Bedding question

[atkins08]

I just finished my first bedding job on a Defiance action with a laminate long range benchrest stock. I followed the video suggested on this sight. Everything looks like it turned out well but I have a question about the area in front of the recoil lug. The video showed bedding about 2 inches in front of the lug, or on the barrel side of the lug. I did this but now my barrel touches in those 2 inches. Is this going to hurt accuracy? I understand supporing it, but seems like it would be better to be free floated the whole way.

Thanks

 

[Ggmac]

I would shoot it as is . If it's not up to previous or expected accuracy it can be easily removed .

 

[Auto-X Fil]

If you bed in front of the lug, the barrel will touch there. This is a common approach, especially with heavier barrels. If you have a 30" heavy-profile tube, I would say that's ideal. Even with a thinner barrel, it's not a bad thing. As Ggmac said, shoot it!

 

[Preacher]

Nothing touching the barrel is your best bet....

 

[mikegaiz]

I have done many bedding jobs both with 2 inches and not. I have seen no difference in accuracy. But if you replace the original barrel you have to remove or leave space to float the new barrel.

 

[B Nettesheim]

If bedding in front of the recoil lug would hurt your accuracy that would mean the barrel is moving in front of the lug. Now imagine trying to bend a piece of steel 1.250 in diameter 2 inches long and the amount of pressure it would take to do that.

 

[jds holler]

If bedding in front of the recoil lug would hurt your accuracy that would mean the barrel is moving in front of the lug. Now imagine trying to bend a piece of steel 1.250 in diameter 2 inches long and the amount of pressure it would take to do that.

How about heat expansion in that area?? Possible cause of stress if bedded? jd

 

[B Nettesheim]

How about heat expansion in that area?? Possible cause of stress if bedded? jd

Growth in diameter i would guess is very small. If the bedding right in front of the action is only an inch or two i consider it an extension of the action.

 

[Barrel Nut]

Some guys bed an inch or two of the barrel and some don't. I've done it both ways and I'm not sure it makes a lot of difference. I decide based on the shape of the action. Sometimes you can bed nearly the entire action including each side of the trigger box and behind that all the way to the aft end. Other times, you can't properly bed aft of the front part of the trigger box and the bedded length is a little shorter than you might like. In that case I bed a bit of the barrel. Suit yourself.

 

[atkins08]

Thanks for the help, and all the replies!

 

[eddief]

Alot of the bedding you see where it's in front of the recoil pad is not touching. Tape is ran on the barrel for clearance, and its being done purely for cosmetics to close up gaps. I personally like floated all the way back to the lug.

 

[Puzzaz01]

With longer heavier barrels, bedding the front side of the lug is in theory to support the added weight of say a 1.250 diameter barrel. Does it work? Maybe.... I've seen plenty with and without. As Ggmac stated ... Try it and if you don't feel it's shooting as you expected, just remove it.
I hope it works for you.

Darrin