Anschutz - Savage Model 12 - Pillar Bed or Free Float?

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Dynamic1

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As the title states, I have an Anschutz - Savage Model 12 entry level target rifle. I really like it and it shoots well, however, one always wonders if it can be made to shoot better.

There are two action screws holding the rifle to the stock, both of which are situated unusually far forward of the action. There is no recoil lug and the inletting around the trigger is generous enough that there are no pressure points there.

I understand there is a school of thought with respect to rimfire target shooting to glue the rifle completely into the stock (i.e. completely cradled front to rear). With centrefire, the conventional wisdom is to free float everything beyond the barrel nut, with the action fully bedded, ideally, with the action pillar bedded.

So, my question is with regard to my Anschutz - Savage Mark 12:

1) Should I pillar bed the two action screws, leaving rifle free floated from the stock, OR

2) Should I bed the rifle from front to back so it is completely cradled / supported in epoxy?

Recommendations?
 
Prefaced by saying, I don't own any Annies aside from an old CIL import. I have modified a gun or two.

But, I know if it was a car, you would look at what the upgraded model has and see if you can do those same mods yourself. If there is no upgraded model from what you have, you do it out of love, not necessarily for value... I.e. a Toyota FJ40 with the 6 removed and a chevy 350 installed is almost always worth less than the original 6 engine, even if it is arguably superior in every way..

But AFAIK, there are no others in the old 12 family, it was a one off with a smaller bolt and different features. So no clues there what to do.

I have seen people that bed them properly as they are not free floating anyways (I think).

Everyone is different and this is just my opinion, but mods usually go only one way, to more mods. You are going to bed, probably try to make the trigger group function better, maybe buy a sporter stock and then upgrade the sights, and before you know it you will have a nice little rifle that only has value to you.

I would say that decide what you are building it for, and then decide if a different starting spot may be a better choice.

C
 
An entry-level Anschutz that "shoots well". How much better is it likely to shoot? -- that's the question you have to consider in your deliberations. Perhaps you are a tinkerer and feel that you can improve an already well-shooting rifle. Are you shooting match ammo now? If not, that's the first step to take in finding out how well it does shoot at this point.
 
I've sold mine a few years ago, but it shot reasonably well simply left stock. I doubt you'd see enough improvement to make it worth doing. For a conversation piece or simply because you want to do it, sure.
I'd be inclined to bed the whole action/barrel group since the action screws are so far forward.
 
Inserting pillars around the action screws in the stock virtually eliminate the compression of the wood when the bedding screws are secured and they enable a consistent tension of the screws. They don't modify the bedding surface under the action. The epoxy under the action will create a uniform glove fit of the action into the stock and coupled with the pillars would be the best bedding surface. With the close proximity of the action screws a small area ahead of the receiver under the barrel may also be bedded to provide stability. Epoxy at the rear of the action can be carefully molded to create a recoil abutment when the action area is bedded. The vast majority of rifles perform best with floated barrels and bedded actions vs contact of barrel and action.
A performance increase can only be realized by trying it.
 
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With the action/barrel profile (cylindrical) of the Model 12, to float the barrel you'd have to remove a layer of wood all the way out. As I recall, the front securing screw is actually quite a way out along the barrel. With this gun, bedding isn't easy.
 
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