Changes After Bedding Recoil Lug

[General RE LEE]

Your choice but any of the Howa minis I have worked up loads for are well under .5. They were all bedded and had metal bottom metal so you can get proper torque.

How many shots are in your groups? I can get sub .5 three shot groups but I usually shoot 5-10 shots. Here were the first 3 shots today. I wouldn't tell anyone it's a sub .5" gun though.

Here are the first three shots yesterday

 

[Alibiiv]

This is what I consider properly bedded. Just popped out, not cleaned up yet. I want support under the first part of the chamber, 1-2" depending on barrel weight.. The tang is done at the same time. Pillars are Devcon. Action Does not touch between the front and rear, basically free floated.

View attachment 639178

Really a nice clean job. Did you use regular Devcon. That is really the neatest looking bedding. I've been using AcraGlas and I am looking for another product.

 

[Dean2]

Really a nice clean job. Did you use regular Devcon. That is really the neatest looking bedding. I've been using AcraGlas and I am looking for another product.

Yes that is Devcon Steel bedding. I use Carnuba wax, apply, dry, buff to a shine and then do that a second time. That, and letting the Devcon set for 48 hours, is part of what gives the Devcon its smooth finish. It also means the action releases easily.

General Lee- a rifle with a varmint weight or heavier barrel, I average the results of 4x5 shot groups. Any barrel weight lighter than that I use 6x3 shot group average. If I want to be able to shoot 5 shot groups with a sporter or lighter factory barrel, I bed the entire barrel channel to reduce the effect of heat walking the POI.

That said the dispersion in your groups does not look like heat walk to me. IF the gun is properly bedded, I would be working on seating depth to tighten those groups.

 

[General RE LEE]

Yes that is Devcon Steel bedding. I use Carnuba wax, apply, dry, buff to a shine and then do that a second time. That, and letting the Devcon set for 48 hours, is part of what gives the Devcon its smooth finish. It also means the action releases easily.

General Lee- a rifle with a varmint weight or heavier barrel, I average the results of 4x5 shot groups. Any barrel weight lighter than that I use 6x3 shot group average. If I want to be able to shoot 5 shot groups with a sporter or lighter factory barrel, I bed the entire barrel channel to reduce the effect of heat walking the POI.

That said the dispersion in your groups does not look like heat walk to me. IF the gun is properly bedded, I would be working on seating depth to tighten those groups.

I got the sporter barrel so I am going to start working on 3 shot averages.

 

[Alibiiv]

Yes that is Devcon Steel bedding. I use Carnuba wax, apply, dry, buff to a shine and then do that a second time. That, and letting the Devcon set for 48 hours, is part of what gives the Devcon its smooth finish. It also means the action releases easily.

General Lee- a rifle with a varmint weight or heavier barrel, I average the results of 4x5 shot groups. Any barrel weight lighter than that I use 6x3 shot group average. If I want to be able to shoot 5 shot groups with a sporter or lighter factory barrel, I bed the entire barrel channel to reduce the effect of heat walking the POI.

That said the dispersion in your groups does not look like heat walk to me. IF the gun is properly bedded, I would be working on seating depth to tighten those groups.

Thank you for the feedback on the Devcon. Devcon Steel is the name of the product to get. Is there an outlet where I can purchase it. I did see some on Amazon, not certain if it is the same stuff. Again I am totally impressed with your bedding job. I have a couple of rifles I've already bedded that I am considering rebedding with this stuff. What is the sanding and the cleanup like, wood to bedding junction?

 

[Dean2]

Thank you for the feedback on the Devcon. Devcon Steel is the name of the product to get. Is there an outlet where I can purchase it. I did see some on Amazon, not certain if it is the same stuff. Again I am totally impressed with your bedding job. I have a couple of rifles I've already bedded that I am considering rebedding with this stuff. What is the sanding and the cleanup like, wood to bedding junction?

I use Hoppes 9 on a paper towel and Que-tips to clean up wet Devcon squeeze out. This is what a stock looks like prior to bedding. Holes are made with a Dremel and small wood bit. Tang area has not been prepped yet, but was before bedding.

