Question for wise gunsmiths

[kyrol60]

Today a co-worker asked me question which is way over my head, can anybody answer this:

What is the difference between glass bedding and CNC aluminum bedding and what impact does it have on a rifle that does not have a free floated barrel?

After serveral minutes of trying to figure out what he was asking I think he wants know is if he attached the barrel to the aluminum bedding at the very front of the stock, would it create problems when the barrel flexed when fired(example; structure stress damage, blowup ). Basically, if your receiver and your barrel are attached to the same piece of alluminum bed would it blow up because the barrel as no place flex.

The reason I 'am asking this on CGN is I am curious myself and have no idea where to look for answers.

If there is anybody out there in internet land that can answer this or know where I can find an answer your info would be a great help.

Kyrol

 

[guntech]

There are some synthetic stocks that have a machined aluminum bedding block in the action area, and the barrel is free floating.

Other stocks use glass bedding in the action area, and the barrel is free floating.

The purpose of both methods is to mate the action to the stock with no stress so you may achieve the best accuracy.

The machined aluminum block does not do this. It can be improved on by correctly glass bedding the action on top of this block with what is referred to as a skim coat of bedding compound. No matter how well the aluminum is machined, it does not match the action as well as glass bedding does.

I hope this explanation helps.

 

[NormB]

Today a co-worker asked me question which is way over my head, can anybody answer this:

What is the difference between glass bedding and CNC aluminum bedding and what impact does it have on a rifle that does not have a free floated barrel?

After serveral minutes of trying to figure out what he was asking I think he wants know is if he attached the barrel to the aluminum bedding at the very front of the stock, would it create problems when the barrel flexed when fired(example; structure stress damage, blowup ). Basically, if your receiver and your barrel are attached to the same piece of alluminum bed would it blow up because the barrel as no place flex.

The reason I 'am asking this on CGN is I am curious myself and have no idea where to look for answers.

If there is anybody out there in internet land that can answer this or know where I can find an answer your info would be a great help.

Kyrol

Kyrol,

From your description, your co-worker may be referring to a barrel bedding block mounting as well. A cnc aluminum/steel block is machined to match a straight taper barrel...usually 6 to 8 inches ahead of the action. The bedding block is attached to the rifle stock and the straight taper portion of the barrel is clamped/glued/glassed into the bedding block. The portion of the barrel that extends ahead of the block is free floating, and the action extending to the rear is usually free floating.

Since this is usually a larger fixture (adds weight and presents problems mounting a sight) it is used mostly on long range target type rifles.

Your description of the block being near the front of the stock, is not the usual case, and I have never seen it done, although there is always experimentaion.

Both receiver bedding and barrel block bedding at done to control and minimize barrel vibrations allowing for repeatable accuracy.

NormB

 

[maynard]

Actions sitting in a "V" block, with the barrel floated can be very accurate.
Millennium actions are bedded into a similar Flexi-Bed system where the acion sits in a "V" Block on Adprene strips.
There is also a Ross precision stock that clamps the barrel in front of the action like Norm is talking about. 8 screws hold the clamp block about 2.5 inches long, no bedding, just a machined block, barrel and action are free floated.