in an AI Chassis?

Thanks Rther. I just measured the lug space with a digital caliper and it is about 1/4" (.250) wide and about .380 deep from the bottom of the channel to the bottom of the lug space. I looked at the specs of different oversized recoil lugs on Brownells site and most of them run about .250 this with the exception of Superior Shooting which runs a whopping .369" thick!
At any rate, looks like I may need to make a tiny bit of room on the front and bottom of the lug space. Does that sound about right?
Thanks again,
Ken

 

[MikeeBooshay]

Re: Can I use an oversize recoil lug in an AI Chassis?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Rthur</div><div class="ubbcode-body">If you change the recoil lug you will also change the headspace. I have an older chassis and .250 will fit just fine. At .300 you will have to add some clearance. Possibly at the front and the bottom. I have heard the newer ones have more clearance thickness wise. </div></div>

Since he is blueprinting it, he is going to change headspace anyway, either on the lug abutments or the lugs or the face of the action.

More important than the thickness of it, is whether it is flat and true (parallel faces), which from the factory, it is likely not. Might as well pin it while you are there too.

After all that, opening up the slot in the chassis for a bigger lug is easy. I did one once at the ranch, with a file. Took a bit, but worked OK.

 

[keninsb]

Re: Can I use an oversize recoil lug in an AI Chassis?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Mikee Booshay</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Rthur</div><div class="ubbcode-body">If you change the recoil lug you will also change the headspace. I have an older chassis and .250 will fit just fine. At .300 you will have to add some clearance. Possibly at the front and the bottom. I have heard the newer ones have more clearance thickness wise. </div></div>

Since he is blueprinting it, he is going to change headspace anyway, either on the lug abutments or the lugs or the face of the action.

More important than the thickness of it, is whether it is flat and true (parallel faces), which from the factory, it is likely not. Might as well pin it while you are there too.

That is kind of what I was thinking. I was going to have Darryl Holland do the work and he does pin the recoil lug. Thanks for the advice.
Ken

After all that, opening up the slot in the chassis for a bigger lug is easy. I did one once at the ranch, with a file. Took a bit, but worked OK. </div></div>

 

[Rthur]

Re: Can I use an oversize recoil lug in an AI Chassis?

I would go with the .250 and you will have your answer when it arrives. Also it goes without saying you don't want your mill ect. to touch the face of the chassis that the lug will be in contact with when it is torqued in to the chassis. Also you could remove some length off of the lug as this will be easier than getting depth on the chassis. I have had good luck with the aics, after reinstalling it seems to be within a tenth or two for zero.

Mike I agree with the blueprinting changing the headspace, I replied the above to make sure there wasn't just a RC swap and not take these things into consideration.

 

[keninsb]

Re: Can I use an oversize recoil lug in an AI Chassis?

Thanks again Rthur!
Ken

 

[keninsb]

I ended up ordering a Hollands oversized lug with pin. When I set it in the AI chassis, it fit with room to spare on the width. The length is definitely too long, and like Mike said I am going to have material removed from the bottom of the lug rather than enlarge the lug mortice on the chassis. I would like to avoid making any permanent changes to the chassis if possible just in case I ever have to sell it. Now I just need to find a good smith to do the work for me. Most of the guys I have left messages for or sent emails have not responded with quotes. Must just be really busy with all of the political BS going on right now. Any suggestions for smiths would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks again guys,
Ken