Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Gunsmithing Model 70 bedding

This pre-'64 Model 70 project has been most interesting and challenging....not exactly a straight forward deal for multiple reasons.

It's curing in the Pro Bed now.

Good shootin' -Al

I'll wait for the other shoe to drop but my first impression is that you didn't use enough tape. GD

never bedded a model 70, but can't think it would be much worse than a Ruger tang safety model,....or could it?

Yeah....if I'd only had a "...vernier caliper" (like the smart guys) instead of a lathe, mill and a couple dial indicators, I might have been able to accomplish something.

The back story is that it was a pretty well done job by someone, initially. Everything fit fine. The stock then got Ceracoated and in the curing process, the temps caused everything...I mean everything...to move around. To the point that the action would not physically fit back in. Pillars were tipped, c-c was off .025-ish, bottom metal inletting had moved about .030, etc, etc.

Hopefully I won't have to put it in a freezer (like the smart guys) to get it apart.

On the tape...I have some 3M stock that has treated me very well over the years ($115.04 today, up $1.18). Gotta' do my part!

Good shootin' -Al

Yes, they are generally pretty straight forward. -Al

Ahhh Al you still butt hurt that you come on here and call out people over their use of tools, but can’t take the heat of being called out for using the wrong name for a tool you are using. Typical.

How many Ruger 77s have you bedded?

3 or 4, with the angled front lug and the vertical rear screw and then bedding the bottom metal, not hard but "awkward" may be a better term.

The 10mil wrap is for side clearance or is that just to protect the action above the waterline?

I usually cover the entire stock in tape and plastic wrap because if I don't, I inevitably get epoxy on the exposed surface where I don't want it to be. One less thing to worry about while doing the job and I never end up with a short fill because I was worried about too much squeeze out.

Al, ya got $25 in just tape alone...

Yep! 3M closed today @ $115.95, up $2.09.

My plan is workin'. -Al

Both purposes, either single or multiple layers as needed for the individual circumstance. Ditto on the recoil lug surfaces where you need clearance.

Good shooton' -Al

This home made jack gizmo brings them straight out, straight up:

I've been hunting with pre'64 M/70's since the mid 1970's never had to bed any of them or do any other modifications to get them to shoot. Switched stocks on many of them, still never had to do anything to the bedding.

You mind showing your homemade jack gizmo?

Not at all.

I made it about 25 years ago and have resisted the urge to whittle out a really 'nice' one on the mill. It's got some sentimental value from a time when I had just a bench vise, a hacksaw, a drill and some of my Dad's old taps and dies to work with. It works on 700's, Model 70's, Sakos, Rugers, Howas...anything with a loading port that's open over the bolt.

With the same tools, anybody can make one and not spend $5, even if buying everything. I can't imagine how many barrelled actions this gizmo has pulled out of bedding over the years!

Hope this helps. -Al

Been using the 10mil tape for years when bedding rifles. Fabbed a similar 'jack' for extricating barreled actions out of freshly bedded stocks years ago - it can be a life saver.

Thanks, that is kinda what I thought you may have done but wanted to see for sure.

Al, thanks for all the tips that you post. I for one really appreciate it.

Good information here, Al. Thanks.