Scope Rail/Base Bedding

[Diver43]

Cruising the WWW, I came across an article about bedding a scope base using two part epoxy. I fell into that rabbit hole and found several articles and YouTube videos about why/how to/why you shouldn't.

I never have. I have always Cleaned top of gun, bottom of rail or bases with acetone or alcohol and torqued screws to manufacturers specification. Never had one come loose.

Anyone one here bed then? Why/why not? I trust those here more than anybody writing for pay or yahoo on your tube.

[Zee]

My Accuracy International AW, which has served me well through 3 barrels, has an epoxied action/Chassis and scope base/receiver. I can’t complain as to its reliability/durability. She’s my Baby through thick and thin. Hell, Her name is Pandora. Because, you don’t want me to “open the box”.
That said, I have never epoxied any personal gun scope bases. Not that’s it’s bad. But, I’m like a squirrel and change my mind quite a bit when changing scopes and bases. I like options.

If you are married to a system and can’t/don’t want to change. Epoxy that sucker!! If not……..options are good.

If…….you are gonna epoxy. I’d run a steel base as opposed to aluminum. Less wear.

[breamfisher]

MIG weld that baby...

[Zee]

IMG_0707.gif (631.82 KiB) Viewed 2045 times

[CPJ 2.0]

My Accuracy International AW, which has served me well through 3 barrels, has an epoxied action/Chassis and scope base/receiver. I can’t complain as to its reliability/durability. She’s my Baby through thick and thin. Hell, Her name is Pandora. Because, you don’t want me to “open the box”.
That said, I have never epoxied any personal gun scope bases. Not that’s it’s bad. But, I’m like a squirrel and change my mind quite a bit when changing scopes and bases. I like options.

If you are married to a system and can’t/don’t want to change. Epoxy that sucker!! If not……..options are good.

If…….you are gonna epoxy. I’d run a steel base as opposed to aluminum. Less wear.

As amazing as a gun as those are, with tolerances tight enough to field swap barrels with ease…..the idea of epoxied scope bases sounds stupid. Like incredibly stupid.
Hell I know a jackass that machined a scope base with an amazing fit in his garage with an upper level hobby grade CNC machine.
And he certainly ain’t AI with real machines.

[Zee]

When your goal is bomb proof. You bomb proof.

[CPJ 2.0]

When your goal is bomb proof. You bomb proof.

A pin or two installed to prevent shearing if the screws is bombproof.

Machining the scope rail integral to the action is the ultimate in bombproof.

Bedding a base to an action…meh.

But I’d love to tear into one to see it

[Justsomedude]

Just did one on a buddy's 416 Ruger. He sheered 6-48 screws and stretched 8-40 screws twice before I finally convinced him to let me do it. He has a massive scope and rings on it.

[Zee]

When your goal is bomb proof. You bomb proof.

A pin or two installed to prevent shearing if the screws is bombproof.

Machining the scope rail integral to the action is the ultimate in bombproof.

Bedding a base to an action…meh.

But I’d love to tear into one to see it

They have a pin as well.

Bomb proof.

[Zee]

War is Hell.

[12th Man]

As I recall, bedding scope bases was a big thing in the early 2000's as well as lapping scope rings. I think at the end of the day, no one could really prove one way or another if it actually improved accuracy. My first M40A1, the smith who built it drilled through the Redfield bottom rings and tapped the bases with a 1/4" bolt that was secured with Loctite. Talk about bomb proof. Did it buy me anything in accuracy, not sure but it was solid.

[Japhy]

Just did one on a buddy's 416 Ruger. He sheered 6-48 screws and stretched 8-40 screws twice before I finally convinced him to let me do it. He has a massive scope and rings on it.

high strength steel fasteners are in order to prevent the shear and stretch. There are several alloys CrMo and others that work well against shear forces.

[Bigslug]

I'd only be inclined to do it if the radius fit of the base to the receiver was less than solid. Using epoxy to fill a gap that isn't there doesn't make a lot of sense.

Easy enough to check: dry off the bottom of the base and smear a film of oil on the action. Carefully set the base on and lift off. How much of the base gets oily will tell you how good your contact is.

[CPJ 2.0]

Just did one on a buddy's 416 Ruger. He sheered 6-48 screws and stretched 8-40 screws twice before I finally convinced him to let me do it. He has a massive scope and rings on it.

high strength steel fasteners are in order to prevent the shear and stretch. There are several alloys CrMo and others that work well against shear forces.

You don’t get many choices in gunsmith size screws.