Aarrrrh! He used NO TAPE at all.

[KY_Windage]

I just bought a used (but never, or hardly ever, shot) Rem 700 varmint. It came with a very nice-looking bed job on the lug (and nowhere else). Looks like DevCon (clear). Looks like the guy really knew what he was doing. Problem is, he apparently put NO TAPE anywhere because it is a BEAR to get apart. I'm thinking of reaching in with my Dremel and a long sanding stone (I think I have one small enough) and relieving in front, and I was wondering if anyone thinks that is a bad idea.

I have not shot the gun yet, waiting on a new FP assembly to get rid of J-Lock and snaky spring. I know, "shoot it both ways and see."

But when I say it is a BEAR, I mean a GRIZZLY. If I am going to leave it as is, is there a trick to getting it apart? Can I get a couple of long bolts to thread in and tap against? What is the thread on a Rem 700 acton screw anyway?

 

[LHSmith]

Stick it in the freezer.

 

[Alex Wheeler]

How often do you really have to take it apart? I like a snug fitting lug on a round action.

 

[WayneShaw]

Screws are 1/4-28, you can get them at any decent hardware store. Leave it alone, the more you take it apart, the worse the fit will be.

 

[KY_Windage]

How often do you really have to take it apart? I like a snug fitting lug on a round action.

Good point. Unless I have to shoot in the rain or something, maybe not very often at all.

 

[NorCalMikie]

If you shoot it in the rain, hose it down with WD 40 to drive out any moisture then get after it with an air hose. Other than that, don't fix it (remove the action) if it ain't broke.

 

[AckleymanII]

I just bought a used (but never, or hardly ever, shot) Rem 700 varmint. It came with a very nice-looking bed job on the lug (and nowhere else). Looks like DevCon (clear). Looks like the guy really knew what he was doing. Problem is, he apparently put NO TAPE anywhere because it is a BEAR to get apart. I'm thinking of reaching in with my Dremel and a long sanding stone (I think I have one small enough) and relieving in front, and I was wondering if anyone thinks that is a bad idea.

I have not shot the gun yet, waiting on a new FP assembly to get rid of J-Lock and snaky spring. I know, "shoot it both ways and see."

But when I say it is a BEAR, I mean a GRIZZLY. If I am going to leave it as is, is there a trick to getting it apart? Can I get a couple of long bolts to thread in and tap against? What is the thread on a Rem 700 acton screw anyway?

Remove the action screws. Now, grab the barrel and forearm of the stock with your fist, and squeeze, You will see the tang lift up ever so slightly off the bedding, stick a tooth pick under the tang, now lift up on the barrel with your right hand, and pull on the forearm.

Repeat, with a larger object under the tang, perhaps a flat blade screw driver.

Now, pull up on the barrel with your right hand and the pull away with your left hand.

Repeat, sticking the screw driver deeper under the tang.

The whole process may take 30 seconds.

I like a tight fit.

bottom of the lug should NOT touch the bedding

 

[sawcarver]

I didn't know we were supposed to use tape for bedding. I like it tight

 

[joshb]

I didn't know we were supposed to use tape for bedding. I like it tight

A couple layers on the front and sides of the lug prevent this problem.

 

[AckleymanII]

BUT, I like the problem!

I have a 1/8" end mill that only cuts on the bottom, and this is used to relieve the bottom on a dremel, IF I do not tape the bottom of the lug.

 

[drover]

There is a school of thought that by bedding the action lug tight the action will not be prone to as much movement due to torque when the rifle is fired. I have been bedding mine tight the last few years and I have seen a decrease in group size and a lessening of the random flyer.
Shoot the rifle and if it shoots well quit overthinking it and enjoy it, if it doesn't then attack the issue.

drover

 

[Dusty Stevens]

There is a school of thought that by bedding the action lug tight the action will not be prone to as much movement due to torque when the rifle is fired. I have been bedding mine tight the last few years and I have seen a decrease in group size and a lessening of the random flyer.
Shoot the rifle and if it shoots well quit overthinking it and enjoy it, if it doesn't then attack the issue.

drover

And we have seen thru experimentation over the years if the front or the bottom of the lug touches its not good for accuracy at all. We give clearance there for accuracy reasons not ease of removal.

 

[KY_Windage]

So does anyone know of a website where we can go and get one consensual answer to simple rifle questions?

I am getting better at disassembly, to the point that I am happy to live with it as is IF that is the way to make the rifle most accurate. (I was forced to get some experience having to open up the barrel channel as it was touching all along at several places on both sides.) I am going to shoot it before I mess with the lug. Waiting on a new FP assembly and an EGW base.

 

[cdngary]

So does anyone know of a website where we can go and get one consensual answer to simple rifle questions?

I am getting better at disassembly, to the point that I am happy to live with it as is IF that is the way to make the rifle most accurate. (I was forced to get some experience having to open up the barrel channel as it was touching all along at several places on both sides.) I am going to shoot it before I mess with the lug. Waiting on a new FP assembly and an EGW base.

NO, not if we have more than one shooter answering the question.

 

[SBS]

Stick it in the freezer.

Don't do this to a wood stock. It has moisture in it and will crack all over. Friend of mine did this years ago to a beautiful and scarce (long action) 700 Varmint Special.

 

[tobnpr]

Action puller/jacks make it easy to "pull" the action straight up out of the stock.

 

[Will Henry]

I would clear the bottom (including the corners) and front but you can leave the sides close. As for getting a consensus; give your head a shake. It ain't gonna happen. WH

 

[std7mag]

My Devcon ends up gray.
Black part A.
White part B.

 

[MGYSGT]

Can't remember the last time I took my rifle out of the stock. Probably the last time I got a new barrel.

 

[KY_Windage]

Thanks to AckleymanII's tip it is pretty easy for me to get it apart now. I will disassemble as few times as possible after I get the new trigger installed, etc.

I have been using a "Household" DevCon on my pillars. It is 2-part but finishes our very clear. That is what this lug bed looks like, that is why I said that, but who knows. It does look nice.

And yeah, I was kidding about getting a consensus. Wouldn't have it any other way.