Bedding & Accuracy

[Archermike]

How much accuracy can you expect to gain when bedding a factory rifle stock? Stocks are H&S and whatever Winchester uses on their Model 70 Heavy Varmint synthetic rifle stocks (Kevlar/fiberglass/graphite composite). I'm not sure who makes them sorry...

On average what can one expect to gain if the bedding job is done correctly? The barrels are floated and triggers are set (as low as 9oz. on one rifle) I'm getting good groups now, but would definitely like to take off .25" or so...

 

[cmillard]

i think that it will make your groups more consistant. if you occasionally have fliers, it might eliminate them. but as far as pure accuracy, i don't think you'll improve too much more. not a whole lot can be expected from most factory barrels out there.

 

[watercam]

I have something like 13 bolt action rifles in calibers from .204 Ruger to .375 H&H - 9 are factory. Having glass and pillar bedded each one (and free floated the forends) I firmly believe that the process (whether it be adding pillars, free floating forends, and/or the actual glass bedding) can have effect anywhere from slight to spectacular. If you have bedding blocks in your stock I would do it but the difference might not be noticeable until you shoot at longer ranges. In a wood stock I feel there will be a very noticeable improvement (with the exception of the Ruger 77's as their diagonal bedding screw pulls the action into the mortice nicely - just don't over tighten it and crack a stock like I did).