Which stock for a Rem 700 Varminter

[Bulseyetom]

I need to replace a stock on a Rem 700 and was looking at the HS Precision or Bell and Carlson with the aluminum bedding blocks. I called HS and they do not recommend bedding but I have read reports that some rifles shoot better bedded and other reports where there was no difference. This rifle has the potential to be a real tackdriver with a trued action and custom barrel. If you have to bed anyway, is there any advantage to using a stock with the bedding block? Looking for response from actual owners of various stocks if possible as we all have been told that a bedded stock is better but can anybody dispute that? Thanks for any help. Tom

 

[short_mag]

I have several Remington 700's with HS Precision stocks. I noticed that when I installed the barreled action with the action screws fairly tight, I could slide the rifle back before the recoil lug came in contact with the bedding block,maybe .005 to .010's). Shot before and after bedding the actions. In all cases, the rifles shot better after bedding ~ 25%+. Great stocks - but I think that they should be bedded for maximum accuracy.

 

[NateHaler]

I have several Remington 700's with HS Precision stocks. I noticed that when I installed the barreled action with the action screws fairly tight, I could slide the rifle back before the recoil lug came in contact with the bedding block,maybe .005 to .010's).

Which is why you should ALWAYS have the stock pointing up, with the barreled action bearing down and the recoil lug thus seated against the mortise in the aluminum skeleton, before you tighten the action screws to 45-65 INCH pounds.

 

[Bulseyetom]

Nate, very good point. With that in mind, would you bed the aluminum block or not? Tom

 

[Bulseyetom]

That makes me think of another point, is the recoil lug mortise made large enough to accept oversize recoil lugs? I haven't bedded an action in years but I always left room on the sides, front and bottom by applying a layer of tape to ensure that I only had contact with the rear of the lug. Tom

 

[fdshuster]

Tom: Bought my first after-market fiberglass stock about 5 yrs. ago: an HS Hunter Benchrest for one of my 6BRs. Aluminum bedding block,'good' drop-in fit, but needed a little attention in spots. Then replaced the $2.95 synthetic stock on a Savage mdl 10FP w/ my first Bell & Carlson Medalist 'Tactical', there's that word again), again, drop-in w/ just a little touch up & skim bedding. Identical B&C for another 6BR, and just replaced the laminated stock on a Savage 12BVSS. I'm very happy with them all. Fair price on the B&Cs,, $218 delivered), 2 week delivery, not 6 to 8 months, big improvement on the way the rifle rides the front & rear bags, etc. Only complaint about the B&Cs, and it's nit-picking), would be the very high comb: makes it difficult to get a straight shot into the bore with the cleaning rod, especially when using a good bore guide. Also more difficult when wanting to take a quick look in the bore w/ my 'Hawkeye' borescope, but all things considered, consider them all to be an improvement over the factory stocks. With all that being said, should have mentioned: First HS & second B&C are on Rem. 700s, first & third B&C are on Savages. Overall, very satisfied with them all.

 

[short_mag]

Tom -

Nate makes a good point. If you are not going to bed the action and you don't mind having the action screws positioned incorrectly - you can probably get away with the stock the way it is... But it does not take much do bed it properly, so that nothing is bound up and the action sits correctly. As far as the oversized recoil lugs, you will have to open up the slot to accept it - not a big deal. I have used Tubb's lugs and they are both longer and thicker - bedding was not a problem with a little extra work. As with any rifle/stock the torque applied to the action screws is quite important.

Erik