The product is Devcon 10110. Ebay, Amazon etc are all sources. Shop around though as there is a big price variation. A one pound tub will do at least 10 rifles. If you heat the Devcon by sitting the tub in hot water or using a heat gun GENTLY, makes it much easier to mix.

 

[ntsqd]

As I've pointed out repeatedly, the Dev-Con Aluminum putty is actually stronger than the Steel Putty. And it won't rust. Working with it is the same. I just wish that getting the mixture ratio correct for either of them was easier.

 

[Dean2]

As I've pointed out repeatedly, the Dev-Con Aluminum putty is actually stronger than the Steel Putty. And it won't rust. Working with it is the same. I just wish that getting the mixture ratio correct for either of them was easier.

If you mix by weight you will get the proper ratio. That said, I eyeball the mix but eyeballing it does take a lot of practice. I have never had the Devcon Steel rust, but then again, none of my rifles have ever rusted either. If you are getting rust you aren't looking after the firearm correctly.

 

[Alibiiv]

I use Hoppes 9 on a paper towel and Que-tips to clean up wet Devcon squeeze out. This is what a stock looks like prior to bedding. Holes are made with a Dremel and small wood bit. Tang area has not been prepped yet, but was before bedding.

The product is Devcon 10110. Ebay, Amazon etc are all sources. Shop around though as there is a big price variation. A one pound tub will do at least 10 rifles. If you heat the Devcon by sitting the tub in hot water or using a heat gun GENTLY, makes it much easier to mix.

View attachment 639482

I cannot thank you enough for this information, I'll be getting the Devcon soon. When I do my Rugers I will also remove about 1/16 th of an inch of wood that is underneath the recoil lug. The entire recoil lug gets encapsulated with bedding compound.

 

[ntsqd]

If you mix by weight you will get the proper ratio. That said, I eyeball the mix but eyeballing it does take a lot of practice. I have never had the Devcon Steel rust, but then again, none of my rifles have ever rusted either. If you are getting rust you aren't looking after the firearm correctly.

I've never had one rust either, but the potential is always there.

 

[Dean2]

I cannot thank you enough for this information, I'll be getting the Devcon soon. When I do my Rugers I will also remove about 1/16 th of an inch of wood that is underneath the recoil lug. The entire recoil lug gets encapsulated with bedding compound.

Look VERY carefully at the ruger. Many have an angled recoil lug. This can cause a mechanical lock if you aren't careful.

Same is true of the recoil lug on many Mausers. They are often a few thou wider at the bottom than the top. Can't see it easily with the naked eye but unless you dress the lug to be the same width at the bottom, it is enough to lock it in place.

 

[Dr. Vette]

Devcon Steel also does get hard with age.
It might be enough to do 10 rifles, but if you wait 2 years between projects you'll probably be buying new material.
Given the fact that it has tripled in price, that's a bigger deal than it used to be.

I've more recently been using ProBed 2000 with great results.

Pro-Bed 2000 Stock Bedding Epoxy

The Ultimate Stock Bedding Epoxy for creating accurate rifles

www.probed2000.com

 

[Dean2]

Devcon Steel also does get hard with age.
It might be enough to do 10 rifles, but if you wait 2 years between projects you'll probably be buying new material.
Given the fact that it has tripled in price, that's a bigger deal than it used to be.

I've more recently been using ProBed 2000 with great results.

Pro-Bed 2000 Stock Bedding Epoxy

The Ultimate Stock Bedding Epoxy for creating accurate rifles

www.probed2000.com

I go through a Tub pretty fast but, if your Devcon stiffens up due to age, just warm it and it will thin right up. Once you mix in the harder it will stay easy to spread. I agree that ProBed is also a great product. Only thing I would use besides Devcon.

 

[Dr. Vette]

I go through a Tub pretty fast but, if your Devcon stiffens up due to age, just warm it and it will thin right up. Once you mix in the harder it will stay easy to spread. I agree that ProBed is also a great product. Only thing I would use besides Devcon.

I've not tried warming it, but it does get nearly rock hard with time.