glass bedding a rifle

[hatfield954]

Could you and would you, bed a cheap model rifle to improve it's accuracy. I had a remington model 770, that wouldn't shoot consistent groups at 100 yds. I sold the rifle mainly because of frustration from trying to get it dialed in with no luck ( to a relative), so I have the ability to get it back if I wanted. Right before I sold it, I got it to shoot tighter groups by pushing a heavier load down the tube. Would bedding it, make it perform better? Or would that be a waste of time and money, since it is a cheaper model? My cousin just had quadruple bypass heart surgery and will need the money, is the only reason why I am giving this rifle a second thought.

[rscott5028]

It's usually worth a try. ...especially when your cousin needs the money for heart surgery.

The cheap plastic stocks are often a problem as the bedding compound often won't adhere.

How does it shoot now? And, what are your expectations?

[hatfield954]

Originally Posted by rscott5028

It's usually worth a try. ...especially when your cousin needs the money for heart surgery.

The cheap plastic stocks are often a problem as the bedding compound often won't adhere.

How does it shoot now? And, what are your expectations?

The bullets were dancing around quite a bit inside a 10 inch target at 100 yds. I tried a number of brands of factory ammo and bullet weight. It finally tightened up with a 150 grain after I gained some knowledge about twist and tried it. But it still wouldn't group more than 3 without a couple fliers. Groups were in the diameter of 6 inches and not consistent. It was acting better on cold barrel shots, is why another thought of bedding. After heating the barrel up a little is when bullets danced around more. My expectation is to get it to group and stay consistent.

[Dr. Vette]

I'm not sure I'd put a dime into a 770, and that includes to buy one.

I've bedded the recoil lug in a plastic stock and had reasonable success but as soon as possible I swapped stocks. You don't have that option with the 770, so you might just have a junk piece of plastic to show for your work.

[rscott5028]

Originally Posted by hatfield954

The bullets were dancing around quite a bit inside a 10 inch target at 100 yds. I tried a number of brands of factory ammo and bullet weight. It finally tightened up with a 150 grain after I gained some knowledge about twist and tried it. But it still wouldn't group more than 3 without a couple fliers. Groups were in the diameter of 6 inches and not consistent. It was acting better on cold barrel shots, is why another thought of bedding. After heating the barrel up a little is when bullets danced around more. My expectation is to get it to group and stay consistent.

The good news is that it shoots so bad that almost nothing can make it worse.

So, it sounds like a great project gun.

I would try bedding it, and free floating the barrel.
There are lots of threads and videos around on how to do that.

You also need to verify the following...
- action screws torqued correctly
- scope mounts are solid and not moving
- scope is reliable
- trigger is light, clean, crisp, safe
- good rest plus technique and nothing touches the barrel when shooting
- crown and throat are not damaged or erroded
- barrel is clean and free of copper fouling
- barrel cools completely between shots

Typically, there are a couple of concerns here...
- shooter (see video forum here regarding shooting tips)
- harmonics/vibrations (handload or get lucky)
- loose or broken parts (find and fix)
- heat/stress on the barrel and reciever (gunsmith)

The first 3 above concerns are easily addressed. The last one usually requires a smith.

Let us know what you find.
-- richard

[hatfield954]

Originally Posted by rscott5028

The good news is that it shoots so bad that almost nothing can make it worse.

So, it sounds like a great project gun.

I would try bedding it, and free floating the barrel.
There are lots of threads and videos around on how to do that.

You also need to verify the following...
- action screws torqued correctly
- scope mounts are solid and not moving
- scope is reliable
- trigger is light, clean, crisp, safe
- good rest plus technique and nothing touches the barrel when shooting
- crown and throat are not damaged or erroded
- barrel is clean and free of copper fouling
- barrel cools completely between shots

Typically, there are a couple of concerns here...
- shooter (see video forum here regarding shooting tips)
- harmonics/vibrations (handload or get lucky)
- loose or broken parts (find and fix)
- heat/stress on the barrel and reciever (gunsmith)

The first 3 above concerns are easily addressed. The last one usually requires a smith.

Let us know what you find.
-- richard

Yeah I have been through as much of the rifle as I could. I don't think this model is pressure bedded from the factory like the 700 model is. I know a lot on proper shooting techniques and torque specs of the bolts and screws of the rifle and scope and stuff(spent time with a military friend and sniper). Believe me, I spent a lot of time with this rifle. And sighting in at 100 yds was just for whitetail around here. It's only had about 100 rounds through it, so it might just be a project like you said. I bought it new through a local dealer. I have a friend that shoots competition and he was puzzled for a moment.

[J E Custom]

Originally Posted by hatfield954

Could you and would you, bed a cheap model rifle to improve it's accuracy. I had a remington model 770, that wouldn't shoot consistent groups at 100 yds. I sold the rifle mainly because of frustration from trying to get it dialed in with no luck ( to a relative), so I have the ability to get it back if I wanted. Right before I sold it, I got it to shoot tighter groups by pushing a heavier load down the tube. Would bedding it, make it perform better? Or would that be a waste of time and money, since it is a cheaper model? My cousin just had quadruple bypass heart surgery and will need the money, is the only reason why I am giving this rifle a second thought.

The Remington 770 is the worst rifle Remington ever made in my opinion !

The recoil lugs are machined into the barrel and you have no control over the outcome and can't
change the barrel if it doesent shoot.

There are lots of things that go into a accurate rifle. one is a good barrel also a good stock is
required.

Bedding almost allways helps accuracy but on a 770 it's anybody's guess.

There is nothing wrong with the concept but it requires Hand fitting all of the parts and this is
just not practical on a production rifle as inexpensive as this rifle.

I would buy the rifle to help your cousin out , bed it, and if it still doesent shoot sell it.

I wouldn't put any more money in it than the cost of bedding.

J E CUSTOM