How do you bed stocks?

[Mini_Envy]

I see you list stock bedding on your website for the mini 14. I was wondering how you do your bedding? Do you do it by drilling the receiver and bolting it to the stock like ASI? or do you just use glass?

[gundoc]

I don't pin bed like ASI, I use AccraGlass or Devcon, usually with atomized metal added or in the case of Devcon already in the mix. I use a small router affair and remove material from the stock where I want the bedding, cut some additional slots or holes as needed and then bed the receiver. It's very durable and an excellent fit.

Stocks from Choate, Ramline and Hogue are as general rule less likely to bed well. The first two are very flexible and the last is just plain hard to do due to the rubber and type of plastic used.

The metal additions can be aluminum, steel, stainless steel, or (only Devcon) titanium. I have drilled and tapped the cured epoxy and it has a lot of strength. Since the bedding will comform to the exact shape of the receiver, it absolutely locks it in place. I don't overbed the stock top. In fact I usually use the trigger to fully lock the receiver down during the curing process, unlike a lot of internet stuff you'll find saying to close it 3/4 of the way. What that means is that I don't increase the tension the trigger guard places on the receiver. The receiver and barrel are still oriented properly and the stock is not compressing on the bottom. If I raise the receiver even an 1/8 of an inch, I have changed the relationship of parts and essentially put a bend in the barrel.

Why don't I pin bed? I've been asked this alot, and I'm sure ASI does an excellent job, but I do not drill and or tap the mini 14/30 due to the part being a cast alloy. It's possible to create stress fractures and cracks. The pins and screws don't pass through any critical areas, but I still don't want to do it. The other thing is that to the best of my knowledge ASI is the only bunch doing it, and so I leave them to have it as a "signature service" if you will.

I apologize if this was more of an answer than you wanted, or wasn't enough. Bedding is actually quite an exacting process to do a good job despite how simple it sounds.

[Mini_Envy]

Nope that answer is fine. I was just curious as I'm going to send my Mini off for service to you and was just curious your method. The ASI method seems great in theory, but I also like your method in that it allows you to field strip the gun with out a wrench. I can't wait to send my Mini off to you for your services.

[p35bhp55]

Hey Doc, I didn't think to ask before I shipped it, is the Ramline stock I sent with my gun a turkey? I liked the camo and it seemed to fit tight, am hoping it will work, but if you think it's a problem and it's not too late maybe we should talk about replacing it.

[gundoc]

The Ramline isn't too bad. The camo models are a bit stiffer than the plain black ones. If yours is the one in right now, the bedding came out well using Devcon. Thanks!

John

[p35bhp55]

If you only have one, it's mine. I'm glad it worked out, not a big Ramline fan but I always liked that stock.

[jess]

Hi Gundoc,
Whats your preference of stocks as far as quality? Mainly the synthetic ones. Do the factory synthetics bed well? Thanks :D