Gunsmithing Choate stock bedding?

[bdh308]

This question is for the expert bedder who may have delt with a choate stock. I have one of the new choate stocks that looks like an A5 not that it matters cause I think they all have the same aluminum bedding block in them. The question is basically to bed this paticular stock would you just bed it like anyother stock over the aluminum from the barrel lug back to the tang? And what kind of bedding material would you use steel, glass and what brand? How much to order for one stock?

 

[bdh308]

Re: Choate stock bedding?

I have notice a little rubbing on the aluminum block if this helps.

 

[PFCSkoug]

Re: Choate stock bedding?

I would use Marine-tex Grey if i was you, it works great on HS stocks with the aluminum bedding blocks so i couldn't see why it wouldn't work for yours

 

[Clark]

Re: Choate stock bedding?

The steel receiver touching Aluminum bedding can benefit from a skim glass bed if the connection is flat on flat or round on concave.

But where a round receiver is drawn into an Aluminum V block [a much better connection than round on concave], there should be a tiny amount of scuffing, and a skim of glass bedding would interfere with that.

The Choate Ultimate Sniper stock has Aluminum V blocks around the front and the rear action screws. There should be scuff [shiny] lines ~ .65" apart on both sides and the length of the V block. Those lines are caused by the steel sliding deeper into the V block as the V block is pushed apart and locally deformed. V blocks amplify the action screw force through the mechanical advantage of a ramp. The vertical component is the same, but lateral forces are added. Epoxy in the V block can interfere with that amplification.

 

[bdh308]

Re: Choate stock bedding?

That makes since..because it is a Vblock. Thats really why I asked the question. So really from what I understand maybe just bedding in the recoil lug area and leaving the rest alone would benefit this stock? Am I understanding what you are saying? If the recoil lug area is suggested what kind of bedding mentioned above would you recommend the glass or steel?

 

[Clark]

Re: Choate stock bedding?

You could put a skim coat between the recoil lug rear and the front face of the front V block. I do not think any accuracy will be gained, as the V block and the Recoil lug are so precisely machined that they already have good contact. The error of their fit is about as small as the layer of release agent. If there was an error, the friction in the V part of the V block is going to pick up all the recoil force anyway.

I am working on one right now. It is a 6mmBR Krieger bull barrel with Harrell brake. That does not produce enough recoil to ever use the recoil lug. But if I were working on a 338 Lapua and a light weight barrel, I would put some epoxy in there. I would get an oversized lug too.

 

[bdh308]

Re: Choate stock bedding?

Thanks Clark...The fit is pretty good. In the recoil lug area there is alot of room in front of the lug and sides of the lug to move but because of the Vblock. Your saying that it really doesnt matter cause the Vblock is keeping the rifle firm in its place so regardless of space in the recoil lug area. That makes since. Im just trying to understand this stock and the Vblock a little better so I wont have to do anything or spend anymore money on it. Just like the old saying goes "If it aint broke". One last question...because of the Vblock should I torgue the guard screws tighter or just to Remingtons specs? Ive been using 35inchpds on the tang and 60inchpds on the front guard screws.

 

[Clark]

Re: Choate stock bedding?

I tighten as much as I can.
I had to bushing out the rear screw .060" and counter sink the front so it would engage 3.5 turns instead of 1.5 turns.

I was tightening as hard as I could with the 1.5 turns engagement, and it did not strip out.
Anything I can do with a screwdriver is fair game NOW.