worth bedding a hunting rifle?

[mattri]

At what point does it become worth/not worth the time and effort to bed a hunting rifle?

Syn stock, sporter barrel, factory trigger.

Not a dedicated bench gun, or even a long range varminter.

If a rifle averaged 1 moa would bedding improve accuracy? How much?

 

[JDJones]

it depends alot on the fit it curently has , I have seen custom built walnut stocked rifles that would shoot 3/4 moa and bedding it diden't improve accuracy at all , and i have seen a remington VS (which had an aliminum bedding block and was not supposed to need bedding) have its groups cut in half buy bedding the action.

I feel that its never a "pointless" effort even if the gun doesn't benifit from it as far as shrinking groups it gives me piece of mind if somtning happens and the groups all the sudden to to hell.

I have never seen a factory rifle that did not benifit from having the crown recut and the action properly bedded

 

[shortgrass]

I'll agree with JD, not a pointless endevor. The problem arises when bedding becomes an after thought and accuracy problems are more barrel related than fit of action to stock. I recommend to my customers the barrel be bore scoped so wear, general quality, and many times, corrosion can be assessed before putting time & money into it. Many, like the Wby. Mk.V I scoped yesterday, won't show any gaines because of the pitting & poor suface finish (collects copper) in the barrel. Many, if not most, hunting rifles don't get the care they should. I don't know of any one thing that's a "cure all" but, as a general statement, bedding can help you new or well maintained rifle shoot its best

 

[watercam]

If I had a synthetic stock to glass bed I'd install pillars for sure (not a big deal) and use Steel Bed (Brownell's) in the hope that the stronger bedding would help with the flex one gets in a plastic stock. Rough up the bedding area well to allow the bedding to adhere to the stock.
I believe you would see improvement to a degree. MOA is an awfully good place to begin!

 

[Larryh128]

All of my rifles are bedded because the last thing you need to worry about is a point of impact shift due to changing weather. I see that all of the time in factory rifles. Doesn't cost that much, take the leap. ;D

 

[Preacher]

I'm sure it would do more good than harm, so have right at it...

 

[bozo699]

For what its worth I have seen great improvements in some of my hunting rifles after bedding them, and as Larryh128 pointed out it may help with weather changes.
I have also seen no improved accuracy benefits from it, but the thought of having it done eased my mind.
However I have seen accuracy gone south with a improper bedding job, if you don't know what your doing it is a fairly inexpensive thing to have a qualified smith do for you. JMHOs
Wayne.

 

[Klayton83]

consistency is key. i think this is what bedding gives. because that rifle might shoot 1 moa right now at the range but get extreme cold/hot. and that thing starts to try to move. it will without proper bedding.

 

[mj2evans]

Bed it - good practice and like others say it simply can't hurt. I bedded my cheap Win 70 plastic stock and stiffened the forend with a metal bar and fiberglass filler. Added some weight but fixed that noddle forearm.

Is this cost effiecinet? Likely not but if you are willing to do the work yourself you more likely care about learning than just cost.

 

[minnesota]

I bedded every one of my rifles so far and like having that warm fuzzy feeling inside.
Here is a link on how to bed a rifle.

http://www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/topics/3003214/DIY_bedding_M77_pic_heavy#Post3003214

 

[OldRifleman]

I bedded every one of my rifles so far and like having that warm fuzzy feeling inside.
Here is a link on how to bed a rifle.

http://www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/topics/3003214/DIY_bedding_M77_pic_heavy#Post3003214

I definitely agree.In my case it has always helped the groups.I always bed 1" forward of the recoil lug back and float the barrel.Just the way I do it.

 

[mattri]

Good tips, thanks.

 

[spitfire_er]

I only have two hunting rifles that are not bedded. One is a custom Ruger 77 MkII in a houge stock. It shoots 1/2" groups so I never felt the need to bed it.

The other is a custom 1910 mauser with a tightly fitted stock. It will shoot around 3/4" and in this case, again. I didn't feel the need to bed it. I've tossed the idea around on this rifle though.

All my other rifles are bedded.

 

[whiskey08]

sometimes u can see alot of slop when u dry fire and the crosshairs jump around alot. That would be a good reason to bed.

 

[tuck2]

I live in wide open country so long shots can be expected. When I miss a shot I know its me not the rifle or ammo. I glass bedded a rifle back in the 60s and most all of the used and new bolt action rifles I have gotten since then have the action glass bedded, the barrel free floated and the trigger adjusted. I never have experienced a decrease in accuracy , most all showed an increase in accuracy. If I always hunted in an area where 150 yards was a long shot and had a rifle that would do two inch or less 100 Yd groups Id not give the rifle a tune up.

 

[SongdogHunter]

Accuracy is never a worthless endeavor if you ask me.

SDH

 

[Bnhpr]

At what point does it become worth/not worth the time and effort to bed a hunting rifle?

Syn stock, sporter barrel, factory trigger.

Not a dedicated bench gun, or even a long range varminter.

If a rifle averaged 1 moa would bedding improve accuracy? How much?

Clamp a starrett dial indicator to your bbl, just in front of the stock. Put the stylus on the stock as close to the front action screw as possible.

Loosen the screw, and see how much it moves. A good bedding job, and it should move less than .010".

With a tupperware stock, and a factory tube, I don't see a lot to gain by bedding personally....unless your doing it yourself and you gain know how.


Ben