Bedding Action

[xswanted]

Do you guys ever bed just the action of a rifle?

For instance I have an action for a gun that I am waiting for the barrel.

I also have the stock.

Anyone ever just bed the action on its own or is best to wait for the barrel to be on it?

Pros ........ cons?

Thanks

 

[alinwa]

Do you guys ever bed just the action of a rifle?

For instance I have an action for a gun that I am waiting for the barrel.

I also have the stock.

Anyone ever just bed the action on its own or is best to wait for the barrel to be on it?

Pros ........ cons?

Thanks

NO NO NO!!!

At least in my case I can't possibly get it in straight without the barrel on......

 

[Puzzaz01]

It's best to have the barreled action, mainly for keeping the barrel truly inline with the stock. Nothing looks worst than a barrel off center in a stock. Always remember patience is key!

Darrin

 

[ngb1787]

You need the barrel!

 

[Dusty Stevens]

+1^

 

[tmwinds]

I'm not a gunsmith but, I've watched my smith bed actions and it is always with the barrel screwed on the action for the purpose of centering the barrel and action in the stock using rounds of painters tape on the barrel.

 

[Mozella]

You need the barrel!

Well, actually, especially if you shoot a rifle with a barrel nut, you just need A barrel. If the OP has another similar barrel he can screw on for the bedding process, he can proceed. Even if the dummy barrel is of the wrong diameter, adjusting how many laps of masking tape you use to space the barrel and forearm, you can simulate the diameter of the new, yet-to-be-delivered barrel.

This assumes you bed the action and the barrel nut, but no part of the actual barrel. With a conventional barrel you would want to be sure the barrel shank shape of the dummy and new barrel are identical if you intend to bed the action and an inch or so of the barrel. Some guys bed only the action and in that case the actual shape of the dummy barrel won't matter.

 

[xswanted]

Thanks guys! I figured it’s best to wait.

I was hoping maybe there was some cool thing about bedding just an action I didn’t know about but I guess not!

Only a month or so more till I get my barrel.

 

[riflewoman]

You can turn a “barrel” from a length of bar stock and use that.

 

[hoz53]

You can turn a “barrel” from a length of bar stock and use that.

Thanks guys! I figured it’s best to wait.

I was hoping maybe there was some cool thing about bedding just an action I didn’t know about but I guess not!

Only a month or so more till I get my barrel.

As riflewoman and Mozilla say you can use a different barrel or a piece of barstock ect. Just make sure you use the recoil lug you’ll be using for the final job and adjust the barrel to be in the center of the channel

 

[joshb]

Antsy? I know the feeling. You have to wait. You can’t eyeball it. If the action is 1/32” off straight ( something a good eye might miss) you’ll be 1/8” to 1/4” off center at the end of your forend.

 

[Liven The Dream]

Wait .
Do it once . not over again.