kayaker1;
I’ll toss this out for your consideration with the warning that I’m not a trained gunsmith, only a serious student of the rifle who fools with them as a hobby/addiction.
You mentioned getting threaded rod at the hardware store for your action alignment screws. In general, the action screws are a finer thread than is commonly available at a hardware store at least that is the case here in southern BC.
One is well advised to check what is required carefully with a thread pitch gauge as one really doesn't want to mess up the action threads.
The other issue with threaded rod is that the threads protruding from beneath the action should likely be taped up and coated with release agent or they may grip the epoxy compound and not make for a smooth release.
I can recall breaking one stock at the wrist when I was taking out of the bedding and I really can't recommend it as a good way to start your day off.
I would have to think that stocker’s solution is definitely the best, but it does require purchasing the correct guide screws.
While I've not done this, as a stop gap measure it might work to grind the heads off of a set of action screws, but obviously they would not protrude out the bottom of the stock as well as the real thing.
To answer your original query, I use either kid’s Plasticine or paste floor wax and have had no problems with either. I do note that I use a marine epoxy from Industrial Formulators as a bedding compound and while there is an exothermic reaction as it cures, it is apparently not enough to cause melting issues with the floor wax I’ve been using.
In closing, I’ll say good luck to you in your bedding job, its good to see folks learning by doing. As a by the way, my records indicate that the last stock I bedded made an even 5 dozen since I started back in the day and I’m still learning and reading threads like this to see what they can teach me.
Regards,
Dwayne
