Action flexing in a Weatherby Accumark Stock

[Todd DuBose]

I have a dilemma going on trying to torque the screws on an Accumark. The problem I am having is either screw tightened the action flexes. Being this stock has an Aluminum bedding block, I just figured this problem would not exist. Someone tell me how the front lug should be bedded as the lug has the front screw going into the bottom. Both of my rifles do this.

 

[jscandale]

Todd,

I always pillar bed all stocks with an aluminum bedding block in them. I know it sounds redundant, but the pillars and the bedding are the only sure fire way to eliminate the problem.

JS

 

[Preacher]

Just use small pillars to keep out the what ever you'll be using for the bedding material...

 

[Todd DuBose]

Todd,

I always pillar bed all stocks with an aluminum bedding block in them. I know it sounds redundant, but the pillars and the bedding are the only sure fire way to eliminate the problem.

JS

But how do you suggest bedding the front action screw besides the pillar? I am used to Remington Lugs being taped on the front and the sides. What do you reccomend?

 

[BoydAllen]

Factory actions are usually machined soft and then heat treated. This causes a small amount of warpage, which is why you need to do a skim bed in your stock's block. Blocks normally have built in pillars. Just make sure to wax the pillar holes and clean them out with a close fitting drill, from the bottom after the bedding has hardened. Wrapping the guide screws with tape will help keep the material out of the holes as well. The only place that the screws should touch is in their holes in the action, and where their heads contact the bottom metal.

 

[Todd DuBose]

What kind of Skim Bedding do y'all reccomend for the Accumark Action? Thanks!!

 

[jscandale]

Todd,

I'm not sure I fully got your question. What I do is is drill out the stock with a multi step drill to 1/2" and then make pillars from an old barrel to about .470" and to a precise length in order to seat the action and bottom metal to the proper levels. This usually leaves a little space between the action and the bedding block. Once the pillars are right and the bedding is installed, I tighten the action screws very tight until all of the excess bedding oozes out and then back off the screws until they are just snug.

I'm sure everyone has their favorite bedding compound, but I have become very satisfied with Probed 2000.

JS

 

[Todd DuBose]

JS, The problem I am having with bedding is on a Remington action, I tape the front and the sides of the Barrel Lug. On the Weatherby action, The lug is integral of the action. Just trying to figure out if the sides and the front need to be taped off or should it be bedded all the way for best accuracy. Thanks!!

 

[jscandale]

I would not tape any of the lug, but would tape off the stock in front of the lug with duct tape and remove the excess bedding after you remove the action.

JS

 

[BoydAllen]

It may take trying it more than one way, but one way that I might try is to tape the lug, and bed about 3/4" of the barrel, with a definite cut off of contact by taping more than one thickness on the barrel in front of it, and putting tape with wax on it at the front of where the bedding is to stop, and then trimming after the bedding has hardened. Normally I do not believe in bedding the barrel, but with the lug at the front of the action, and the screw in the lug, I would try it. Also, make sure that you tape areas that could serve as a secondary recoil lug, like the back of the tang, and anywhere else that the bedding is against a rearward facing surface on the bottom of the action.

 

[Todd DuBose]

Boyd, JS, Thanks for the input. Forgot to add this is a Weatherby Mark V action. Just like the Remington on the back tang, It sits on top of the stock, In other words, It's round just like a 700 on the back so it should not be a problem with a false shoulder. Looks to me like the Bedding block is about 35 thousandths from touching the front flat. Plenty room for skim? bedding? Also, The front lug is about the same from touching the inside of the bedding block. When I tried to tighten the screw, It was flexing. So, Now I see what was really going on. What do y'all think about Steel Bed? I guess it's still available. Thanks!! Todd

 

[BoydAllen]

There are several good bedding compounds that will work. It has been a long time since I did one, so I will defer to more recent experience, I will say one thing. I don't see why Devcon plastic aluminum wouldn't work. For better bonding, I would use some coarse abrasive on the surface immediately before bedding. Aluminum oxide is not the best surface to adhere to.