DesertRat
Member
Hi,
Here is a question for experienced bolt action users. Please describe how a properly free floated bolt action should behave. That is, should there be any noticeable play between the barrel and the last couple inches of the forearm on the stock such that when you lightly grasp the barrel and forearm that the barrel comes in contact with the forearm of the stock?
I ask this as I'm about to purchase a new bolt action gun and I immediately noticed when I first handled the rifle that I could hear an occasional clicking which I determined occurred when the forearm tapped the barrel. The bolt gun in question is a new Winchester Model 70 Super Grade (current production). Winchester LISTS this gun AS HAVING a free floated barrel.
Interestingly, I attempted to slide a dollar bill (wrapped tightly around the barrel and held from the top) between the barrel and stock all the way down to the chamber; however, I was only able to side the bill into the stock to a depth the width of the bill. The dollar bill didn't want to move very freely at all. I ask this as I'm not experienced with free floated barrels and I was under the impression that a properly free floated barrel should never touch the stock (unless of course one firmly grasps the two and squeezes them together). What do you guys think?
Thanks,
DR
Here is a question for experienced bolt action users. Please describe how a properly free floated bolt action should behave. That is, should there be any noticeable play between the barrel and the last couple inches of the forearm on the stock such that when you lightly grasp the barrel and forearm that the barrel comes in contact with the forearm of the stock?
I ask this as I'm about to purchase a new bolt action gun and I immediately noticed when I first handled the rifle that I could hear an occasional clicking which I determined occurred when the forearm tapped the barrel. The bolt gun in question is a new Winchester Model 70 Super Grade (current production). Winchester LISTS this gun AS HAVING a free floated barrel.
Interestingly, I attempted to slide a dollar bill (wrapped tightly around the barrel and held from the top) between the barrel and stock all the way down to the chamber; however, I was only able to side the bill into the stock to a depth the width of the bill. The dollar bill didn't want to move very freely at all. I ask this as I'm not experienced with free floated barrels and I was under the impression that a properly free floated barrel should never touch the stock (unless of course one firmly grasps the two and squeezes them together). What do you guys think?
Thanks,
DR