Bedding vs Chassis

[blackops]

I'm in the process of putting together a target/tactical rifle in 308 and been reviewing stock options. I like the AI system, but just can't sell myself on a chassis system being as accurate as a rifle that's been properly bedded. My thought is when you can 3 dimensionality support the action with bedding, how can a chassis system be as accurate because your'e not fully supporting the action the same way. Same with the HS and B&C aluminum bedding block offerings. They don't fully support the action the same. I'm leaning towards mcmillan or manners and paying the money to have GAP bed the rifle and true the action plus install a new barrel. This all isn't going to happen overnight, but I'm trying to look at the big picture and figure out really what I'm getting into.

So what's your guys opinions on bedding vs chassis? What really sets an AI stock apart from an HS or B&C really as far as action support? I also looked at the Mega chassis system and I like the adjustable recoil lug system. That to me would seem a little more precise way to support the action if you go chassis system.

Appreciate your time fellas...

 

[farmerboy78]

I have rifles in both forms... both are accurate. Check out the xlr industries chassis... I have their element chassis on my remington long action... it is machined to the exact size of the receiver to very tight tolerances... so exacting I had to give some effort to get the action in it... it is sitting under a 700 LA 6.5-06...

 

[JDGray]

I've had quite a few aluminum bedding block stocks(McRee, HS Precision, B&C Medalist), all had outstanding accuracy

 

[WYOMan]

I have mine in a B&C Medalist. I still skim bedded it around the action, and bedded the barrel under the chamber.

 

[9mmepiphany]

My thought is when you can 3 dimensionality support the action with bedding, how can a chassis system be as accurate because your'e not fully supporting the action the same way

With that logic, to remain consistent, you'd have to believe that a free floated barrel could not be as accurate as a fully bedded barrel.

 

[taliv]

Some people will skim bed chassis. It's usually not necessarily. As gap when you get it done.

Both my match rifles are in sentinel stocks with their integrated bedding block and no skim bedding. They shoot very well.

If you get the AIAW complete rifle it will be glued in.

 

[R.W.Dale]

The action supports itself. It doesn't "need" support nor does the barrel.

What it does need is a consistent mechanical connection to the stock. The machined metal surfaces of a chassis does this better than a bunch of goop smeared in a plastic, wood or fiberglass stock.

 

[dh1633pm]

I have a 700 Milspec in 308 in an KRG Xray chassis. Although the original H&S Precision stock was also aluminum bedded. Both are more accurate than me.

R.W.Dale said it about best. Aluminum is better than goop.

 

[taliv]

i think that needs clarification. aluminum allows you to screw the action to the stock in a few seconds yourself, and that is better than shipping your gun somewhere and paying a smith to bed it, and hoping he doesn't screw it up.

that's not to say that aluminum bedding block or chassis is capable of more accuracy than goop

 

[blackops]

I guess my next question would be why would companies like GAP bed all of their rifles and not utilize bedding blocks then if they're just as accurate? They are making some of the most accurate rifles in the country hands down and their rifles come fully bedded.

 

[R.W.Dale]

I guess my next question would be why would companies like GAP bed all of their rifles and not utilize bedding blocks then if they're just as accurate? They are making some of the most accurate rifles in the country hands down and their rifles come fully bedded.

What you're seeing is a shift in technology where affordable CNC machining is phasing out the older more labor intensive ways to achieve the same result

 

[taliv]

well, hard to say, but maybe it's because the manners stocks they use cost $360 more for the "mini chassis" bedding block, and as far as i know, mcmillan doesn't offer it. so it's probably cheaper to do the marine tex

 

[Bart B.]

The most accurate match rifles that are virtually impervious to atmospheric changes are tube guns. Examples are the Tubb T2000 and those made by Elisio (sp?). Conventional wood or synthetic stocks require their stock screws be retourqued before each use to maintain zero and accuracy.

 

[txblackout]

My they're is that Goop ensures that the stock matches the receiver exactly. Machined Aluminum can get close but won't match the individual receiver. This means the contact points might not be exact allowing shifting

 

[R.W.Dale]

My they're is that Goop ensures that the stock matches the receiver exactly. Machined Aluminum can get close but won't match the individual receiver. This means the contact points might not be exact allowing shifting

This is overcame by the metal to metal fit allowing for much higher action screw torque specs.

