How Do I Check Bedding?

[Tcon260]

How do I check for "stress free bedding" on a Rem 700? I have several rifles that I had the recoil lug pinned after bedding, and I want to verify that the bedding is still good.

I have heard that a dial indicator is set on the action and the action screws are loosened. Can someone give me some more detail?

How much movement on the dial is typical/acceptable?
Does it matter if the barrel is removed from the action or not?
Any suggestions on how to "secure" the rifle while performing the procedure?
What else do I need to know?

 

[Preacher]

Lock the rifle in a good padded vise and set a good magnetic base dial indicator on the vise and set the point on the receiver or barrel and just loosen up the screws, one at a time-- if it moves at all, even a tiny bit, it is not a stress free bedding platform... The indicator should not move at all if the bedding is correct....

 

[tmbryant]

I made up a clamp that attaches to the barrel consisting of two flat pieces of steel and two bolts. I'll wrap the barrel with a piece of sheetrock paper tape and attach the clamp to the barrel then put a magnetic dial indicator base on to the clamp with the indicator point resting against the forend. Holding the rifle vertically, I'll loosen off the front guard screw. You can alternate between the front and rear guard screw, but usually the front guard screw will tell the tale. I consider the bedding to be stress free if the dial indicator moves no more than .002 of an inch. Mounting the dial indicator on the barrel to check for stress free bedding is a technique that has been used since the days of Warren Page's "The Accurate Rifle". Mounting the indicator on the barrel amplifies the actual amount of movement in the action area. With any amount of movement between the barrel and forend, there will be far less movement between the action and the actual bedding surface.

 

[AlNyhus]

I do it like Mike....magnetic base on the barrel and the indicator on the forearm of the stock. Anything less than .002 is good to go, for me. -Al

 

[WayneShaw]

One would think it would go without saying, but the rifle must be held verticle to check the bedding, or gravity will take over. I don't think you could easily do this with the gun in a vise.