Gunsmithing To bed or not to bed?

B

bjordan

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Full Member
Minuteman
Nov 17, 2010
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Siler City, NC
#1
I just purchased a new remington 700 xcr tactiacl long range in 308. It has a B&C stock with the aluminum bedding block. The gun is brand new and unfired. My question is should I shoot it first and see how it shoots or go ahead and bed it before the I mount the scope or anything? This is my first Long Range gun and will be used for target shooting only and probably some informal matches like egg shoots and groundhog shoots in factory class. Bedding is allowed in factory class in the events I will be attending.

Thanks in advance,
Billy
 
#2
Re: To bed or not to bed?

bedding is pretty standard to accurizing a rifle
and the end result is like you already know to eliminate uneven , hi low spots where the action fits the stock

i would bed it ;

on the high side bedding costs $175 or so
on the low side you could do it yourself for the cost of the supplies

pretty standard thing to do and cheap peace of mind
 
#5
Re: To bed or not to bed?

I would bed it also, but i would definitely shoot it first to see what kind of accuracy you have before hand. If done improperly it could make things worse..
 
#6
Re: To bed or not to bed?

I have NEVER heard of a properly done bedding job hurting existing accuracy. Sure, it you bed a rifle improperly, you will mess up the accuracy. Any existing accuracy will not be harmed by proper bedding...it will most likely enhance it.

If leaving it alone doesn't improve accuracy, and if bedding it will probably help accuracy, bedding it would seem like common sense. However, if you don't think better accuracy would be of any use for your purposes, then I wouldn't bother with bedding it. Probably very few people on this site would say "Nah, I don't care if my rifle can be more accurate..I'm leaving it alone."
 
#7
Re: To bed or not to bed?

I guess I'll bed it, well I won't but I have a friend that does gunsmithing and does a very good job. Seems like common sense to do it and it'll be easier before mounting anything. I just wanted to make sure there was no reason to shoot it beforehand.
 
#8
Re: To bed or not to bed?

If it was me I would shoot it both ways, I have a SPS 243 that I purchased for competition and shot it with a lot of laods and just got a Micmillan a5 on it and bedded it cant wait to see what a difference it makes....
 
#11
Re: To bed or not to bed?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Tripwire</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Can't fathom not bedding a rifle..... </div></div>
Some guys might not be as big into the goo as you are, is there anything you dont actually epoxy and before you say it we all know you could probably do with some on your mouth.
 
#12
Re: To bed or not to bed?

I bed all mine myself just cause i can and it isn't that hard. read the excellent sticky on how to do it and take your time.
all my rifles shoot between 1/2 and 3/4 MOA sometimes better. it is worth it, to me anyway.
 
#13
Re: To bed or not to bed?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: mikki</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Tripwire</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Can't fathom not bedding a rifle..... </div></div>
Some guys might not be as big into the goo as you are, is there anything you dont actually epoxy and before you say it we all know you could probably do with some on your mouth. </div></div>

And just who the fuck, exactly, are you supposed to be....

We? You and the retarded pet mouse in your pocket I'd hafta suppose.

That you can't understand the benefits of bedding a rifle, and the zero stress/100% metal to stock fit it yeilds, is more than telling enough.

Carry on..........
 
#14
Re: To bed or not to bed?

The B&C bedding block means the rifle already is bedded. Yes, it can probably be improved on (slightly) with a skim coat, but really; wouldn't it make better sense to find a real problem before you get all worked up about fixing things?

Shoot it. Then see if there's anything that actually needs fixing. My guess is that if there is, it'll take more than just bedding to iron it all out. But really, I don't think you'll be all that appalled with the rifle's performance as it already is.

If I'm right about this, let this be a lesson. A pound of worry can be cured with an ounce of trying. Besides, how the <span style="font-style: italic">heck</span> are you <span style="font-style: italic">ever</span> going to know if the bedding helped (or hurt...) if you don't know how it shoots before bedding?

Jeez...

Greg
 
#15
Re: To bed or not to bed?

Absolutely, go shoot it then decide. Bedding most likely would make little improvement to what you've got.
 
#16
Re: To bed or not to bed?

There is easily, an understandable benefit to bedding your rail to match your receiver surface. Saying to shoot it first is missing the point.

Example: If you tighten your front rail screws (over the ring)and see that the other end (over the bridge) is floating, then you tighten the back screws, you have now introduced stress in the rail and just bent it to fit. This may not effect accuracy, but your rings are now pointing in different directions, and putting uneven stress/pressure on your scope.

 
#17
Re: To bed or not to bed?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: azshooter</div><div class="ubbcode-body">There is easily, an understandable benefit to bedding your rail to match your receiver surface. Saying to shoot it first is missing the point.

Example: If you tighten your front rail screws (over the ring)and see that the other end (over the bridge) is floating, then you tighten the back screws, you have now introduced stress in the rail and just bent it to fit. This may not effect accuracy, but your rings are now pointing in different directions, and putting uneven stress/pressure on your scope.

</div></div>

I think he's reffering to action bedding.
 
#18
Re: To bed or not to bed?

Although I started a new post, I will just comment here.

I see that it is popular to bed a rifle even if it shoots good. With a good bedding job, the potential results I see are these (end of spectrum results, obviously):
1. No change at all, but now you know for sure that your rifle is shooting its best.

2. Holy crap, though I missed those last 9 shots, but they all went through the same hole! WOW! Can not believe I did not do this earlier!

Again, ends of the spectrum with a GOOD to GREAT bed job.

Will be reading about bedding now and getting some bedding materials.

HIJACK: Should I bother replacing the stock recoil lug on my savage 10fcp HS with a heftier, beefer recoil lug before bedding? Or is that just as dumb a question as "Should I bed this or not?"

