Re: factory stock or boyd\'s with bedding
Exsanguinate,
I would agree with the general comments that Jerry gave you.
I have fitted alot of Boyds laminated stocks and have been on average impressed with them in quality.
More then likely the problem with your 338 IS a bedding problem as a result of that plastic stock Rem uses on their rifles(I Assume it is a Rem 700).
I restocked two Rem 700 SS rifles this summer, one in 338 RUM the other in 375 RUM.
Why Rem would chamber a round as powerful as the 375 RUM in a 7 1/4 rifle is beyond me but thats another post.
The 338 RUM was behaving much like yours and beating the H___ out of its owner.
After the boyds JRS classic was fitted and properly bedded the groups tightened up to average less then 3/4" as long as only three shot groups were shot. Any more then that and the barrel heat would start to produce fliers.
While Boyds says their stocks are drop in stocks, this is generally not the case, you will need to open the barrel channel for the barrel on your 338 RUM.
You may also have to do a bit of fitting in the action area.
I have also found a couple Boyds stocks to have the axis of the action and barrel out of alignment with the stock making it a little difficult to even up the barrel channel but there are ways to get around this.
Also, one inportant reminder with a laminated stock of any make, be sure you have reinforcement pins installed in the stock, especially with heavy kickers like the 338 RUM.
Another critical area is the action screws, I would recommend pillar bedding the rifle but more for group consistancy rather then strength issues.
Be sure the action screws are not contacting the stock anywhere, they should be totally floated. If they are not, they can also cause stocks to crack on laminate lines under recoil.
Good Shooting!!!
Kirby Allen(50)
