Free floating Rem 700 SPS...is the stock too flimsy?

[streetstang67]

I just ordered some bedding compound from brownells and figured I'd free-float my barrel while I was at it, but this stock seems really flimsy, should I do it?

Also, there are two bumps at the end of the stock (closest to muzzle) designed to make the stock and barrel touch, why are these put there if its more accurate to free float the barrel?

 

[jvik]

With respect to your last question - it is inconsistent contact between stock and barrel from shot to shot that causes change of POI. As temperatures change the wood and / or the barrel can move, causing this inconsistency. However, contact of the barrel and the stock at the end of the stock can help dampen barrel harmonics, resulting in an increase in accuracy. Hence the two bumps - to provide consistent firm contact with the barrel at a specific point.

Unless Remington had something else in mind

 

[streetstang67]

So should I leave the two bumps there or free float the barrel?

 

[Sulaco]

When I free-floated the barrel on my Weatherby Vanguard, I removed the bump. It's kind of pointless to free-float it if it isn't free-floated. Also, I don't know about the Remington stock, but the Weatherby stock got very flimsy. I didn't keep it long.

 

[DMK]

When I free-floated the barrel on my Weatherby Vanguard, I removed the bump. It's kind of pointless to free-float it if it isn't free-floated.

It's not completely pointless. Like jvik said, "it is inconsistent contact between stock and barrel from shot to shot that causes change of POI". Freefloating removes any interference for the length of the barrel. A little consistent and firm pressure at the end dampens harmonics. They are not mutually exclusive methods of increasing accuracy (or I should say consistency).

So should I leave the two bumps there or free float the barrel?

If it were me, I'd solidly bed the action and float the barrel. Then I'd experiment with some pressure at the end. Use some rolled up wax paper to find the right spot and pressure (start with where Remington did )). Once you find it, build up a spot with some Acraglass around a small, flat screw as a base (leave it sticking up a little bit, but not contacting the barrel).

Not familiar with that particular stock. Would pillar bedding the action tighten it up? If not, maybe you need to invest in a better stock. If you have a poor foundation, all your work would really be a waste of your time.

 

[Sulaco]

DMK, I see what you are saying and it makes sense. But wouldn't free-floating the barrel completely remove the need for a pressure point except for the possibility of the harmonic issue you talked about (one I am not familiar with, I thought floating the barrel was to keep it from contacting the stock when it heats up, thus causing inconsistent groups)?

 

[DMK]

I thought floating the barrel was to keep it from contacting the stock when it heats up

Right. A non free-floated barrel might contact the stock when it heats up, or it might no longer contact the stock when hot, or it might contact the stock differently than it does when it's cool, or it may only contact the stock when the barrel vibrates as the bullet passes through it. Any number of inconsistencies could happen. You bed the receiver solidly so it's essentially one with the stock and either raise the barrel up via the bedding or remove material from the barrel channel so the barrel can't randomly touch anything and is left to vibrate in it's own resonance.

What I'm talking about is putting pressure on the stock in a steady consistent manner, so there is always pressure in the same spot, regardless of whether the barrel is hot or cool. Think of the barrel as the tine of a tuning fork. As the bullet passes though it, the barrel 'rings' slightly. A slight bit of pressure (in a consistent manner) dampens this 'ringing'.

If you notice, a lot of rifle makers do this.

Now, I'm not saying this is beneficial for every rifle. It may not benefit a particular barrel or it might be such a slight benefit that it wouldn't be noticable. I suspect that shorter stiffer barrels would benefit from this less than a longer, lightweight barrel would. That's why I'm suggesting that one experiments with pressure and placement. Try it without. See where the barrel performs the best.

 

[Whitman31]

Applying pressure to the barrel is something typically done to add accuracy to standard contour barrels. This helps reduce the "whip" which can cause more problems than the temp changes. Every gun is different, my Rem 700 lost accuracy after free floating the barrel, I ended up adding material back where it was. I found the greatest increase in accuracy after I started handloading...

 

[Richard.Howe]

Any SPS stock I've felt (post free-floating) has been awful flimsy. The SPS was designed as something of a "bargain" gun, and IMO this manifests itself most readily in the cheapness of the stock. If you're going to go to the trouble of floating and bedding, at least give your action the benefit of a rigid platform. There are plenty of good upgrades out there that won't break the bank, like this one from Bell & Carlson:

http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/productview?saleitemid=896034&t=11082005

Of course, if you have 6 months and $500 handy, a McMillan is the undisputed Cadillac option!