What is "free floated"?

[drone23]

Can somebody please explain what "free floated" means in referance to a blt action rifle?

Thanks,

-D

 

[Third_Rail]

Having the front handguard or any shroud not in contact with the barrel by use of standoffs or alternative methods of attaching the handguard; i.e. a separate bar attached only to the receiver and the guard is bolted to that instead of onto the barrel.

That's what I've always understood, anyway.

 

[Destructo6]

My understanding is that the barrel has only one point of contact, that of the receiver at the rear.

 

[30Cal]

Right. The stock (and handguards if equipped) do not touch the barrel.

Ty

 

[drone23]

So if a rifle is bedded and floating, then the receiver is attached securly with routing epoxy etc and the barrel is not touching the stock at all? Is this correct?

-D

 

[Third_Rail]

Correct.

 

[drone23]

Thank you for the help

 

[Art Eatman]

A barrel heats during a string of shots, and expands a bit in both length and diameter. If the wood presses tightly against the steel, the pressure changes with the heating. This tends to create a vertical string instead of a small circular group.

It can be of help to insert a shim between the forearm tip and the barrel, but not more than about five pounds of force pulling the barrel away from the stock to allow insertion. This shim helps dampen vibration and can help in reducing group size. I've found almost no rifles, through the years, that do not benefit from free-floating the forearm and shimming the tip.

Art