Someone help me understand

[Cimarron2011]

I get how a custom barrel, trued or custom action, pillar bedded free float stock, custom trigger can improve accuracy, but what's the deal with over-size recoil lugs? How does a recoil lug add into the accuracy equation?

Thanks in advance.

-Cimarron

 

[CZ550]

The thickness probably does little for accuracy improvement. A precision ground (true and square) might help retain alignment of trued surfaces of receiver face and barrel shoulder.

 

[nicholst55]

Some folks feel that recoil lugs can actually twist slightly during firing. I'm told that this is, indeed, possible, but unlikely with anything short of a .338 Lapua or similar cartridge. A surface-ground factory lug will do the same job for most cartridges. If it makes you feel better, go ahead and install one in your varmint or BR rifle. All you're really doing is making a dent in your wallet.

Just MHO, based on what I've read and been told by rifle builders.

 

[bozo699]

Cimarron,
Have you ever pulled down a factory action? the fit between the action and barrel is terrible, it's all part of truing a action and it has a lot to do with accuracy, just think about it,... if the action is not true,...and it isn't on a factory action and if the lug isn't true,...and it isn't,...and if the threads on the action and barrel are sloppy,...and they are on a factory action and barrel,...when you screw it all together the barrel will not be 100% square to the action will it?? No it will not!!
Wayne.

P.s sorry I never finished, had a phone call and got side tracked, so if it's not 100% true it needs to be true, so we clean up the bearing surface on the action, recut the threads with a single point and while were at it we might as well replace the lug with a bigger one and have it surface ground, now assuming all the other work was done to the action and bolt we now have a factory barreled action that will shoot to it's full potential.

 

[TheBlueEyedBear]

Wait, wait!! Is it pinned or not?? See, just another one of those; well, maybe. After I have approximately 100 more years of shooting experience I may be able to address this question. First and equally important (at my stage of experience) is the color of eye shadow you use while shooting correct for that hour of day.

Really, how does it get down to this where we ask about thickness of recoil lugs when the sub-five inch group at 1K hasn't been shot yet. I know everybody wants the perfect build, but is there 'The' voice who says what is actually the proven best. All we can do is do the research!! Then, do more. Then we can make the decision on how thick, which spring to use on the trigger, and so on. Then we proceed with our build and hope for the best.

Did something not turn out the best??? That's when we start our next build. The custom rifle builders love us.

Good luck with your build and best wishes for great success.

 

[DOGCAPPER]

Assuming you are getting into the finer points...My .02 is that size of the lug is not as important as the bearing surface contact...For hunting and club shooting 40 to 80 % of each lug should be sufficient...Higher up the food chain more contact takes out a variable...LT

 

[Minesweeper3433]

I thicker recoil lug is extremely useful if you intend to use used factory barrels like what you can find on this very forum. Instead of having to re-cut the chamber on those barrels after truing your action just use a thick recoil lug and set the shoulder back on barrels instead of cutting the chamber again. Saves lots of money on reamers. And pinning just holds the recoil lug in place so you can swap out the barrels really easy like. You don't even have to remove it from the stock as long as you didn't cinch it down with retard strength. No matter what for the rest of my rifles they will always have pinned or integral recoil lugs. Just glad I learned this before 25! I am actually doing research now into a single shot action that can chamber all rounds from 22 hornet to 338 lapua by changing out bolts and barrels. One rifle to rule them all. Barrels take up much less space in a gun case than a gun.

 

[Cimarron2011]

Thanks to all for your feedback. I see so many descriptions of custom rifles that include "Brand X" heavy recoil lug that I just had to ask. Your answers give me a lot of confidence in my gunsmith. I am building my first custom on a Remington action. I asked him about which recoil lug he recommended, and he said for a .308 Win he would save me a few bucks by using the factory lug. He also said once he ground it and trued to the action and pinned it we would be good to go the next time we rebarrel the gun.

Sounds like I have a pretty darn good Smith working for me!

 

[doc gordon]

When truing an action you are getting every thing straight and consistant! With a factory rem (I havn't measured others) differences in thickness, shape diameter all (or any) of these issues can hurt bedding a barreled action. Rem senderos seem to have more consistant lugs. Spend the extra money...