bedding the first 4' of the barrel channel?

[jaredc]

I am having a heavy barrel put on a REM700 SA. I am considering bedding the first 4" of the barrel channel to help support the weight of the barrel. Are there any disadvantages to doing this verses free floating the whole barrel?

 

[eddief]

What is "heavy"

I think you will find most here free float the whole barrel, from the front of the recoil lug on.. but it is done both ways, and guns do shoot very well both ways if all else is done correctly. A Rem 700 will have no problem supporting a regular heavy varmint contour as long as it isn't Extremely long. Hope this helps, you may get different opinions.

Eddie Fosnaugh

 

[tenring]

Float entire bbl first; if accuracy is not acceptable, glass bed the first 2" ahead of receiver. If you are still not satisfied with accuracy, bed the first inch at tip of stock,or use electrician's tape). I like Brownell's Accra-Glas gel, because it is easy to scrape out.

 

[jaredc]

I am not sure exactly how much the barrel will weight, but it is 1.250" for the first 5" and then stright tapers to .975" at 27".

 

[cntryboy1289]

If it is just 27" you should have no problem with bedding up to the balance point of the rifle. Check it minus the scope and bed up to that point of the barrel where it balances from. If you go more than 30" is when you might consider using a barrel block instead of bedding the first 4" of the barrel, but it is a choice to make.

 

[jb1000br]

That barrel will weigh a good 8lbs

4" is a little too much IMO.

I bedded my 8lb+ barrel on my viper a little over 2" ahead of the lug, but will not do it the next time. The viper has enough thread and bedding surface to anchor the barrel IMO.

Now a rem...

I would bed it about 2-3" ahead of the lug, then TAKE IT OUT IF YOU DONT LIKE IT.

It is easier to remove then to add.

if you add bedding later, there is a better chance to add stress to the setup.

so, bed more first, and remove it if you dont like it.

YMMV,
JB

 

[jdavis62]

lf it is a wood stock l would NOT bed under the barrel...
just my thought...

 

[jaredc]

Thanks for all the advice. It's a Richard's model 001 wood laminate. why not with a wood stock?

 

[Murray Brook]

I realize this is an old thread. I was doing some research on the topic and it came up. I have a Rem 700 with a 26" 1.230 barrel all the way that is free floated to the recoil lug. I was wondering if this puts too much stress on the action and if I would be better off bedding an 1 1/2" or so in front of the lug . What are your thoughts. TKS
The action is glass and pillar bedded.

 

[Dusty Stevens]

Nah you wont overstress it. You cant buy a big enough barrel to notice it if its not bedded but if it is you certainly will notice

 

[tobnpr]

I also bed the first inch or so ahead of the lug on bull barrels.
IMO, that area directly ahead of the breech when full diameter isn't going to resonate like the rest of the barrel anyway and does add some support so you're not hanging 8 or 10 lbs of barrel directly off the receiver face.

Someday I'm going to find an article by an "old timer" (wasn't Whelen, but someone else) that I'd read where this had been studied...

 

[carlsbad]

Never bed a barrel.

 

[swd]

Us F class guys hang 32” straight 1.25” bull barrels off 700’s with no bedding under the barrel without any problems..

 

[Dusty Stevens]

Us F class guys hang 32” straight 1.25” bull barrels off 700’s with no bedding under the barrel without any problems..

Way less problems than if you did happen to bed it

 

[Mike 243]

I've never bedded any of my benchrest rifles in front of the recoil lug and I run 30" barrels.

 

[nmkid]

Back in the 60s and 70s it was quite alright to bed a barrel the entire length of the barrel channel. Wonder what changed? I've only had one rifle with the barrel was completely bedded. That rifle consistently shot ragged hole groups with a Douglas barrel. My claim to fame with that rifle was crushing a fly at 100 yards in front of 10 other shooters.

 

[carlsbad]

Back in the 60s and 70s it was quite alright to bed a barrel the entire length of the barrel channel. Wonder what changed?

accuracy expectations.

 

[Dusty Stevens]

accuracy expectations.

.350 aggs used to win back then

 

[carlsbad]

And I've had barrels that moved as they heated up and I managed it pretty well by knowing what they we r e going to do. But that isn't optimal