Help with Model 700 build please

[crittergitter]

I'm reworking my 338 edge. It has a 34" barrel that is around 8 pounds. I have it bedded about 5" in front of the lug to take pressure off the action screws. I have noticed some scuff marks developing in the last inch of that bedding job. I want to free float it completely, but I'm not sure how much stress that will put on the action screws. Can anyone tell me if it would be a mistake to try a free floated setup with that barrel length and weight?

[aitrble]

If your tube is that long, a barrel block would be the way to go.

[trueblue]

My recommendation would be to cut the barrel to 30" and free float it.

[RockZ]

How does it shoot the way it is now?

[Kevin Cram]

A 34" 8 lbs. barrel hanging off a Remington is alot for the action screws to handle. But I've seen full 1.250" barrels 30" long hanging off a Remington and they shot just great. Remove the chamber bedding and see how it shoots and go from there.

[crittergitter]

It was shooting great until here recently. I have blamed the issue on the scope and am sending it back to Bushnell (Elite 4200 tactical), but I found these pressure points in the bedding while I was diagnosing the problem. I thought I might try free floating the whole thing, but I don't want to over stress the action screws in the process.

[specweldtom]

I would leave about 1" of bedding in front of the recoil lug, and relieve the rest so the barrel floats from there out. I would also cut and crown at 30 - 31 inches. If the stock is pillar blocked, I would torque the action screws to 75 inch/lbs. If you want to leave the barrel at 34", the barrel block sounds like a good idea.

Just what I would do if it was mine. Tom