Gunsmithing Clean bedding job without mill

[NVScout]

This will be the third stock I’ve bedded and while the previous 2 turned out ok there is definitely room for improvement ! The first I did was a Remington and everything looked good except the tang.... I used regular blue painters tape cleaned up the excess devcon and by morning it had worked it’s way out leaving a less than desirable appearance. The second was a savage , the bedding got under the masking tape right off the bat. I pulled the tape and baby sat the stock which Q Tips and rubbing alcohol, this left a great edge and only had to sand the magwell/triggergaurd area.

What tips do you have to keep a tidy edge around the tang ? Should I just tape the sides and keep cleaning the excess from the tang area with alcohol ?

I also have to open up the ejection port to match the bighorn origins , is their anything special to know or just take it slow with a dremel ? Any help, tips ,tricks or words from the wise would be appreciated !

 

[jbell]

Qtip & WD40 after it sits for an hour or so.

 

[brianf]

Best advice, buy a chassis!! LOL

 

[Elite_KG]

I use 70% isopropyl rubbing alcohol and start clean-up immediately after securing the action in the bedding of the stock. I finish with WD40 to moisturize the parts. I use Devcon and cover the action above the stockline woth gift wrap scotch tape. Devcon metal particals are abraisive and will rub off paint and finishes on the action or polish a shiny streak along the stock line from wipimg away excess bedding material with q-tips. I have bedded at least 25 different rifles in this manner. Never had any issues after I figured out the scotch tap trick to prevent the abraisive polishing from wiping away the Devcon.

This method requires nearly zero sanding or finish work to the exterior perimter. Of course you will have to mill oit the mag well and trigger area omce the action is removed after curing. I use a dremel with a carbide bit. I have a pretty steady hand so it looks very clean when complete. Not the nest pic, but the only one I had on hand.

 

[NVScout]

I used frog tape and more or less babysat with alcohol this time , i would it’s my best so far....... minus the fact I forgot to tape the lug ! F*

I use bedding studs and finger tighten them. The action didn’t make it to the pillars on this one but has an even 1/8 inch bed height front and rear. Is it ideal to have the pillar showing contact or does it matter as long as it’s stress free?

 

[Cascade Hemi]

Remove the action before the Devcon completely dries and trim the excess material with a sharp blade. If steel bed went under your masking tape you most likely didn't properly degrease the surface.

 

[NVScout]

Remove the action before the Devcon completely dries and trim the excess material with a sharp blade. If steel bed went under your masking tape you most likely didn't properly degrease the surface.

I always worried about separating too early ... I think the bleed through was due to the aggressive paint texture on the B&C stock, it didn’t happen on this McMillan or the 1st manners I did. What’s your thoughts on my forgetting to tape issue ? Grind the recoil lug bottom or chisel/Dremel the bedding at the bottom of the lug pocket ?

 

[Cascade Hemi]

I always worried about separating too early ... I think the bleed through was due to the aggressive paint texture on the B&C stock, it didn’t happen on this McMillan or the 1st manners I did. What’s your thoughts on my forgetting to tape issue ? Grind the recoil lug bottom or chisel/Dremel the bedding at the bottom of the lug pocket ?

I poke the excess with a metal implement, when it's still plastic but not sticky, I'll pull out the action.

Shoot it and see how it works before worrying about it.

 

[Mordamer]

I don't tape anything off on the stock except the barrel channel because I can't get to it with Q tips and WD40. Apply Devcon putty that is warmed up slightly and immediately start cleanup on all squeeze out with the Q tips and WD40. I even reach up through the mag well and trigger hole and clean all of that squeeze out as well. I have had bedding jobs come out that looked perfect and didn't even need any cleanup after the epoxy dried. I always do a little cleanup for cosmetic purposes. Pic of the last one I did:

 

[NVScout]

I don't tape anything off on the stock except the barrel channel because I can't get to it with Q tips and WD40. Apply Devcon putty that is warmed up slightly and immediately start cleanup on all squeeze out with the Q tips and WD40. I even reach up through the mag well and trigger hole and clean all of that squeeze out as well. I have had bedding jobs come out that looked perfect and didn't even need any cleanup after the epoxy dried. I always do a little cleanup for cosmetic purposes. Pic of the last one I did:
View attachment 7086863

What do you do for tape on the lug ?

 

[Mordamer]

What do you do for tape on the lug ?

I tape the sides, bottom, and front with 2 layers of painters tape.

 

[300 grainpill]

I do most things wrong but as soon as everything creeps out I clean with wd40 and q-tips and have had good luck for an amateur

 

[NVScout]

Not terrible .... it’s a bummer I forgot to tape though

 

[NVScout]

All finished up for the new 6.5 PRC and it came out to 8.7 lbs dry. Pretty happy with the weight for having a 30oz scope on top.

 

[CuTm]

All finished up for the new 6.5 PRC and it came out to 8.7 lbs dry. Pretty happy with the weight for having a 30oz scope on top.

Tell us about you’re build man

 

[NVScout]

Tell us about you’re build man

Plan was to do it as cheap as possible so...
Bighorn origins-825
Proof 24”savage prefit -730
McMillan gamesout -540
Seekins DBM - 144
Trigertech special -150
Leupold mk5 5-25 (PR-1) already had
Leupold mark 4 rings already had

Totaling $2389 for a complete rifle, of course there was some coupons and discounts used but I’m pretty pleased. I was worried about the sammi 6.5 prc chamber due to too much neck clearance but for some reason the proof is right at .003 with the .188 FB. Hopefully it will shoot !

 

[CuTm]

Plan was to do it as cheap as possible so...
Bighorn origins-825
Proof 24”savage prefit -730
McMillan gamesout -540
Seekins DBM - 144
Trigertech special -150
Leupold mk5 5-25 (PR-1) already had
Leupold mark 4 rings already had

Totaling $2389 for a complete rifle, of course there was some coupons and discounts used but I’m pretty pleased. I was worried about the sammi 6.5 prc chamber due to too much neck clearance but for some reason the proof is right at .003 with the .188 FB. Hopefully it will shoot !

Not bad at all. Beautiful rifle , great weight. Should be a good hunter.

 

[pabrousseau]

tag

 

[sirmixalot]

i have begun to pull the action just before the bedding compound fully cures. Its a risk, but I have had good luck being able to clean up the stock with an exacto knife

 

[Lunchbox27]

I think it turned out great! I have bedded two stocks and mine don’t turn out that nice. I have also seen professional gunsmiths do worse.

Well done, awesome build!