300 WSM

[bjsiillinois]

I'm in the process of building a 300 WSM bench gun for varmint hunting. I have a 30" Rock Creek 1.25" straight taper barrel ordered for it. I'm going to use a Model 16 Savage action, using a single shot follower. It's all going to sit in a Richards thumbhole benchrest stock. I'm going to pillar bed the action, using Devon on the pillars, and the bottom length of the action as well. Using the barrel weight calculator, the barrel will weigh right at 10 lbs, and just a little more with a Harrell's muzzle brake on the end.
My question, should I bed the first couple inches of the barrel to help accommodate the weight of the barrel, or will the action be able to handle the weight of the barrel. I've seen posts on here where some used bedding, and others relyed on the action to hold all the weight. My Smith told me to bed the first couple inches, and if the gun doesn't shoot, take out the bedding under the barrel. I was just wondering what you guys have done in the past.
Thanks Billy

 

[dkhunt14]

I agree with your smith. Some guns shoot better with bedding under the barrel and some don't. It is easier to bed this area and remove a little if it doesn't shoot. Matt

 

[Laguna Freak]

I typically bed only the recoil lug plus approximately 1/2” of barrel and the rear tang.

One exception is my Steyr Pro Hunter. The trigger assembly makes bedding the tang risky for me. I only bedded the recoil lug, 1/2” of barrel. This and load tuning reduced 0.75 moa groups to 0.3+ moa.

 

[hoz53]

I typically bed only the recoil lug plus approximately 1/2” of barrel and the rear tang.

One exception is my Steyr Pro Hunter. The trigger assembly makes bedding the tang risky for me. I only bedded the recoil lug, 1/2” of barrel. This and load tuning reduced 0.75 moa groups to 0.3+ moa.

its always good to see Matt's posts even though that one is 4 plus years old.