No4 Mk1/3 Odd bedding

[Torandir]

Hi all,
I have a very nice condtion FTR'd by Fazakerly in '54, 1943 Savage made Mk1*. When cleaning it earlier I noticed that it seemed to have very little up pressure at the muzzle which is usually a problem. The rifle shoots fantastic, and is set up with a target swivel at the rear, which I initally thought was a bit odd. It also seems to have a Canadian Arsenals front sight installed. The fore end also appears to be almost bedded in place as I didn't want to force it off. Has anyone ever seen another one set up this way?

Photos:
https://photos.app.goo.gl/mp6H1r1uTjXKgHqh8

 

[jtaylor]

Hi Tor. Looks as if you have target bedding that is fairly common. That is the fore is relieved at front and the barrel is centre bedded
with cork or a similar substance. Fulton of Bisley did the same but used his patented grease in the same spot. His grease when settled was reasonably hard and was heat resistant. Many people have used different materials from lead, to tape, to even machined steel inserts and usually the end of the fore is wrasped out. It does make a difference but not as good as practise, practise, and more practise with controlled breathing, correct positioning, and wind observation. Personally I was good up to 800 yds but after that I struggled. JOHN

 

[enefgee]

Definitely target rifle bedding, the upper handguard is packed so we can assume some sort of centre bedding in the lower and probably some work done to the receiver and draws. This video by Riflechair gives a good look

 

[Ganderite]

I do not suggest anyone tamper with the existing bedding of a Lee Enfield. Good chance of making it worse.

Bedding a Lee requires special techniques, PLUS secret incantations and a process involving dead cats and pixie dust.

This is why we eventually converted our rifles to one-piece stocks and actions with recoil lugs so the bedding could be more conventional.

 

[bearhunter]

I'm working on something similar right now, the receiver is still conventional but the trigger is identical to the one in your picture.

That trigger eliminates the ways at the rear, so the action has to be bedded differently, if you use a conventional stock.

There is a way to bed the king screw lug by making up a stock spacer that fits completely over it, right up to the bottom of the receiver flat.

There are also a couple of small shoulders at the front that can take up the rearward shove during recoil.

This is where center bedding, about a foot ahead of the receiver comes in, along with a bit of upward pressure on the barrel.

The new king screw bushing has to be made up from steel or maybe one of the new composite plastics. It needs to be made up to fit tightly on both ends, including the recess in the trigger guard. The whole piece needs to be fully bedded in the stock, along with the forward and rear stock/receiver contacts.

Because of the after market trigger, a regular magazine can't be inserted. I was thinking of asking a friend with a 3D printer to make up a single stack mag, to fit a 308 Win cartridge, that would fit permanently into the well and protrude sligtly below the trigger guard/mag well opening.

I have one of those composite "ugly stick" stocks and find them quite awkward.