Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Gunsmithing Need to open lug recess in already bedded stock

I am wondering if I can just remove some bedding material in the front of the recess and not re-bed?

My McM stock is bedded for the factory barrel lug, which is .19" My new barrel from Bartlein has a thicker lug, which measures .25"

Can I just take a Dremel tool and remove material from the front of the recess until I can get the new lug to drop in and not re-bed? What is a good bit to use?

Yes, that will work. The only contact surface of the lug should be the back side. Hit the corners of the lug recess with a small needle file to radius the corners a bit and make sure the lug doesn't bottom out. I like to have at least .020 clearance everywhere but the back side (except for lugs that have the front screw into the bottom of the lug, obviously). -Al

Ai, it looks like the new lug is .1" longer (deeper) too.

Just make sure it's got sufficient clearance at the bottom. There's no reason for any bedding material below, ahead of or on the sides of a recoil lug....but it's easier to do that way.

Good shootin'. -Al

Good info, no contact at front, bottom or sides. Chisel and a scraper works. Dremel tool as much as I use them can get EVIL.

Was the face of the action trued when the barrel was replaced?

Yes, as was the bolt face. I called a local well known gunsmith and he said he would mill material and re-bed the lug area for me. I am going to have him do it.

OK...so now all of the info comes out.

If the face of the receiver was trued, the reciever side of the lug will be further back than the original lug was.

So yes, it needs to be rebedded. -Al

Al, I did not not realize this but now makes sense. Thank you!

Blue painters tape on all lug surfaces except the rear makes for a nice clearance in the bedding if you decide to go that route.