Bedding Block vs Bedded Stock vs Chassis?

[swadiver]

I have a number of XLR Element chassis systems with Savage Target actions. all shoot exceptionally well. as previously posted the XLR's use a series of radial cuts to bed the action, not a V block.

the target pic here is from a Shilen barreled 1 in 14 twist .223 with 52 gr Bergers and H4895 just dropped into the XLR chassis. the flyer in the last group was a round with a primer issue that required 3 strikes on it to get it to fire.

all 5 @ 100yds. no wind flags used.

 

[granite1]

These were done with a Savage mdl 10 in a Choate tactical stock. not bedded.

 

[jepp2]

I see bedding can be $250+, adding significant costs to any stock

First, many of the folks that have already responded have far more expertise than I do.

Second, I believe bedding may help, but it isn't an automatic. If you don't have an issue, bedding isn't going to fix what isn't wrong.

Third, bedding isn't overly complicated. There are many good resources out there (I personally like Richard Franklin), so you can bed your own stock as well as the "experts" if you have some basic mechanical skills. But it does take some time, so I understand why folks charge what they do.

Bedding is only a single factor of many that influence accuracy. Spend your money wisely, unless you can afford everything.

 

[AckleymanII]

Actions can warp a little in heat treat, so like Keith says above, it depends.

I bed mine before I ever fire a shot.

 

[Phil3]

I wish there was more experience and shared knowledge on this topic with regards to flat bottom actions (i.e., Howa). With these, there is no "V-Block". - Phil

 

[Hengehold]

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"

I also use several Barnard actions that I swap in/out of my v-block. It shoots well enough to be competitive at the national level in NRA Highpower LR and international with Palma.

I previously used a stock with a barrel clamp as a bedding solution and there is no noticeable difference in accuracy between barrel clamp and v-block.

-Trevor

 

[Hengehold]

I wish there was more experience and shared knowledge on this topic with regards to flat bottom actions (i.e., Howa). With these, there is no "V-Block". - Phil

In short, if you need an experienced gunsmith to provide a modular mounting solution for a flat bottom action then you need to call John Whidden at Whidden Gunworks.

John Whidden currently markets a system where he mates an Anschutz Precise stock with many different models of actions. One of the actions that he has used with this setup is the Kelbly Panda action. He mounted the flat bottom Panda action onto an adapter plate, then mounted the adapter plate into the stock. He has won NRA High Power LR national championships in recent years with this setup.

-Trevor

 

[Scott Harris]

All of our F-class rifles use Whidden V-blocks, unbedded, and shoot great. I'd bed them if I thought it would make them more accurate. The real advantage of v-blocks is you can use the stock with more than one action. That has come in handy from time to time. The whidden v-blocks are made with ridge lines that really help actions mate to them....even with inconsistencies in both block and action. The Bell & Carlson blocks have also worked well for us: plenty of people using the fully-adjustable Tactical stock in TR with excellent accuracy.

After many years, I am pretty certain stocks and bedding are NOT where accuracy is made or broken: bullets, barrels, and brass....

 

[swadiver]

Y'all better take a real good look at what Granite 1 has going on, and get ya some!
SPJ

I have a Choate Tactical stock as well. i did bed the recoil lug, not sure if it made much difference, but it shoots extremely well also.