End HIJACK.
 
#19
Re: To bed or not to bed?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Greg Langelius *</div><div class="ubbcode-body">The B&C bedding block means the rifle already is bedded.

</div></div>

The B&C bedding block means it was installed during the construction of the stock using a fixture that represents every other rem action on the damn planet, give or take enough to fit 'em all...meaning it fits a certain criterea of tolerances so it WILL fit every other Rem action on the planet.

One thing for sure and certain is...it was NOT installed using the very Rem action the OP possesses now. Anyone with half a lick of Rifle sense wouldn't trust it for a perfect fit on ANY rifle, bedding it seals the deal. We all know that Rem actions can vary from one to the other, a magic metal bedding block can't possibly make any guarantees.

Jeez....
 
#21
Re: To bed or not to bed?

Oreos...they go best with beer.

Bed or don't bed...I could care less.

The dude asked for opinion/experience....not assumption and speculation.

I'd bed the darn thing into a McM were it mine, and do it on purpose, and for a reason....but that's just me.
 
#22
Re: To bed or not to bed?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Tripwire</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Oreos...they go best with beer.

Bed or don't bed...I could care less.

The dude asked for opinion/experience....not assumption and speculation.

I'd bed the darn thing into a McM were it mine, and do it on purpose, and for a reason....but that's just me. </div></div>

Yes but its not you and we cant all be as wonderful as you but Im sure your opinion will be taken onboard just as the other opinions from others will. Your one peach of a guy but you've only got one opinion, a shit one but nevertheless an opinion just the same. Watch you dont choke on those Oreos when your slugging your beer.
 
#23
Re: To bed or not to bed?

Never seen a proper bedding job hurt anything, and nearly always improves accuracy. I snapped pics of two identical stocks as a learning tool for future readers of this thread. It's not difficult to see why we bed our stocks. 100% contact behind the lug, 100% contact under the front receiver (rear as well but not seen in photo). Notice how little of the reviver is supported by the "action contoured" aluminum bedding block, and the lug also.
These stocks are HS Precision, and while they shoot fine unbedded, they get significantly better with it. So why not?

IMG_1334.jpg
 
#24
Re: To bed or not to bed?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: mikki</div><div class="ubbcode-body">

Yes but its not you and we cant all be as wonderful as you but Im sure your opinion will be taken onboard just as the other opinions from others will. Your one peach of a guy but you've only got one opinion, a shit one but nevertheless an opinion just the same. Watch you dont choke on those Oreos when your slugging your beer. </div></div>

Aren't you the "gunsmith" who can't figure how to unstick epoxy from metal?

Betting loctite just wrecks your day.....

Being convinced a bedded rifle is a "shit opinion" is all we need to know about you.
 
#26
Re: To bed or not to bed?

I'm about to get badger bottom metal installed on my XCR- which I also recently purchased. I've had some recommendations to have it bedded after this install process. Guess it's just good to have done for piece of mind
smile.gif
 
#27
Re: To bed or not to bed?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Austan</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Never seen a proper bedding job hurt anything, and nearly always improves accuracy. I snapped pics of two identical stocks as a learning tool for future readers of this thread. It's not difficult to see why we bed our stocks. 100% contact behind the lug, 100% contact under the front receiver (rear as well but not seen in photo). Notice how little of the reviver is supported by the "action contoured" aluminum bedding block, and the lug also.
These stocks are HS Precision, and while they shoot fine unbedded, they get significantly better with it. So why not?

IMG_1334.jpg
</div></div>

I've found there's actually no real reason you have to have 100% contact behind the lug... or anywhere else as long as the contact is centered, solid and even along the entire length of the action. I used a Whidden Bedding Block on my 40X Repeater in a McMillan A5 and that rifle shoots dime-sized groups at 300yds when I'm having a great day... And yes, it's happened more than once. The other thing you'll probably find unusual is the fact that I can drop other Remington actions in it with similar results. That is to say the rifle's accuracy is as good as it can be. I tried it with an LTR I had. The other thing I don't worry about is particular torque values on the action screws. This may or may not be a result of the Whidden Block but I just tighten them up snug and the rifle shoots lights out... Every time.

Just thought I'd throw that information in there. I'm sure I'll get hammered for it but it's no lie!
 
#28
Re: To bed or not to bed?

Torque values are important in some cases. I dropped .25" off my groups with proper torque (60 in/lbs). Having read a lot on this post, I do believe that the bedding can not hurt and will only improve my rifles shooting capacity.

I am going to read, then bed. Then torque properly.

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: oneshot onekill</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I've found there's actually no real reason you have to have 100% contact behind the lug... or anywhere else as long as the contact is centered, solid and even along the entire length of the action. I used a Whidden Bedding Block on my 40X Repeater in a McMillan A5 and that rifle shoots dime-sized groups at 300yds when I'm having a great day... And yes, it's happened more than once. The other thing you'll probably find unusual is the fact that I can drop other Remington actions in it with similar results. That is to say the rifle's accuracy is as good as it can be. I tried it with an LTR I had. The other thing I don't worry about is particular torque values on the action screws. This may or may not be a result of the Whidden Block but I just tighten them up snug and the rifle shoots lights out... Every time.

Just thought I'd throw that information in there. I'm sure I'll get hammered for it but it's no lie! </div></div>
 
#29
Re: To bed or not to bed?

If the round bottom receiver is in a V block, and glass bedding is added, some stiffness may be lost.

The V block is a force amplifier.

Pulling a round bottom into a perfect fit concave shape is not a force amplifier, just the opposite. It makes the receiver a pry bar.
 
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