Does this scope base need bedding?

[bilco]

So I just got my Savage 12 LRP in and went through the regiment of checking to see if the EGW 20moa base I have needs to be bedded:

When the front screws are snugged down there's no gap, ting from tapping, I can't fit a piece of printer paper or a .0015 feeler gauge under it. Fine.

So I take out the front screws and snug down the rear and it's a damn near perfect fit too: I can't fit printer paper under the front, but if i try with a little careful effort I can fit the .0015 feeler gauge under it. By careful effort I mean I can not slide the .0015 feeler in... if I slide with the correct tension (I don't think force is correct since it is a bit floppy) I can work the feeler in. I feel like I am nearly forcing it though.

So is the front worth bedding with a fit like this?

 

[bilco]

So a bit of a follow up, decided to bed the front because I could see light in a dark room at certain angles and not the back. Had a bit of a crisis first mount attempt to bed - the JB weld pushed the play doh down into the action/throat.

I attribute this to the play doh being much softer than modeling clay and the fit on the front being already perfect coupled with maybe using to much.

So after 40 minutes of panicking, using every type of brush HOPS 9, half a bottle of ballistol, ~350 Qtips, and disassembling the rifle I was able to get all the JB weld out and have a go for round 2.

This time I almost went a little too light on the JB and packed the play doh from inside the action up and when I ditched down the base I put a gob of play doh on my finger and applied pressure up from the inside of the action - wasn't taking any chances this time.

So far looks good. I have another 2 hours and 45 minutes left of the 5 hour cure and I'll pop the base out and clear the screw holes then play doh out of the action....

I think next time I'll definitely use molding clay as it would seem more resistant to moving from the pressure induced from the JB weld.

 

[LoonWulf]

Ya know ive never actually used any hole fillers on thru holes. I I usually just wax which ever part i dont want the marine tex or jbweld sticking to and put them on. If i do get leak thru poping the little hardened chunks off is easy, and the screws will clear the holes just fine. That has atleast been my experience.

Sounds like you got it all set up well, looking forward to hearimg uow the rig shoots.