Bedding Block vs Bedded Stock vs Chassis?

[Phil3]

From an accuracy point of view only, which do you think would hold the accuracy advantage, all else being equal?

A: Synthetic stock with aluminum bedding block (not bedded).
https://www.bellandcarlson.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=category.display&category_id=1119

B: Synthetic w/aluminum bedding block (bedded).
https://www.bellandcarlson.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=category.display&category_id=1119

C: Chassis system (action dropped in, no bedding).
https://kineticresearchgroup.com/product/bravo-chassis/

I see bedding can be $250+, adding significant costs to any stock, so am trying to understand where the best value is. Note, I will be using a Howa action, which has a flat bottom and will not use a "V" block type system from what I can tell.

Phil

 

[Papa Charlie]

B&C. I use C and when Benchmark was installing my new barrel after blueprinting and truing my action, they indicated that bedding of the recoil lug or the action as not necessary. Very happy with my XLR Evolution chassis.

 

[Dusty Stevens]

Theres a reason bedding is pretty much standard on all competition worthy rifles. The only reason a gunsmith wouldnt bed one is because he must not know how

 

[Papa Charlie]

Theres a reason bedding is pretty much standard on all competition worthy rifles. The only reason a gunsmith wouldnt bed one is because he must not know how

Somehow I doubt that Benchmark as a lack of know how.

 

[Dusty Stevens]

Somehow I doubt that Benchmark as a lack of know how.

They fit barrels and are concerned with mass production. Ive never known them to build competition rifles or even do stock work

 

[Evan]

Accuracy wise, you'll never do better than bedding to you specific action.

That said, I've seen decent results with just blocks. From your line of questioning this sounds like a PRS rifle, which has lower requirements than a BR rifle so you can start out without bedding and do it later if you're not happy.

 

[Evan]

Theres a reason bedding is pretty much standard on all competition worthy rifles. The only reason a gunsmith wouldnt bed one is because he must not know how

At which point is he really a gunsmith or just a machinist that assembles guns? To me "gunsmith" means a greater understanding of the craft than just running in a reamer and putting it all together.

 

[Papa Charlie]

I don't agree with your assessment of Benchmark. They bed most of the rifles they build. XLR states that they don't recommend bedding because of the design of their chassis's which uses a "Multi-point radial cut inlet that eliminates the need for traditional V-Block or Glass Bedding". When Benchmark set my barrel and action and did measurements they found no need to bed even though they had recommended it when I first took my rifle in.
I am very pleased with the performance of my rifle competing with traditional custom rifles in both F-TR and F-O. I would say that my main limiting factor is the .308 win against more accurate calibers like the Creedmoor, .284 and the like.
But this is my opinion, you may see this differently.

 

[ben lurkin]

Creedmoors are more accurate than the 308? Did I miss a memo somewhere

 

[Dusty Stevens]

There are a ton of stock mfrs that say bedding is not needed. Every one has their idea of v-block type fit and for most people that works very fine. But in those setups you can see the block only contacts a very small part of the action. Most would rather their action be fully cradled and individually fit. Running without bedding is fine for most requirements

 

[Dusty Stevens]

Creedmoors are more accurate than the 308? Did I miss a memo somewhere

You been under a rock man.

 

[Keith Glasscock]

I still run a Barnard in a vee block. Same action, bedded properly, shows no improvement in accuracy.

I'd suggest the answer is "it depends"

 

[ben lurkin]

You been under a rock man.

Apparently.

 

[DirtySteve]

Apparently.

Well I didn't see you under the rock I was under. There is a big difference in accuracy/precision and ballistically superior.

 

[Papa Charlie]

There are a ton of stock mfrs that say bedding is not needed. Every one has their idea of v-block type fit and for most people that works very fine. But in those setups you can see the block only contacts a very small part of the action. Most would rather their action be fully cradled and individually fit. Running without bedding is fine for most requirements

I would agree with V blocks, but XLR don't use V blocks.

 

[Papa Charlie]

Creedmoors are more accurate than the 308? Did I miss a memo somewhere

Sorry don't mean to offend, I shoot .308 at mid range. Great calber. But the Creedmoors and variations there of, at least from what I see are performing exceptionally well. I may switch my rifle over to the 6.5 BRA when I have wore out my current barrel.
But for now I am very happy with my .308.

 

[ben lurkin]

Sorry don't mean to offend, I shoot .308 at mid range. Great calber. But the Creedmoors and variations there of, at least from what I see are performing exceptionally well. I may switch my rifle over to the 6.5 BRA when I have wore out my current barrel.
But for now I am very happy with my .308.

No offense taken. I've just never seen a definite comparison on the two. It's one of those things though; if everybody is shooting the same cartridge, we know what the most accurate cartridge will be. . .

 

[ben lurkin]

Well I didn't see you under the rock I was under. There is a big difference in accuracy/precision and ballistically superior.

Thats because most of the rocks I have are in my head.

 

[Bart B.]

From an accuracy point of view only, which do you think would hold the accuracy advantage, all else being equal?

Across all shooting environments, I think a bolt action tube gun is the best compromise.

 

[JFrank]

I still run a Barnard in a vee block. Same action, bedded properly, shows no improvement in accuracy.

I'd suggest the answer is "it depends"

Happy to read your post Keith,
I have this decision to make myself on a Stockade LRB that hopefully will arrive before spring??
I don't hear much about them on the forum however that's the direction I chose.
Regards
Jim