Remington 700 floating and bedding

[Joe H]

On my slightly used Remington 700 ADL, 30-06....I know what floating the barrel is by sanding out the stock. But "bedding the action"....is that seating
the action in the stock solidly by using the oozing epoxy mixture? Does this stablize the action better? This combined with floating barrel makes for more accuracy? Is that the whole point? thanks

 

[djl4570]

Bedding is glass bedding the action into the stock. Gunsmiths do this by painting the action and trigger guard up with release and pulling it into the stock after painting the inside of the stock with fiberglass resin. Once it sets you take out the action, clean away any oozed excess and you have a perfect fit.

Pillar bedding adds aluminum pillers inside the stock between the trigger gaurd screws and the action. Replaces compressable wood with less compressable aluminum. I have a Sako target rifle that chronically shot silver dollar sized groups. After pillar bedding the action, lapping the bolt lugs and dressing the crown the rifle shoots quarter to nickle sized groups.

 

[mmike87]

I read that it's important to properly and precisely torque the stock screws after replacing the action in the stock. I assume this is important despite the bedding method used? If so, who sells an inexpensive inch-pound torque wrench? I found a couple that were over $200 ... a little high if you ask me.

 

[scott.cr]

Get a Craftsman torque wrench... the inch lbs. versions are under $100 and you can get them in 1/4" and 3/8" drive. I suggest 3/8" drive so you lose less torque repeatability if using a socket extension. (The extension will absorb some of the torque and cause you to apply lower actual torque to the bolt/screw.)

I've tried the $19 wrenches from Harbor Freight, but they are not calibratable and not precise nor accurate. But, they are better than not using one just as long as you can stay over 30% of the min torque rating and under 70% of the max torque rating.

EDIT: I've also had awful luck with SNAP-ON... believe it or not. They are calibratable though, and the Snap-On guy will do it right in his truck, and they don't charge you for the service. But they lose calibration quickly. I've had best overall luck with Craftsman as far as price and retention of accuracy.

 

[djl4570]

I read that it's important to properly and precisely torque the stock screws after replacing the action in the stock.

The amount of torque can make a big difference if the stock material between the trigger guard and receiver is a compressible material such as wood. This is less of a difference with a bedded rifle but still a factor. It becomes insignificant with a pillar bedded rifle because there is so little distortion of the stock material. It is still a good idea to use a torque wrench so you can tighten the screws down evenly and torque them the same amount.

Sinclair International sells a nice inch pound torque wrench but it's probably the fancy $200.00 one.