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Synthethic Stock Question

victorj19
Most of my rifles are wood but I have a Rem 700ML with a synthetic stock and am bidding on a a center fire bolt rifle in 223with a synthetic stock. Is accurracy improved by free floting or glass bedding? I suspect not but would like confirmation or learn something new today.

While we're on the general topic, are laminated stocks improved with free floating or bedding?

Thanks

Jim
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Comments

5 comments

Date Votes
  • charliemeyer007
    I find that every rifle is an individual. Some do better free floated, some fully bedded. My preferred approach is to have about 5 lbs of up pressure on the barrel in the last 1/2" of stock contact. The purpose is to dampen vibrations. I think laminated stocks move around less than regular wood. Synthetic's move even less but are usually no joy too look at. I really enjoy nice wood but its really hard to seal them up to be immune to weather.
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  • RCrosby
    +1 Everything that Charlie said![:D]
    There are no general rules other than the one that trumps them all; EACH GUN IS A RULE UNTO ITSELF, or, as one of the wiser sages in these parts so often says, YOUR RESULTS MAY VARY.
    My own routine is to first determine if the rifle is preforming as I think it should before I change anything. If not, I'll free float, try that; add some pressure on the foreend tip, try that;
    next is to glass bed under the chamber, and finally full length.
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  • 511pe
    You ask a serious tech question, really. To only address the stock question assuming all other variables are exactly the same. It depends on what it does to then improve. Pressure applied causes difference. Pressure applied to where on the barrel causes difference. Barrel vibration causes difference. Barrel insulation causes difference. Free floating has been ideal for better accuracy than stocks applying pressure and then screws come loose and you tighten them seemingly varying shot results. The only difference is how long the service life. Wood that is not sealed is hydro-scopic and may rust your barrel unlike plastic. Plastics like to shrink over time and crack. Once broken it needs to be replaced unlike wood. Plastic maybe lighter. Some pest repellents might soften or attack plastic. Laminate stocks are said to be like plywood and more strong than a solid peace of wood. But all the above applies the same way. When in doubt free float!
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  • victorj19
    Any recommendations on a method to remove plastic to free float a barrel? Hand sand with a finer sand paper progresing to very fine ( eg., start with 150 and move to 400 or higher)? Take enough off so that a dollar bill will freely slide beneath the stock & barrel?
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  • victorj19
    Never mind. I ran a search in GB on free floating and there's plenty of advice.
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