Glass Bedding a Rifle

[Scott_N]

Do most guys free float their barrels when they glass bed a rifle? I'm assuming that bedding the barrel the entire length of the stock would be a bad idea?

 

[rmkm70]

the most common is to bed the action and float the barrel.

there are many other variations are out there, different rifles like different things.

 

[smak_daddy]

I do both. I also get the trigger cleaned up.

 

[gitrdun]

It's typical to only bed to 1" to 1 1/2" forward of the recoil lug and free float the barrel. You should shoot first and then decide. Google a variety of keywords like "rifle bedding" etc. you'll be amazed at the reading material you'll come up with. I bedded 3 rifles this week, all free floated.

Have fun

 

[Gibbs505]

Do most guys free float their barrels when they glass bed a rifle? I'm assuming that bedding the barrel the entire length of the stock would be a bad idea?

Most, yes. Afterward you could try a pressure pad at the foreend, but try shooting it first.

 

[sunray]

"...the entire length..." Yep. Doesn't leave any space for barrel vibration. Floating a barrel may or may not help accuracy. Some rifles like it. Some don't. Unfortunately, the only way to find out if your rifle likes it is to try it. Fortunately, if it doesn't, fixing it is no big deal. Just put a pressure point about an inch or so aft of the end of the forestock.
If you opt to try floating the barrel, the bedding should be around that receiver and under the chamber area of the barrel. If you have a wood stock, the barrel channel will need sealing once you've determined if floating has made any difference. That'd be a smaller group with the same ammo.
Do not just change the bedding without shooting the rifle first. You need an accuracy baseline.