 

[bikemutt]

I've converted all my serious bolt rifles to chassis systems; McRees, XLR, and MDT. I've never really sat down and did a before and after in a sled to see what the objective accuracy differences are. I feel much more comfortable behind a pistol grip chassis and always chalked up my accuracy gains, if any, to that.

Having said all that, the only rifle I have that actually came with a decent stock is a Savage LRP which sat in an HS Precision. It wouldn't be entirely fair to compare the before and after as the rifle was going through break in while waiting for the McRees. Moving to the chassis made a noticeable improvement in accuracy, all things considered, I feel a lot of that is my preference for the chassis form factor.

 

[Howard Roark]

Chassis or bedding block without bedding is the way to go. There is no accuracy difference between a chassis or tube or quality bedding.

The difference is in your wallet having to have the stock skim coated every time you change out the barrel.

 

[taliv]

Bart if by synthetic you mean fiberglass like manners McMillan etc then I'll have to disagree. There is absolutely no need to retorque screws with each use.

 

[blackops]

Everybody has their own definition of accuracy. So I'm wondering...for you guys favoring the chassis systems, what kind of 5 shot groups are you REALLY getting? What chassis system is that with?

 

[R.W.Dale]

The last accuracy rifle I built wasn't quite a chassis gun but it used aluminum v-blocks in a synthetic stock with no other contact points.

It would shoot in the .2's reliably. I think the lifetime every group EVER average for the gun was like 5/8"

 

[farmerboy78]

I have built one rifle... I started with a blueprinted older 700 action, 6.5mm Bartlein barrel, and a xlr industries element chassis... it uses AI magazines and all my accessories are nightforce with a vortex viper pst... I'm using the 140 berger hybrid, reformed nosler .280 brass to 6.5-06, and h1000 for my load... when doing my load work, I absolutely had to do it from 200yds + to even see an kind of poi difference. This rifle is extremely accurate!

 

[Bart B.]

I'm a firm believer that any rifle will shoot a few bullets into 1/10th MOA once in a great while.

So says simple statistics.

But then, I don't assign an accuracy level to a rifle or load by the smallest groups fired. Nor do I think anyone should. It's way too misleading. All the other groups are larger; much larger. All shots count.

 

[taliv]

Everybody has their own definition of accuracy. So I'm wondering...for you guys favoring the chassis systems, what kind of 5 shot groups are you REALLY getting? What chassis system is that with?

i very rarely shoot groups, preferring to shoot steel instead, but here's a thread with a couple 5 and 10 round groups that were shot from 330yd and past 500 yards while varying the powder charge a grain and a half. stock is kmw sentinel with the aluminum bedding block

www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=769228

and this pic shows a 3 round group at 100 and an 8 round group from 400 yards
. the orange dots are 5/8" and caliber is 260

 

[Dr.Zubrato]

If im seeing correctly is the question should the op bed the action, or purchase a chassis?

If so, depends entirely on your skill-set and willingness to undertake a pretty serious project. Bedding isnt as easy as pouring goop into the stock and spraying the action with PAM, as internal dimensions need to be relieved to accomodate the action perfectly where it previously bound on the stock. Not to mention a GOOD bedding job includes the use of bedding pillars for consistent torque values when securing your action to the stock.

I would honestly purchase a chassis if you're depending on it, but I personally love projects, so long as i don't fudge something too bad

 

[bikemutt]

Everybody has their own definition of accuracy. So I'm wondering...for you guys favoring the chassis systems, what kind of 5 shot groups are you REALLY getting? What chassis system is that with?

I'll bite. It depends on caliber but, my Savage 10 with Black Hills reloaded .223 69 gr SMK, I see 0.5" groups at 100 yards with an Atlas bipod up front and an Atlas monopod on the stock. The rifle rides in an MDT LSS chassis with MDT adjustable buttstock. Sitting on top is a Sitemark 10-40x50. I'm convinced the only slacker on the team is me; it may well be darn near a 0-MOA piece of equipment. A blessing of course.

Here's my favorite heartbreak 5-shot group, so close...