Need aluminum block if bedding?

[Bawlmore]

Hi all, long time reader, first time posting. My apologizes if this post is in the wrong place, but I figured since I'm talking about a varmint rifle and stock it belongs here.

I currently have a Remington 700 BDL chambered in 22-250. My plan is to shoot it until the barrel burns out and then eventually rechamber (probably something in 6.5). The current factory stock doesn't work well for me since I'm a lefty (right handed cheek rollover makes my cheek weld very poor) and I've decided to go with a nice wood laminate stock.

My final three choices are the Boyd's Pro Varmint, Bobby Hart LRT, and Bobby Hart LRT Accublock. I'm new to the world of "bedding" and I was wondering if an aluminum block was needed if I plan on glass bedding the action. My second question is: can anyone confirm for any of these stocks if you can operate the bolt with your right hand while keeping your left hand on the handle/trigger without busting up your left thumb? That's the biggest annoyance with my current stock and I'd like the new stock to have a deep enough thumb inlet to avoid this.

Thanks for any guidance you can provide!

 

[Ledd Slinger]

No, you do not need an aluminum bedding block and No, you should not use "glass" bedding, and No, you should not hit your thumb if you move it out the way.

Aluminum blocks are recommended for heavy recoiling rifles. Nothing in a 6.5 chambering with a short action and standard bolt face is gonna have heavy recoil. Devcon Steel Puddy is the only way to go for bedding material. And if you don't wrap your thumb around the wrist of the stock (which there is no reason you should be) you won't hit your thumb with the bolt shroud. Good luck

 

[Bawlmore]

Thanks for the response. I thought glass bedding was using epoxy, which is what devcon steel putty, yet you said not to glass bed?

Any advice on which brand to go with, or are these brands fairly close in quality?

 

[jonbearman]

I think what he means is don't use acra glass made by brownells and use true epoxy such as devcon, marine tex etc in place of acraglas. I use and like marine tex and have used the devcon but I see no difference whatsoever using these products. Have you looked at HS Precision stocks with the bedding block?

 

[Bawlmore]

I have looked at the HS stocks and they are really nice, I have another rifle that I'm going to work on down the road (700 SPS) that could use one of their stocks. However, for this particular rifle I'd like to stick with wood.

 

[Ledd Slinger]

Any advice on which brand to go with, or are these brands fairly close in quality?

Devcon Steel Puddy 10110 to be exact.

If on a budget, Boyd's makes some nice sporter/varmint style stocks. I have the Bobby Hart LRT (no aluminum block) in walnut on a 243 LBC Turbo 40 rifle and it is a very nice stock for the money as well. Only thing to consider with the Bobby Hart is if you want it to ride bags. The rounded forend doesn't do so well on a front rest when trying to return to battery.

 

[timeout]

The aluminum block is good. My preference is pillar bedding. Here is an informative article from this site:

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

Another take on pillar bedding:

http://erniethegunsmith.com/catalog/i139.html

Have fun with your project and Happy Hunting!

 

[Bawlmore]

I feel confident that I can epoxy bed on my own, however the pillar bedding might be tricky for me... which is why I considered the aluminum block. I thought they were there more to prevent the stock from changing due to the enviroment/weather than the recoil of the rifle.

I'll be sure to read both those articles!

 

[Dusty Stevens]

Even the aluminum block should be bedded

 

[K22]

I have four heavy barrel varmint rifles with aluminum bedding blocks, all Rem Model 700's, three 223's and one 22 250.

Three are factory furnished stock which I believe are the H-S brand. One is an after market Bell and Carlson stock. All shoot under 1/2 moa with tailored reloads. Whether this is due to the stock I cannot say. I'm not an expert or rifle smith.

However if I was starting from scratch, I'd opt for pillar bedding since my rifle smith, who is an expert, highly endorses that type of bedding for precision rifles.

One thing for sure, some sort of bedding is highly desirable for precision rifles. I have more that one rifle that wouldn't group well improve dramatically after bedding it or changing stocks with some kind of integral bedding.
Example, a 243 Rem which I had trouble grouping under an 1 1/2 improved to under an inch when I replaced the factory plastic stock with a Hogue pillar bedded stock.

 

[boltfluter]

A bedding block and skim bedding is a great combination. I have several that are tack drivers. ;D

Regards, Paul

www.boltfluting.com

 

[paperpuncher]

A bedding block and skim bedding is a great combination. I have several that are tack drivers. ;D

Regards, Paul

www.boltfluting.com

I agree 100%. To the OP if your not comfortable with pillar bedding and are set on doing the bedding job yourself I thing skim bedding over a block is the way to go