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Bedding 2 different actions for same stock

So I have 3 custom actions from the same manufacturer and the same time frame. I also have 3 stocks. Each was bedded with the action that sits in the stock right now.
If I wanted to do a switcheroo would I need to rebed?
I want to change one of my barreled actions into a different stock. Anyone ever do this? Was accuracy affected?

Thanks fellas
 
Would be an interesting experiment. Please report if you do it. I’d bet the rifle will shoot fine. That said, every action and barrel is a little different.
 
First place to start is to swap one and do the bedding test. Indicator on the barrel to forend, loosen tighten action screws one at a time to see if it moves. Plenty of write ups on this forum on how to do it if you aren't familiar. Theres even a cheap ebay fixture available if you don't have what you need to do it.

 
First place to start is to swap one and do the bedding test. Indicator on the barrel to forend, loosen tighten action screws one at a time to see if it moves. Plenty of write ups on this forum on how to do it if you aren't familiar. Theres even a cheap ebay fixture available if you don't have what you need to do it.

I actually have the fixture, I need to find it in my organized chaos.
 
Depends on how they're bedded. I'm of the school of less contact rather than full contact. On round actions I make radiused pillars that match the action contour. The only part of the action that touches the bedding is the rear of the recoil lug and a strip 5/8" wide down the centerline. So as long as the recoil lugs don't touch on the sides, front or bottom, I think it would work.
 
Here's a pic of what I do. One of the first things I made was a fly cutter to cut the radius. It's ever so slightly undersize so the pillar is a crush fit on the action. I attach pillars to the action and bed the assembly in one step.

20240425_093247.jpg
 
I just finished up the final assembly of the rifle in the picture, or so I thought. Timney trigger so it had a wide trigger shoe. I had to relieve the inside of the trigger guard to get some clearance. Tightened the screws and thought I was done. Cycled everything a few times and the safety felt odd. The safety was touching inside the stock. Besides the slight grating feel when operating the safety it was ever so slightly rotating the barreled action to one side. Thus the trigger was touching the trigger guard. Relieved the stock a little bit and the problem went away. The way I tape off the recoil lug there is supposed to be enough room for a slight amount of rotation for alignment purposes.
 
Dave,

If you were bedding a single shot action into a stock without a
magazine well, how far back would you extend the 5/8" strip ?

A. Weldy
 
Perfect, nope...but do it and report back about how we fret over bedding brands shrinkages vs others, etc. If done right and the two actions don't present a binding issue outside of a thou or so in ONLY diameter...it'll shoot just fine. Been there several times. Is it perfect, no, but can you see a difference, also likely NO.

I'm not gonna intentionally bed my comp br rifle to a different action because I have no need to but I think you'll be pleasantly surprised as long as it doesn't bind somewhere. As in, if the 2nd action is smaller everywhere, I'm literally betting I can't shoot the difference. Check it when done with an indicator!!!

Lets not get into tune. It might take a slight retune or might not.

One of the better known rf smiths(for a while) claimed to be able to mill the inlet well enough that his stocks didn't need bedding at all. Well, to a LIMITED point, I agree with him but there are factors that statement on it's own can't and doesn't account for. Which is why I would not ever make that claim. It's like guaranteeing factory ammo to shoot...You're guaranteeing someone else's work and staking your own reputation on that claim. Not for me.
 
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Perfect, nope...but do it and report back about how we fret over bedding brands shrinkages vs others, etc. If done right and the two actions don't present a binding issue outside of a thou or so in ONLY diameter...it'll shoot just fine. Been there several times. Is it perfect, no, but can you see a difference, also likely NO.

I'm not gonna intentionally bed my comp br rifle to a different action because I have no need to but I think you'll be pleasantly surprised as long as it doesn't bind somewhere. As in, if the 2nd action is smaller everywhere, I'm literally betting I can't shoot the difference. Check it when done with an indicator!!!

Lets not get into tune. It might take a slight retune or might not.

One of the better known rf smiths(for a while) claimed to be able to mill the inlet well enough that his stocks didn't need bedding at all. Well, to a LIMITED point, I agree with him but there are factors that statement on it's own can't and doesn't account for. Which is why I would not ever make that claim. It's like guaranteeing factory ammo to shoot...You're guaranteeing someone else's work and staking your own reputation on that claim. Not for me.

Kind of along the lines of McMillan stating that their stocks do not need to be bedded. I guess they don't if "Minute of Moose" will work for you! Lol. Carry on.
Paul
 
Dave,

If you were bedding a single shot action into a stock without a
magazine well, how far back would you extend the 5/8" strip ?

A. Weldy
I depend on the pillars to support the action not the bedding. Think V-blocks, so with that in mind I would bed under the barrel tenon and the tang. And of course the recoil lug. I have 1" electrical tape that comes in handy for providing clearance. It's wide enough to cover each side from the pillar to up past the stock line. Makes clean up easy.
 

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