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> First timer's stabilizing/bedding options
First timer's stabilizing/bedding options
@ 10:36 am (GMT) |
Robert McLeanIn one corner is a Marlin XL7 synthetic 30-06 with 80 rounds through it that supposedly shoots 1.5 moa with the cheap Winchester 180s. I kind of believe him... Comes with a passible temporary scope, 60 round of ammo and 78 once shot brass.In the other corner is a brand new Weatherby vanguard 2 30-06 synthetic. Basically the same price, 500 to 600 depending on bargaining ability. There is a great video for the XL7 on Youtube using this sites bedding and stabilizing compounds. Not a very good one for the Vanguard. I have read the books once and the weatherby isn't a favorite but the marlin is actually discontinued. I want to get my feet wet. Any opinions out there to help with my decision? |
Replies
@ 12:11 am (GMT) |
Jonathan KittermanRe: First timer's stabilizing/bedding optionsThe Howa / Weatherby Vanguard has pretty good results if you search the forum. |
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@ 04:00 am (GMT) |
Robert McLeanRe: First timer's stabilizing/bedding optionsYup, I have searched and there are some good examples, and for alot of reasons that looks like the best alternative. This is my first time doing anything like this and really I don't see this attempt being THE gun. I never had a gun apart before I bought the books 2 months ago.My step son needs a gun and I thought I would bed something with some with him for his birthday. Money is tight and the Vanguard would end up crossing a $1000 all in for sure.. Might be able to buy Nathans product and the do the marlin for $700 all in. I have a wood stocked Vanguard 2 .270 bought last fall before I found this site & I am confused about what to do with it. It was floated, bedded, lugs lapped, trigger set and is a special edition through a donation to Wounded Warriors. Checking it now, it is grabbing around the action, and the barrel is very tight for floating. The bedding job does not look as complete as Nathans technique. My eye sight close up is not so good even with glasses so I really haven't been able to get a good look into the crown. Need some serious light and magnification. I started breaking it in according to another persons recommendations not so different from Nathans. 29 rounds through it so far. I took 2 deer at pretty good distance with a 2-7 scope. Not the greatest shot placement. Things were rushed a bit for a new gun. That, bad technique and little practice for the shooter added up to a poor kill for one animal. Won't happen this year. The weather changed here to much worse at the end of November and I haven't been out since. It is still -20 C this morning. Kind of cabin crazy.. I am also sitting on a new CZ 455 22LR Varmint with a wood stock that I lucked into just before I found this site. I don't think I would buy a wood stock rifle now that I know about how wood changes. The weather here is nuts. Dry cold winter to really humid hot summer seems to be the pattern now. Hard to keep the humidity steady. Step son really wants 30-06 and I was thinking the Marlin might be something we could do to get him interested and may even get it below MOA for cheap and have some fun doing it. Even if it only turned out in the long run to be a bush and backup gun. Sorry, there is always so much to explain with guns it seems... |
@ 08:55 pm (GMT) |
Phil Van ZuylenRe: First timer's stabilizing/bedding optionsHi Robert I had a marlin xl7 in 30-06 that shot around 1.5 moa with S&B 150 gr loads quite liked the savage type trigger on it I didn't bed it but gave it to friend who I got into hunting and he still uses it to good effect. I have a Howa and a Weatherby Vanguard and like them both. Any of these would be a good choice. |
@ 06:44 am (GMT) |
Nathan FosterRe: First timer's stabilizing/bedding optionsHi Robert, either could work fine. The XL7 shape is a bit easier to work with if its your first time. But I have many first timers who have selected the Howa / Weatherby to learn on. There are a couple of advantages to the WBY. The first is that it is available in stainless if you need an all weather rifle. Secondly, unlike the Marlin or parent Howa, the WBY specs generally call for a 24" barrel which can be handy in .30-06 when using slower powders and heavy pills.When learning to bed the Howa / Wby, it can sometimes pay to start with the likes of a Boyds classic laminate, keeping your original stock aside. This gives you both an excellent material to work with, a better stock shape than the WBY, while preserving your original stock to ease your nerves over mistakes etc. There are plenty of instructions on this website for bedding the Howa (Wby / Nosler M48). I can also send prep photos if you want to go ahead with it. |
@ 06:19 am (GMT) |
Rafal PisulskiRe: First timer's stabilizing/bedding optionsHi ,My first rifle and first bedding job is WBY Vanguard in 308W. It took twice as time compared to what Nathan wrote in book but mostly because I was checking everything again and again… Note also that there is much more aftermarket parts for Howa (Timney!) and almost every gunsmith know this action where Marlin is somewhat rare (at least in Poland) I had some issues with bedding parallel walls on my WBY, rushed to the range without proper finished cleanup and ended with 3” group because of too tight fit but after two more hours and focusing on details rifle shoots outstanding groups! Accurizing book has all information you will need for these job. Just follow the steps, use common sense, and enjoy the process like I did. <blockquote class="imgur-embed-pub" lang="en" data-id="a/YCUNc"><a href="//imgur.com/YCUNc"></a></blockquote><script async src="//s.imgur.com/min/embed.js" charset="utf-8"></script> |
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@ 06:32 am (GMT) |
Rafal PisulskiRe: First timer's stabilizing/bedding optionsphotos again...
