Bedding

[Sundown]

What material and How do you get that smooth...Glass like finish on your bedding jobs!

 

[Dud]

If you want glass, the part you are bedding has to be glass smooth and your release agent has to be working perfectly.

I think I might actually prefer a little tooth, like the way they crack connecting rod caps these days so the fit is perfect.

 

[SSL]

Acra-glass gel. Use enough for a bit of excess to be evenly pressed out to avoid voids in the material. Be sure to allow it to cure according to instruction time. I have also found that as Acra-glass sits on the shelf unused for extended periods it can be slow to dry and leave a "mealy" looking surface, so use fresh compound.

 

[1911nut]

Devcon 10110

I set the action and barrel into the bedding to the desired elevation in the stock and in alignment to the stock with bedding screws. I hold the action in place with electric tape. I tried surgical rubber tubing but got better results with tape.

 

[Fast14riot]

MarineTex or Devcon 10110. The bedding will replicate the finish on the receiver.

 

[Alex Wheeler]

Use any epoxy you want, they have different properties but any can be made shiny if thats the goal. Shiny action, buff off the release agent, no tape or clamps (unless you want stress). Heres one with aluminum devcon, but, ti, steel, marine tex, jb, ext all can work. Its not the epoxy, its the process. But, IMO, focus on stress free accurate work before worrying about the picture quality

 

[hillbill]

Many use different epoxies as has been mentioned, they all work a little different. Many think bedding is voodoo but it just takes practice to get good repeatable results. I use Marinetex mostly and Kiwi clear for release agent, never had one stick, always come out smooth and shiney.

 

[olddav]

Try a thin film of oil and a light source approximately 25° to the right with a 45° elevation. . As others have said the bedding material will mirror the surface if the action use during the bedding process.

 

[Alex Wheeler]

I wouldnt recommend oil! LOL. No camera tricks needed. Oil getting into the wood or composite is not a good thing. I usually wipe them with alcohol and blow them dry and assemble them clean. Then try to take them apart as little as possible.

 

[Shrek]

Use any epoxy you want, they have different properties but any can be made shiny if thats the goal. Shiny action, buff off the release agent, no tape or clamps (unless you want stress). Heres one with aluminum devcon, but, ti, steel, marine tex, jb, ext all can work. Its not the epoxy, its the process. But, IMO, focus on stress free accurate work before worrying about the picture quality
View attachment 1129650

Alex , if you don’t use tape what do you do to hold the action in place while the bedding hardens ?

 

[Alex Wheeler]

Gravity

 

[Dusty Stevens]

^^^ The correct way

 

[Alex Wheeler]

I think theres too much focus today on making rifles look good and not enough on the mechanics of what makes them shoot good. Consumers need to look past shiny bedding jobs (yes I want mine looking perfect, but its for cosmetics). They are simply a product of a shiny action without excessive release agent to cloud the finish, nothing more. Theres nothing in a picture that you can see thats a sign of whats important unfortunately.

 

[olddav]

I wouldnt recommend oil! LOL. No camera tricks needed.

That’s the problem with cutting edge humor, sometimes your just misunderstood.

 

[Cigarcop]

Gravity

Exactly!

 

[Fast14riot]

Gravity

Do you use tape around the barrel to keep it from dropping into the barrel channel?

 

[Sundown]

Thanks for all the responses!....My bedding jobs shoot fine just don't get the mirror finish
Thanks again

 

[boltfluter]

Do you use tape around the barrel to keep it from dropping into the barrel channel?

That, and to keep it centered in the barrel channel.

Paul

 

[Boisblancboy]

Any good videos on correct bedding procedure?

 

[ngb1787]

I think theres too much focus today on making rifles look good and not enough on the mechanics of what makes them shoot good. Consumers need to look past shiny bedding jobs (yes I want mine looking perfect, but its for cosmetics). They are simply a product of a shiny action without excessive release agent to cloud the finish, nothing more. Theres nothing in a picture that you can see thats a sign of whats important unfortunately.

If I may add, if you have good equipment, if you have good reloading skills, go out to the range and learn mirage and wind reading skills. I shoot fclass, take a few days at the range and develop a load that you are comfortable with, it will never be perfect, so dont worry about it. Go practice as much as you can, the wind flags and mirage need to be your friend, improve those wind reading skills and you will be in the running at every match you shoot.