Bedding Compounds? Help

mevoughlian

mevoughlian

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Hamilton Ontario
Hey guys,

I want to bed a rifle for the first time, I have no experience what so ever. I've doubt with bondo,putties,epoxies, and so on when I worked at a body shop for a few years but I've never done a rifle.

First question, what bedding compund should I use? I want to use devcon since I hear it's good but I can't find it , I don't know where to find it . I've checked home depot, home hard ware, tsc country hardware stores, walmart , canadian tire, and another building supply store. The employees at every store that i have gone too didnt even know what devcon was. I also looked for marine tex and it was the same thing. Any advice?

Second question, does any one have some tips that I should follow.

I'm planning on bedding one of my savage axis' first just to see how things go and practice so It doesn't hurt as much if I screw something up haha. Also I figured practicing on the axis would be a good start because I mainly want to bed my tikka t3 varmint that I just bought and they have a somewhat similar recoil lug set up.

I want to do everything the right way with the right materials/compounds, I'd really appreciate any advice and/or opinions.

Thanks!
 
You can get Devcon at Acklands Grainger. If this is your first attempt maybe you should use Accuglass or Bedrock bedding kit.
 
Acklands for the devcon for sure, but I have rifles bedded with Devcon, JB Weld and Accuglass and they all seem to work well. Maybe for cost saving try one with JB Weld before jumping to the devcon? As for advice on how to do it make sure you use a GOOD release agent and lots of tape on the areas you dont want the compound. YOU TUBE A LOT before attempting it but its pretty straight forward, good luck and post some before and after picts.
 
Yea YouTube is your friend, my first attempt was on my .17 and I glued the action to the stock, it will never come apart. Since then I've done 3 rifles all progressively better, my last one turned out like glass.
 
peterdobson said:
Marine Tex was picked by many top USA gunsmiths in poll.
Click to expand...

X2 I have used both Marine Tex and Devcon while they are both a great product I prefer Marine Tex due to the consistency. Its easier to spread and seems to never give me air bubbles even with not covering the action with compound prior to dropping it in stock. Get your self a good commercial mold release like honeywax or if you can't find that a good floor paste wax will also work well. Put several coats on and buff to a shiny finish and most importantly take your time.
 
peterdobson said:
Marine Tex was picked by many top USA gunsmiths in poll.
Click to expand...

Where do you get this stuff in Canada ?

I have used different stuff and haven't noticed the diff other than some set up faster etc . The biggest thing is the release agent , when you think you have done it perfect give it another coat or two .
 
I've got jb weld on the shelf, and an axis all prepped on my bench ready to go. Just need to find time to finish it up.

If you use jb, let it set up for 20 min or so before applying so it's not so runny.
 
Keithjohn said:
Where do you get this stuff in Canada ?

I have used different stuff and haven't noticed the diff other than some set up faster etc . The biggest thing is the release agent , when you think you have done it perfect give it another coat or two .
Click to expand...

Get the "Marine Tex Gray" can either come in a small kit for one gun or a larger one that does multiple guns. I usually get mine from Boatcraft in edmonton
 
For a first time attempt at bedding I would suggest that you try the Bedrock kits.
They come with all the items you may need, like the mixing bowls, tubing release agent and very informative set of instructions.
Many of the accessories can be used in future projects even if you choose other expoxies.
 
I just did my tikka and did a bit of a write up in the hunting rifle section.

Score high Pro-Bed was what I used this time. I've used bedrock and devcon and they don't come close to the Pro-bed product. Devcon is runny in comparison. I got it from Gary at Bighorn Sales...cheaper then Devcon and a way better product.

PS. Make sure you have a box of q-tips on hand when you do it. And an autobody grade epoxy paint reducer for cleanup.
 
I've done two rifles, both with Devcon, and while it wasn't all that hard to do (especially the second one), I don't think I've generated as much nervous sweat doing anything else in my life - worrying about messing something up, worrying about getting the action locked in, worrying about getting the action tilted off-vertical, etc. etc. etc.

Points of advice:
- do 2 or 3 dry runs of the fitting process before you mix the devcon/marine-text/whatever so that you know exactly what needs to be where and when;
- when you think you've got the release agent applied correctly, give it another coat or two (someone else already said this here, but it's worth repeating);
- make sure you plug all recesses in the action with a good thick layer of plasticine/plumbers putty/etc. to prevent any compound from getting into the action and creating a lock;
- buy a jumbo box of q-tips - you'll need way more than you would think; and
- for once, I didn't find any bad internet info on how to do a task(!) - there are a bunch of good guides out there, including here on CGN. I kept a bookmark to this one: http://www.6mmbr.com/pillarbedding.html, but there are equally good ones available to be found.

Enjoy - and just remember to keep breathing while doing it! :)
 
I appreciate all the tips guys! When I have some extra time and a boring day on my hands im going to start working on the rifle and do my first bedding job. I will be sure to post pictures of my first attempt of stock bedding.
 
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