My attempt at bedding an action

Gunsmithing & DIY forum for everyone. Enjoy!
Post your projects, questions and advice here.
User avatar
bimbo
300 Win Mag
Posts: 1791
Joined: Tue Oct 10, 2006 10:34 pm
Favourite Cartridge: 17HH
Location: Newcastle, NSW

My attempt at bedding an action

Post by bimbo »

I have always said that I was going to bed the boyds stock on my Stevens 200 in 223 but to be honest it shot well enough and I have never really been bothered until last time I went spotlighting and halfway through the night I missed a few shots that I was sure should of hit causing me to doubt both my ability and the rifle and started aiming for chest shots rather than head.
I went to the range on the weekend and a few shots on paper saw it shooting well but not not like it normally does with a few erratic shots. Closer inspection showed that one of the action screws had loosened a fraction and the barrel could move from one side of the barrel channel to the other fairly freely - not ideal.

Image

Then on Monday night at touch footy I rolled my ankle and doing a pretty good job the next morning struggling to work and unable to put on a work boot I called in to work to let them know I wouldn't be in. Now I am the sort of guy who will make the most of a bad situation and having a whole day free I figured now or never to bed the action. I thought I had all the bits I needed bar a set of stock screws but a quick trip to the screw supplier saw me back home with a 100mm long bolts with the same thread for the grand total of $3. The horizontal bandsaw made quick work of removing the hex head and I was left with there

Image

After plenty of googling and youtubing I was feeling confident enough to get stuck into it and pulled the rifle apart stripping off the trigger mech and the mag box - which is a major PITA

Image

This is what the inletting looked like before I got stuck into it

Image

And after it was attacked with the dremel - plenty of material removed from behind the recoil lug as well as around the action screws etc
Image

Then I realised I had forgotten to stop of at bunnings on the way home and get something to fill all the holes in the action and stock I didn't what to be filled with epoxy. Not to worry I live with little people who have a craft box and after a short rummage I found some plasticine. Also pinched a couple of paddle pop sticks to mix my epoxy, I knew these kids would come in handy for something.

Image

Then I got carried away and forgot to take any photos but I filled all the voids in the stock and action with plasticine and put some masking tape along the stock to make cleaning the epoxy off a little easier. I also put 2 layers of masking tape under the tang as the stevens action only has 2 action screws - basically one infront and behind the mag box and by floating the tang it meas there isn't any undue stresses on the rear of the action - or so the internet tells me. The whole action and masking tape etc was given a few coats of kiwi shoe polish - black cause that was what was in the cupboard.
I used JB weld to bed the action mostly because I can get it from jaycar which is just up the road from work. I think it was about 15 bucks. It was fairly runny but was still fine to work with. I did read that you can let it set and thicken a little before using it.

Then I got to this stage
Image
Once it was together I wrapped a few layers of electrical tape around it to hold it together and cleaned up any epoxy that had squeezed out. Then waited and hoped that I hadn't just glued the whole thing together for eternity.

Then after the appropriate time I undid all the tape, gave it a few good solid taps with the palm of my hand on the barrel and it popped free - relieved is an understatement.

Image

Looked pretty good, good coverage where it needed to be and only pulled the corner of a few mm on the side of the action - I can live with that.
After a bit of a clean up with various files and the dremel, then a wipe down with acetone.

Image

Actually turned out much better than I was expecting and I am pretty chuffed with myself. I have screwed it all back together and can't wait to punch a few holes and see if it has made much difference.

Cheer
James
BP72
22-250 Remington
Posts: 573
Joined: Mon Apr 15, 2013 10:59 pm
Favourite Cartridge: 22-250
Location: Borden WA

Re: My attempt at bedding an action

Post by BP72 »

There pretty simple , you just gotta bite the bullet and have a crack ! It's the right prep and something that will release the action that takes the time , then once the goo is mixed there's no turning back ! Looks like a good result bimbo
User avatar
Camel
Ultimate AusVarminter
Posts: 12084
Joined: Sat May 28, 2011 8:51 pm
Favourite Cartridge: 20-222 6x47 rem, 250
Location: Northern Riverina NSW

Re: My attempt at bedding an action

Post by Camel »

Bout bloody time you got your finger out and did that. Looks like a pretty good job mate, well done. I've done a fair few stocks over the years, but I still have that lingering thought in the back of the mind, "Is it going to let go" Thankfully they always have.
GregT
New Member
Posts: 89
Joined: Thu Aug 18, 2011 10:50 pm
Favourite Cartridge: 6br
Location: QBN

Re: My attempt at bedding an action

Post by GregT »

Nice job! It might be worth sanding out the bedding on the LHS behind the rear action screw. It's only anecdotal but apparently Savages work better with the tang free floating. On the few stocks I've made for them I machine a few extra thou out of the bedding in the same area so it doesn't touch and they work great.
User avatar
stinkitup
.338 Lapua Magnum
Posts: 3217
Joined: Fri Aug 03, 2007 10:46 am
Favourite Cartridge: 6.5x55
Location: Lower Hunter Valley

Re: My attempt at bedding an action

Post by stinkitup »

Good job bimbo, the other usual thing I have read with savages is don't bed in front of the recoil lug, behind the lug to the rear action screw and then leave the tang like you have.

