Anyone ever bedded a Rem 597?

[Snakum]

I did my first bedding job recently on a synthetic Model 70 and my consistent, "every single day" group avg at 100 yds went down by an inch with cheap Federal ammo. So I'm wondering what might be gained by bedding a 597? Once I tightened up the action, scope and mounts it has been a pretty accurate little plinker. Wondering if bedding the stock would do anything for a .22? Anyone ever done it?

 

[rangerruck]

since most practical shooting with a 22 is done inside of 100 yds, just how much improvement can we really see, from zero out to 100 yds, maybe an inch? is it worth it to bed for an inch gain? do you hunt and go for head shots, or are you going to compete with it?
Mostly, I say , unless you are competing, or are a serious hunter, who is very serious about shot placement, and meat saving, I say no.

Unless the 22 gods, just won't get out of your mind to bed it...

 

[blackops]

I'm serious about shot placement. I purchased a .17HMR and It is going to be my first bedding job when I receive it. I figure I'm learning how to customize/accurize my own rifles myself and that sounds good to me. Not like I don't have time on my hands on the weekends here and there. Might as well learn how to work on firearms.

 

[ChronoCube]

What kind of groups are you getting with it right now? If you are getting vertical stringing and your 597 barrel and stock are currently in contact, maybe you can bed it in a way that lifts the receiver so that the barrel is not contacting the stock.

 

[Snakum]

Right now I'm getting roughly 1 - 2 inch groups benched, at 50 yards, depending on ammo. Good stuff gives me an inch. Kneeling, with a tight sling wrap, I can pop a beer can at 60 yards about 80% of the time (which as everyone knows is the real test of a .22 ) with bulk Wally World ammo and the cheap Simmons scope that came on it. I put sling studs, a sling, and a Redneck Cheek Piece (4" section of pipe insulation) on it and it's pretty accurate, I was surprised. But I have plenty of time on my hands and thought I'd float the barrel and bed at least part of the action.

I found RimfireCentral's 597 forum a few hours ago. Seems a lot of folks like to tighten up the 597 and they've posted some pretty awesome groups (1" at 100 yards with a 22). I'm going to start on it tomorrow since the Model 70 is almost done and the M1 Carbine on the bench is giving me fits. I need a break from it.

 

[Taurus 617 CCW]

Is it a synthetic or wood stock?

Wood stock : Brownells Acraglas bedding compound

Synthetic stock: Brownells Acraglas gel bedding compound

Make sure you put release agent (ie. minwax paste wax) on your action or you will be sorry.

 

[rangerruck]

try many, MANY , diff ammos first;
anything from below.
wolf
eley
aguila
golden eagle
cci
winny
feddy. avoid bulk cci. DONT' USE ANYTHING REMINGTON.
winny, feddy, makes the best bulk.
You should know that eley, aguila, cci, winny , feddy, make at least 10
diff kinds each, of 22 ammo, so you have a lot of testing.
Do your trigger job, and your rail loosening job FIRST, then get your different
ammo's tested. Then after that, if you still wanna bed it, then go ahead.

 

[Maverick223]

I would get to know her a little better first. Start with testing as much ammo as you can find.

 

[Snakum]

I found instructions on polishing the trigger and adjusting the rails and I'm doing that today. I have an M70 setting up from bedding another inch into the barrel channel yesterday, and as soon as it's off the clamps I'm going to float the .22 then look at bedding. Fun little gun, it is. Great for practicing position shooting.

 

[benzy2]

I don't see what the harm in bedding a .22 would be. I have bedded all but one of mine, and that is because I want to replace the stock on that one soon. I feel the rimfires are the best candidates for bedding often. The less expensive the rifle, the less time and money spent on fitting the action to the stock. I have seen it do wonders to a couple rifles and a little for a couple others, though again the less expensive rifles showed the better results. The one, a Marlin 917, with the screws tightened correctly, the barrel could easily be pushed to touch the left and right side of the barrel channel. I saw groups on that rifle go from 3-4MOA to just at if not below 1MOA, though I admit I mainly shoot rimfires at 25 yards.

 

[Snakum]

I just picked up a brick of Federals and shot from a chair using a shooting stick, and this thing put six rounds into less than 3/4" at 50 yards. I might polish up the trigger, of course, but I think I'll leave the stock alone for now. Pretty impressive considering it wasn't from a bench. Like the rest of my guns, it seems to love that cheap Federal ammo more than any other.

 

[WNTFW]

Snakum,
Don't know much on the 597.

Synthetic:
I did a Rem 700 with the SPS Varmint stock. I roughed up the stock, under cut some areas and used Bulldog Adhesion Promoter. The bedding material was Devcon Plastic Steel Putty (A) 10110. Mold Release was Kiwi neutral shoe polish. Very happy with the result. I added an aluminum channel to stiffen up the forend. Nothing has let loose yet.

Wood:
I am in the middle of bedding a Marlin 60. That is about 5 times harder than the 700. On the semi-auto action there is more to deal with. Plus a Marlin 60 has the trigger as a seperate unit, which will be bedded also. I have no idea if it will improve the already decent groups but I think there will some gains at least in the way the trigger & action interact. I also added an adjustable cheek piece to the stock - no easy task. I need to clean up some details and finish up. The stock will get sanded and refinished.

To block off areas - I used Plumbers putty on the 700. On the 60 I used modeling clay & hot glue. The modeling clay is my least favorite of the 3. Hot glue has its uses but will stick to some things too well.

I used Marine Tex someone gave me on the 60. It was very much like the Devcon. Both are ITW companies. Price is about the same if you compare like quantities. The Marine tex is available more places and cures in 24 hr vs 72.