Remington 700 Pillar Bedding vs. Full Bed Block

[elwoods67]

I am looking at a B&C Medalist Stock. I just wanted to get some opinions on weather or not the Full aluminum bedding block will be an improvement over my current Hogue Stock that is Pillar Bedded. Or if I shouldn't waste my time.

Currently I am shooting sub 0.75 MOA groups and I've heard some people say it can be the difference of getting sub .5 But I can't really imagine it would make that big of a difference.

Also my concern is I feel that I have my loads down now and I don't want to go through the pain of running new loads on a variation that is not worth the change.

I have a 308, with a Heavy 20" Barrel and this is strictly a target gun (standing & bench).

 

[joed]

I have a B&C Medalist on my 700. Nice stock and my groups are about .5" with a .22-250. Your .308 isn't doing bad but should be a little better. I don't know if I'd spend the money on another stock though.

 

[jmr40]

A stock should fit the gun, as well as the shooter. The Hogue stocks shoot fine, their ergonomics suck. I've thrown 2 in the trash that came on guns. The B&C might shoot a little better, might not, but it won't be any worse. But it will certainly look, feel, and fit the shooter much better.

FWIW I'm not really a huge fan of B&C stocks. They are on the bottom rung of the ladder that I consider acceptable. They are lighter than the Hogue, but still way overweight for a hunting rifle stock. They work well enough on a varmit/tactical type rifle or something to be used mainly at the range so it should be fine on the rifle you have. The ones I have are on such rifles.

 

[Viper Strike]

New Stock

I can believe your getting .75 with that stock. I've seen some that are warped so bad the barrel channel twists into the barrel. Anyway defiantly go for the new stock and do a full bed job by a competent gunsmith. Bedding is like the miracle cure for bolt actions. if you have a load that is working well, it shouldn't change that, it will just tighten up your groups. as far as bedding, pro-bed 2000 is awesome. get er done and you'll be shooting .5, good luck

 

[elwoods67]

Yeah It took working the loads to get the sub .75 groups and it was not easy which is why I didn't want to go through the process again. But my brother has a Savage 10FP and I get better grouping than him consistently on it I would just like to get the same results with my own gear.
The Hogue feels fine but I like the shortened distance of my hand position to trigger. I'm just cautious making any changes to my rifle because I don't want to lose performance and the biggest difference between the two is the pillar bedding on the Hogue vs the full aluminum Bedding block on the B&C Medalist.

 

[LoonWulf]

If you like the feel of the Hogue, do a bedding job on it. You could also check the barrel for contact with the stock. Do it with the rifle in shooting positions as the pinch points may be more noticeable with pressure on the forend. Honestly ive got a couple hogue stocks and i like them, Ive bedded both actions into the stock, and i dont think there would be much of an advantage to a bedding block for me.

 

[USSR]

Given a choice between a stock that has been pillar bedded by a good smith and a stock that comes with a factory bedding block, I'll take the pillar bedded stock (all other things being equal) every time.

Don

 

[WVRJ]

I bedded the Hogue on my VTR and shaved about a half inch off the group size and it made POI much more stable.I think a good bedding job would be a little better than just dropping it in a stock with a block because it seems to me that barrel contact with the bedding for the first 2 or so inches ahead of the lug is important.Even the stocks with aluminum need some work to get a rifle's full potential out of them.Even in the Hogue,my VTR stays under 1/2 moa if I do my part.

 

[elwoods67]

I wish the pillar bedding was done @ a gun smith, but it was the pull off Hogue stock that came with the rifle. The reason I'm looking at the stock replacement is I notice the pinch points and I don't feel the barrel truly free floats as it should. I notice some wear on contact points in the barrel. I was thinking of Bedding the existing stock but I didn't want to take the time to customize a stock that should be replaced instead of bedded. (Also I got a gift certificate at MidwayUSA I'm itching to use haha)!

 

[jpwilly]

Get a better stock then bed it. I've handled the hogue and wouldn't use it for a bench gun.

 

[Fullboar1]

I wish the pillar bedding was done @ a gun smith, but it was the pull off Hogue stock that came with the rifle. The reason I'm looking at the stock replacement is I notice the pinch points and I don't feel the barrel truly free floats as it should. I notice some wear on contact points in the barrel. I was thinking of Bedding the existing stock but I didn't want to take the time to customize a stock that should be replaced instead of bedded. (Also I got a gift certificate at MidwayUSA I'm itching to use haha)!

Before you replace the stock why dont you remove the contact points on your stock so the barrel is free floated? It's not that hard to find the contact points and sand the stock where they are.