Bedding

[SpiritNugent]

I took the stock off one of my model 700's recently to free up the barrel channel as it was touching in several places.

The rear of the barrel and the front of the action looks as if it was bedded.

I have several model 700's, but this one was made in 1972 (an older BDL)

Was this standard on these older models or was this done by the previous owner(s)?

I have several model 700 Classics and BDL's from the '80's-current production, and never saw this before. I am guessing it was installed by somebody. It is very smooth, dark translucent blue/black. I removed all points touching the barrel up until this "bedding"

None of my model 700's have this done to them, but on the other hand, none of them are early production model 700's like this one...

Here's some pics...

 

[yat3b35]

That deffinately doesn't look like a factory bedding job. IMO it was done by previous owner.

 

[shortgrass]

Not a factory job. The major manufactures didn't start adding any glass 'till much later than the '70's. You might consider removing the stuff under the barrel to make the barrel 'float' all the way to the recoil lug/barrel bracket. Heavy barrels can benifit from the support, sporters may or may not. Depends on how accuracy is now, after getting rid of those 'high spots'.

 

[SpiritNugent]

I was very confused when I took it apart to see this, as none of my other 700's in wood had this done.

It looks smooth...

I didn't shoot this rifle yet. I removed the spots touching the barrel up until this
bedding". I guess what I could do is shoot it, if it doesn't shoot with this "bedding", remove everything up until the lug and then seal it.

This bedding job doesn't look bad, there's a few air pockets as you can see, but overall, it's smooth. I am thinking I could see how it shoots with it, if nothing looks promising, remove it.

 

[RonAKA]

You may want to check out this article. It is a 700, but single shot.

http://www.6mmbr.com/pillarbedding.html

 

[SpiritNugent]

Interesting read Ron.

Wondering why this fella before me only bedded the front of the action + beginning of barrel channel?

 

[eddief]

Here's one I finished up a while back

 

[RonAKA]

Wondering why this fella before me only bedded the front of the action + beginning of barrel channel?

I wondered that too, when I saw your photo. I know some do not believe in bedding the tang area. Obviously Richard Franklin does.

 

[RonAKA]

Here's one I finished up a while back

Eddie, that is an excellent job of bedding.

 

[jonbearman]

+1 on eddie's bedding job.Looks like you should be doing it for a living.That is really well done,better than alot of so called professional jobs.

 

[kelbro]

Agree. Excellent work. Obviously not his first time bedding