Gunsmithing Scope base bedding

[uncledillers]

So I just finished my first bit of smithing on my first rifle.

It started with my savage 10pc, and mounting a aluminum 20moa scope base from TPS. I noticed when I torqued it all down, it seemed a little off. When eyeballed from the back it seemed to have a hump in the middle, so I used a striaght edge to check things out

As you can see it caused the rail to be out front to back a couple of degrees.

So I read what I could find, and i was told to just torque one side at a time to see were the error in the action was and then bed that end.

I torqued the front down.

And as seen at the rear of the bases, there was a slight gap.

I then took out the front screw and torqued down the back.

As seen in the last two pic there was a huge ( at least I would call it huge) gap. So from what I heard I should bed the back. But as I thought about it, a gap on the front that big would lose any MOA gain I had from the 20 MOA base. And just because the gap is higher at the front dosn't mean the problem is at the front.
Think a teeter tooter, but you move the fulcrum (high point)to one side the other side then goes higher (bigger gap)

So I decided to bed the entire base torquing down only the front and letting the epoxy fill in the gaps anywhere else, and might even get a at least a extra 1/4 MOA out of it.

SUPPLIES

Rifle action
TPS scope base
VARSOL for degreasing
JB WELD for bedding
KIWI polish for a release agent
CREDIT type card for mixing and applying bedding
SCOTCH BRITE pad for ruffing up base
Q-tips and rags fro clean up

1.I started by using shoe polish on my action and anywhere I didn't want bedding to stick to, as well as the base screws

2. I used scotchbright pads to ruff up the rail surfaces, as well as used a knife to scratch in some deeper groves for the bedding to bite to. ( will use a heavy grit sandpaper net time)

3. Mixed my JB weld and applied it to the scope base coming short of the screw holes.

4. Placed the base on the action, as snugged the very front screw down, and lightly put in the other screws to line every thing up.

5. I used Q-tips and Varsol to go around the base and action removing any execss bedding.

6. I left for 2 hours, then removed all but the front screw, cleaned the holes and the screws of any bedding, and re waxed the screws replaced them finger tight. I then removed the front screw , cleaned the hole and screw and torqued it back.

7. I left it for 24 hours, unscrewed the screws, took a breath and prepared to have my base welded to my base, then just a slight tug and *pop* she came right off.

8. I then cleaned everything off with varsol, reassembled and the base is tight full contact and true.

 

[uncledillers]

Re: Scope base bedding

You can see the thin film of grey jb weld, and a keen eye can see it thicker on the rear.

Also If you look on the bottom of the base were the bedding is, on the front rear. You will see that there was a high point there ( like I though, wich was acting as the fulcum to make the high gap in the front

I hope this is a help to somebody outthere, it was nice to have a positive outcome on my first tinkering.

 

[blakheaven]

Re: Scope base bedding

Nice Thank you for taking the time to post this. It is always nice to see people on here helping each other as opposed to slenderizing each other over "spec" disagreements or preferences. Nice stick by the way

 

[locked&loaded]

Re: Scope base bedding

Great post.
Just goes to show don't assume all is well by just torquing down a base and adding some glass.
Pays to check things and bed if needed.

 

[AXEMAN]

Re: Scope base bedding

good job. nice work on the diagnosis too. i got all happy while i was bedding the action and did my base as well. JBWeld fixes everything! plus its cheap and available everywhere in nice small quantities

 

[Hellbender]

Re: Scope base bedding

Many people stick on a set of rings and then start sawing away with a ring lapping bar to "fix" the rings!

Or wonder why their scope has ring marks or send the scope back because it doesn't work right!

Many (most, IMO) rifles need the bases bedded for a proper fit.

 

[pklin1297]

Re: Scope base bedding

Great post. I checked my new Howa barreled action tonight after I duracoated it two weeks ago. On the bare action, the EGW rail to action fit was as good as can be, no gaps anywhere and flat. After duracoating both the action and the rail, there is now a high spot causing the rail to bow after tightening. I was going to bed the base anyway so your post was very timely with good tips. Thanks.

 

[scotharr]

Re: Scope base bedding

Nice post. I use JB Weld to glue my base in without release agent: don't see any need to ever remove the base and it provides a more secure attachment. It has worked very well thus far.