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Joined: Mar 2008
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Campfire Tracker
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OP
Campfire Tracker
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 3,239 |
Hey guys, I've been working on two methods of improving Tikka's bedding system for 2 years now. You really only have 3 choices to improve the existing bedding/lug design. 1) Build a custom lug, and Tig weld it into the existing recoil lug slot. 2) Install a custom designed and built "coffin style" recoil lug between the barrel and the action, after the action has been faced off to remove the champfer. (This is the lug and machining I developed and have been using for my last 5 custom Tikka builds) 3) Pillar bed the factory stock, and "glass" bed the factory style recoil lug into the factory or aftermarket stock. I did quite a bit of work this winter, with several factory stocks, perfecting the method of pillar and glass bedding the factory Tikka stock. As some of you well know, the factory lug design, and how it relates to the stock and action, can pose a problem for "proper" bedding. We want perfect pillar contact, and perfect bedding contact all around the recoil lug, without accidentally filling up the lug lug slot in the action, or even having any bedding material get between the recoil lug slot in the action, and the top of the recoil lug. There isn't much contact to begin with, and any bedding material will take more away, and change the whole bedding elevation and create stress on the barreled action after it's cleaned up. I feel that the only way you can do a perfect job with having to install pillars, is to do it in 3 steps...waiting 24 hours between steps (for the bedding to fully cure) before I start the next step. If working with an aftermarket stock, with pillars already installed, it still takes two steps. I've been using Devcon 10110, and aluminum pillars that can be machined to the perfect length. I enjoy doing this so much, I bought a mill to ensure the inletting, and bedding clean-up are perfect, and am going to do more of this in the future. As you can see in the pics, the factory lug gets effectively, glued into the stock. The way the Tikka action is shaped, allows bedding material to completely surround , and encompass the recoil lug. Only the bearing surface of the lug is exposed, the remaining area supports the action with bedding material. I also leave a 1/2" pad of bedding under the barrel shank. This might not be necessary, but I like a little there for support, and I feel it ties everything together. The pictures aren't the greatest, but I think you'll get the idea. The Pillars- And the rifle that I also painted- [img]http://i784.photobucket.com/al...eddingSynthetic-11_zps317ec3af.jpg[/img]
I should have just bought a [bleep] T3...
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Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 22,735
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 22,735 |
Hey, good work, Al. You definitely have done your homework with the upgrade. I'll be testing a "new to me" .308 next week. We'll see how things go before I contact you for a little "follow up".
My home is the "sanctuary residence" for my firearms.
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Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 29,383
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 29,383 |
Why not use a steel or titanium lug in lieu of the aluminum factory model? Just asking
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Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 3,239
Campfire Tracker
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OP
Campfire Tracker
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 3,239 |
I'm replacing all my lugs with steel. The one in the top picture is a steel upgrade. I just used the aluminum one in the other pics for fitting. Seems I put it together and take it apart 2 dozen times while I'm inletting, fitting the pillars to the stock, checking for barrel clearance, and centering the barrel in the channel.
I should have just bought a [bleep] T3...
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Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 4,859
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
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Posts: 4,859 |
You ready for me to send you a couple???? Looks good
Also paint job looks great!
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Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 5,753
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
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Life is just one damned thing after another
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Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,336
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,336 |
I've got a 4th option for you...dovetail the receiver slot.
It ain't all burritos and strippers my friends...
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Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 17,527
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Mar 2005
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I am going to glue the lug to my action before bedding when I finally get my McMillan.
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Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 29,383
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 29,383 |
I'm replacing all my lugs with steel. The one in the top picture is a steel upgrade. I just used the aluminum one in the other pics for fitting. Seems I put it together and take it apart 2 dozen times while I'm inletting, fitting the pillars to the stock, checking for barrel clearance, and centering the barrel in the channel. Nice... Have you seen that titanium lug and pillars that Lumley Arms sells? I like what you are doing.
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Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 6,755
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 6,755 |
How much of an accuracy improvement have you found from your bedding upgrade?
He who joyfully marches in rank and file has already earned my contempt. He has been given a large brain by mistake, since for him the spinal cord would suffice.
- Albert Einstein
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Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 27,692
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 27,692 |
Member: Clan of the Turdlike People.
Courage is Fear that has said its Prayers
�If we ever forget that we are one nation under God, then we will be a nation gone under.� Ronald Reagan.
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Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 3,239
Campfire Tracker
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OP
Campfire Tracker
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 3,239 |
How much of an accuracy improvement have you found from your bedding upgrade? None at 100, some at 200, and a lot at 300 and 400. The biggest gain has been in the consistency of the group sizes at distance. Not seeing changes in vertical and horizontal group dispersion from one range session to the next. Just good, consistent accuracy.
I should have just bought a [bleep] T3...
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Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 3,239
Campfire Tracker
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OP
Campfire Tracker
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 3,239 |
I should have just bought a [bleep] T3...
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Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 22,735
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 22,735 |
Looks like Al is cultivating a "niche market". Not to hijack, were do I find the Tikka bolt stop removal video, U Tube?
My home is the "sanctuary residence" for my firearms.
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Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 3,239
Campfire Tracker
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OP
Campfire Tracker
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 3,239 |
You want "removal" or "bolt stop modification"?
I should have just bought a [bleep] T3...
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Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 47,960
Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 47,960 |
Very nice yukonal. Thanks for posting this. I'll get me a Tikka one of these days and probably do the same mods...
I try to stick with the basics, they do so well. Nothing fancy mind you, just plain jane will get it done with style. You want to see an animal drop right now? Shoot him in the ear hole. BSA MAGA
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Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,887
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,887 |
How about some pictures of targets to prove your claims.
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Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 22,735
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 22,735 |
You want "removal" or "bolt stop modification"? I'm not aware of a modification. I was asking about the technique, which I once knew of taking off the shroud and replacing it.
My home is the "sanctuary residence" for my firearms.
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Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 3,239
Campfire Tracker
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OP
Campfire Tracker
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 3,239 |
Joe, You want "bolt shroud removal". I think there is also "bolt stop modification". When you go to youtube, search "tikkashooters" and Jason is the guy that has posted a lot of the "how to" videos there. Also check out: www.tikkashooters.com
I should have just bought a [bleep] T3...
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Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 22,735
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 22,735 |
Thanks Al, I just came back from You Tube and remembered how it was done. I'll check out the other link too.
My home is the "sanctuary residence" for my firearms.
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