Looks awesome! Good to see pink getting some use. 8)
User avatar
trevort
Spud Gun
Posts: 12710
Joined: Thu Sep 14, 2006 9:21 pm
Favourite Cartridge: Tater
Location: Melbourne

Re: My attempt at bedding an action

Post by trevort »

I would be very very pleased with myself if I had done that
User avatar
Gnome
.308 Winchester
Posts: 1647
Joined: Fri Jun 19, 2009 6:15 pm
Favourite Cartridge: 375 Cheytac
Location: Newcastle
Contact:

Re: My attempt at bedding an action

Post by Gnome »

Dang fine work there cobber :D .. Will be round with my 5 to do up ;) :P
kickinback
50 BMG
Posts: 3991
Joined: Sun Jan 07, 2007 11:54 am
Favourite Cartridge: 260 Rem
Location: Lilydale Vic

Re: My attempt at bedding an action

Post by kickinback »

Quality work James. Did the kids get their plasticine back?
chris.tyne
.270 Winchester
Posts: 1440
Joined: Thu Jun 07, 2007 9:56 pm
Favourite Cartridge: 6BR
Location: Usually underneath

Re: My attempt at bedding an action

Post by chris.tyne »

Great work and good on you for having a go,first one will be the hardest, they get easier form here on in.
User avatar
Seddo
.338 Lapua Magnum
Posts: 2054
Joined: Sat Jan 03, 2009 9:17 am
Favourite Cartridge: Creedmoor
Location: Vic

Re: My attempt at bedding an action

Post by Seddo »

chris.tyne wrote:Great work and good on you for having a go,first one will be the hardest, they get easier form here on in.
+ 1 :D

You have inspired me to give it a go.
User avatar
bimbo
300 Win Mag
Posts: 1791
Joined: Tue Oct 10, 2006 10:34 pm
Favourite Cartridge: 17HH
Location: Newcastle, NSW

Re: My attempt at bedding an action

Post by bimbo »

GregT wrote:Nice job! It might be worth sanding out the bedding on the LHS behind the rear action screw. It's only anecdotal but apparently Savages work better with the tang free floating. On the few stocks I've made for them I machine a few extra thou out of the bedding in the same area so it doesn't touch and they work great.
I did read some stuff on the net about floating the tang and when I bedded it I put 2 layers of masking tape under the tang area, not sure what thickness that equates too but it shouldn't be touching but having said that I will either sand out that side of the bedding or put some epoxy all the way around to the other side pretty much just cause it isn't symmetrical :roll: OCD much :lol:

The kids did get their plasticine back and I didn't even mix the colours, much :D
User avatar
Knackers
.338 Lapua Magnum
Posts: 2381
Joined: Sun Aug 06, 2006 9:22 pm
Favourite Cartridge: .223
Location: Riverina NSW

Re: My attempt at bedding an action

Post by Knackers »

that looks terrific, if you can do it, then I can do it. Now where's my CZ. :wink:
User avatar
Camel
Ultimate AusVarminter
Posts: 12084
Joined: Sat May 28, 2011 8:51 pm
Favourite Cartridge: 20-222 6x47 rem, 250
Location: Northern Riverina NSW

Re: My attempt at bedding an action

Post by Camel »

Yeah Knackers, but he was only doing to a cheap bit of junk :mrburns: and could afford it if there were any stuff ups, on a CZ it might be different. :twisted:
User avatar
bimbo
300 Win Mag
Posts: 1791
Joined: Tue Oct 10, 2006 10:34 pm
Favourite Cartridge: 17HH
Location: Newcastle, NSW

Re: My attempt at bedding an action

Post by bimbo »

Cheap bit of junk - yep, out shoots your fancy rifles costing may time more - yep :upyours: Well at least it did before my bedding job, I may retract that statement after shooting a few groups this weekend :lol:
User avatar
Camel
Ultimate AusVarminter
Posts: 12084
Joined: Sat May 28, 2011 8:51 pm
Favourite Cartridge: 20-222 6x47 rem, 250
Location: Northern Riverina NSW

Re: My attempt at bedding an action

Post by Camel »

:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: Hey all, the carp are bighting, :lol: :lol:
Post Reply