Bedding Blocks

[ReedG]

What's the current thinking on aluminum bedding blocks? My interest is in reference to a Savage Target action and a Whidden block.

 

[NorCalMikie]

Had been thinking about a V bolck for a while. Ordered up a couple and put them on the shelf till the right stock came along.
Got a new stock that looked like it was inlet by a drunken beaver. Good candidate for my Whidden V block. ;D
Hogged out the "beaver" inlet and stuffed the V Block in place. Spaced the barrel and tang to where I wanted it and put the goop to it.
Rock solid and the action goes back in the same place "every time". Got another V Block for my XP action. Now, just waiting for the right candidate stock to come along.

 

[in2deep]

Would you mind sharing what kind of goop you used?
Thanks.

 

[NorCalMikie]

Lots of good "goop" out there but I prefer Miles - Gilbert Bedrock. Mixes almost clear and you can color it to be close to the stock color. Got it in 16 oz. containers that should last me for a "long" time.

 

[jhord]

I have 3 of the Whidden block setups now, 2 Savages and a Remington. (actually a Stiller Predator V) Work fine for me. Would the rifles shoot better if they were traditionally pillar bedded? I don't know. I used Devcon to glue them in, solid as rock.

 

[Ing. Michael W. Mayerl]

What's the current thinking on aluminum bedding blocks? My interest is in reference to a Savage Target action and a Whidden block.

V-Blocks + round receivers is the best possible bedding method I know.
We use a lot of Accuracy AICS stocks for Rem700 actions - also V-Block design - no fitting, no bedding and always perfekt accuracy.

Important: the V-Blocks must be glued in the stock with epoxy !!!

 

[nhm16]

What's the current thinking on aluminum bedding blocks? My interest is in reference to a Savage Target action and a Whidden block.

I wish I could tell you, but I ordered a stock for my Savage target action, and the reseller only sold it with the Whidden block. However, he installed it crooked, so that the barrel would point visibly upwards when the action was sitting in the stock. I had my smith fix it, but now it's no longer works like a bedding block, since he had to mill it down to be level and skim bedded it

On the other hand, I also have a tactical style gun with Stiller action sitting in Manners MCS-T5A stock with the mini-chassis, which is a also a bedding block setup, and it's easily one of my most accurate guns.

I learned in both cases that installation is (obviously) critical, and not to assume or take it for granted. The Manners also came with the mini-chassis installed crooked (in this case the barrel wasn't centered in the channel), and had to go back. To their credit I got what seems to be a new stock.

 

[ReedG]

Michael, it appears the Whidden block for the Savage Target action has pillar bedding made into it. Any experience with that?

 

[double g]

I have installed 3 of the whidden blocks in my savage target action stocks. They have pillars that are seperate from the block and can be cut to fit what ever stock you have. I glued them in then came back and bedded the action in with devcon, they are rock solid and you can torque the screws to what ever you want to.

 

[RJinTexas]

I asked a couple of highly respected gun smiths their feelings regarding aluminum bedding block one stated that they're ok as long as ya skim bed them. The other stated that the first thing he does is hog out every aluminum block where it will provide a good base for the glass bedding. He said that a very high percentage of the blocks in factory stocks are not properly aligned and the three custom stocks he'd worked on weren't a great deal better, he stating remember your gun's accuracy starts with it's foundation. So I'm staying with pillars and glass why spend the extra bucks on something your going to have to rework and glass bed anyway?

RJ

 

[ReedG]

RJ, I have a few concerns myself, but overall I think a properly installed v-block is the way for me. I have plan for a Savage-action based platform that is not only switch-barrel but switch the whole barreled action. I believe a competent benchrest gunsmith (like Jim Borden or Gary Long, etc.) can install a Whidden block right. It will take some testing to find what the correct tension is for the action screws, but I am going to give the block a try, probably as a "winter project" at this point. I have three glued-in rigs now and I don't like 'em. If the block doesn't work, oh well, I will have had some enjoyment from trying ...