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@ 02:27 am (GMT) |
Paul LevermanRe: First timer's stabilizing/bedding optionsWell done, Rafal. |
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@ 08:32 am (GMT) |
Nathan FosterRe: First timer's stabilizing/bedding optionsThat is great workmanship Rafal. |
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@ 03:10 am (GMT) |
Robert McLeanRe: First timer's stabilizing/bedding optionsRafal, thanks for the great example, I have read through your entire write-up about your 308.I am wondering about the middle picture in the group you posted here. The bedding seems to have bubbles all along the top, did those bubbles come out when you heated the bedding up before you place the action and barrel back in to set? Or am I seeing something completely different there. I am still looking all possibilities, I even found a new stainless 30-06 vanguard 2 synth at a pretty good price for Canada. |
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@ 06:35 am (GMT) |
Rafal PisulskiRe: First timer's stabilizing/bedding optionsHi,gentlemen thank you for kind words. Despite the fact I never posted anything before, I have been reading this forum from quite a while. So forum members definitely have fair share in my little successes so far. Robert, on the middle photo isn't epoxy, it's stock material prepered with hot wire. Little bit of stock stabilizer can be seen too. I can send You higher quality photos via emil if you like. Nathan also offered prep foto, you should take it for sure. I feel it's extremly important to understood where and why relief should be made. Generaly i'm very pleased with Howa so far, regret only that it is not stainless. Bore was quite rough, but hand lapping helped greatly. |
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@ 07:36 am (GMT) |
Robert McLeanRe: First timer's stabilizing/bedding optionsI see, that is the inside of the stock now. I thought that was a lot of bubbles... My vision up close scare me a bit. I could not see the depth in your stock in that picture until I looked just now.Yes, I am thinking the stainless version now if I go for a new gun. I ordered 2 sets of both the stabilizer and the bedding so I am going to have to make a choice soon. I will use and need all the help I can get. |
@ 12:46 pm (GMT) |
Andrew MurrayRe: First timer's stabilizing/bedding optionsIt will be a rewarding process no matter which option you go with. I had a great time with my Howa. |
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@ 07:15 am (GMT) |
Nathan FosterRe: First timer's stabilizing/bedding optionsHi Robert, I can buddy you through when you get started. One on one can ease the nerves a bit. |
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@ 07:27 am (GMT) |
Nathan FosterRe: First timer's stabilizing/bedding optionsI should add, you can see how thorough Rafal was with his prep using hot wire. He took a great amount of time to make sure the entire surface was keyed. The last photo shows the break out. To the untrained eye it looks like a mess due to the plasticine. To the experienced observer, it reveals a perfect bedding job that is ready for its clean up.Rafal's final comments on the bore are well put. One can have a rough bore, but with care, one can lap to just the right finish, neither too rough nor too smooth. |
@ 09:17 am (GMT) |
Martin TaylorRe: First timer's stabilizing/bedding optionsHad terrific experiences with with both these rifles in 06 so l agree with Andrews comments, set up 2X Marlins & 3 Howas and all ended at or well under .75moa after using Nathan's tuning techniques/procedures.With regards to the Marlin, take the stock off and pretend it didn't come with one. Get a Boyds or similar straight combed laminate and bed as per Nathan's instruction as the original is a plastic abomination. The Marlin being the simpler of the 2 to bed. Would lean towards the Howa for the stainless & after market support and as already said once sorted make very accurate, durable & dependable rigs in a sensible weight range! |
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