Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles DIY bedding M77 (pic heavy)

Well, I've been really busy at work. I've litterally spent more hours at work lately than I have away from work so I haven't fit in any handloading time yet.

I hope too soon though. Until then it seems the rifle does like the winchester powerpoints the best out of the fact ammunition I've tried so far and I really need to give it a good confident effort. I've been in a hurry with everything I do for the past 4-5 months. It seems as if when i get a bench opportunity with this rifle not everything is perfect, I'm seated too high, table sucks, wind, all of the above

ok, I gave it a fair shake today, did the best I could with the old wooden wire spool shooting table I've got which is pretty wobbly.

this quick session was with the same winchester powerpoints that the gun seemed to kind of like.



I added a 1" black leather montana sling, I really like it. (who's gonna tell me it's upside down? )



view down the lookin tube...



100 yds, 3 shots on a clean cold barrel..



probably a bit under 3/4" but i'm callin it 3/4"

I did continue after this, gave it one click left & repeated, got the same sort of group but it was centered over the POA a little better.

I'm happy with this.

Very good amigo! Wait till you feed it your ammo and it tightens up even more!

308, McMillan Classic, Leupold 3.5-10 B&C, Pacnor #3 Super Match, Stainless,

it'll never work, bolt handle is on the wrong side. besides, my 5 year old is sitting here with me & he says he woulda painted it red.



you gonna tell about it BMT??

very curious to hear more...

the biggest mistake I see with most glass bed jobs is the use of screws..If you tighten the gun down, the chances of putting a bind in the action are pretty good....Use a set of guide screws and let the gun sink to the bottom or were its braced. Drillout the holes, clean it up and your good to go. this is especially true on a full length bedding job such as I do on most really big bores along with second recoil lug in the barrel channel, cross bolts, and a threaded bolt throughthe grip. Also don't forget to pack the front of the second recoil lug with clay or whatever for about 3/4 to an inch depending on the length of the lug, so tha the barrel can come out at an angle are you will have married the stock to the metal.

I do the same regarding the guide screws. Like Ray, I let the rifle sink into the bedding compound and leave it until it cures. 3 hours on an Aussie Summer day, 1 week in a Colorado Winter.

JW

I agree with the studsvs screws to place the action in the bedding material. I used a large rubber band to compress the action in the stock, and the tape just like you did to center the barrel out at the end of the forarm.

One thing I didn't see mentioned, I use a toothpick to force epoxy into the drilled holes, so air isn't trapped keeping much of the epoxy from filling the holes.

I also don't like to see the wood thru the epoxy, behind the lug I would have at least drilled 3 or so holes and lowered most of the wood so a large 1/8 " thk epoxy pad would be there, vs thin epoxy over wood, even though a laminated stock is probably epoxy filled and harder than walnut.

Good, quality picts.

Allen

Dave, good thread. Wish I would of seen one before I did my first one. Would of went a long way to take away the stress factor.

Check it out guys, the 264 works on girl deers....

She'd be deader from a handload.

I agree

After the shot I cycled the bolt nice & easy taking time to slip the empty into my coat pocket

There will be a hand load for this rifle soon, I'm really starting to like this rifle.

In my best Darth Sidious voice: Goooood, feeel the power of the handloading side. Soooon you will be measuring neck walls and checking concentricity as naturally as breathing.

Haa!!

just looking for a little "spare time" and a little powder, I've got everything else ready to go.

Very nice Dave! You even used the Burris, even an old Denver Redfield worked for me this morning!

Yep, used a burris. But as I was sitting bored out of my mind practicing some target acquisition on stumps from my stand yesterday I noticed I have a ring shadow inside the scope. It's on the left side along the outer edge, I've never noticed this before. Dark, like a .. I dunno what it could be, piece of a seal or o-ring? I dunno but none of my other burris scopes have anything like this.

Might have to send it in.

do tell?

It's in the deer hunting forum.

thanks, going looking now.

I have a Ruger like that....it loves the Nosler ballistic tips....seated to the lands...1/2 inch groups at 100 yards....gotta give it a little time inbetween shots though....barrel gets alittle warm! Nice little love affair you have going by the way...lol