Awhile back I bedded my re-barrelled 24 Yugo in a wood stock. I actually bedded the full length of the action from the barrell boss to the tang. From what I've been reading, it sounds like maybe I should ony have done the barrell/recoil lug and the tang? Any insight from those that know? It wouldn't be a big deal to relieve the stock in the middle area, but should I?

How does it shoot? If it's acceptable, I wouldn't bother.

If the bedding does not stress the action it is better that way. Having adequate relief and filling appropriately with epoxy and then setting the action in place without tweaking it in any way is the best thing.
art

+1

That's the best way. I also bed a few inches out the barrel channel too.

Don

If it shoots well and stays zeroed then don't worry. If one simply sat the barreled action into the stock and bedding material with no screws torqued down, then likely it is stress free. If screws were tightened before the compound set up, then likely not. A good test, if you have it scoped, is to use a bore sighter. Install sighter and precisely note cross hair position. Leave the sighter installed and loosen front and rear screws. Recheck bore sighter. If nothing has moved one has accomplished a good stress free bedding job. If the unit has apparent movement, then the action/barrel is being bent or torqued as the screw are tightened down, and there is fair probability that heating/cooling or inconsistent screw torque will affect point of impact. A bore sighter is likely the most sensitive way of evaluating a bedding job.

So far, I feel good based on what I'm hearing. I guess my concerns were based on guidance I've seen where the bedding is used only in the front and back of the action. I was worrying about what stress might be appled to the action sides under recoil. Thanks for the insight....