Well, I thought I’d done a great job…however…

Remember me saying I’d forgotten to put the mounting bolts in…of course when I fastened everything down, the action move forward about 1/16” meaning the action bolts wouldn’t go into their respective holes BUGGER

So it was out with the Dremel and the “Chinesium” burrs and cut the recoil lug recess back nearly 1/4” to make sure it had good support when I re-bedded it properly…yeah, more bedding compound into the stock. I also took the opportunity to fix up a couple of spots I wasn’t overly happy with and put more compound into those areas. I also put plasticine into the barrel nut recesses so that they wouldn’t cause a physical lock. After cleaning everything up, I again put bedding compound into the stock, carefully placed the action in, screwed bolts into the mounting points then tightened everything down with bungy cord. It looked fantastic. I cleaned off the excess compound that squeezed out, and patted myself on the back for a job well done…or so I thought.

In my rush to get it finished, I’d forgotten one very important point…I’d forgotten to reapply silicon release agent to the action. it was too late to pull everything apart, and I was running low on bedding compound, so I hope beyond all hope that there is enough silicon on the action to release from the bedding compound.

This has been an epic project for me for more reasons than one…not the least being apprehensive and worried I’d mess everything up. It was certainly a steep learning curve, but it’s not a job that is insurmountable and one that anyone here could undertake. Best advice I can offer is don’t rush it and be methodical in undertaking the necessary steps…oh, and look at plenty of YouTube videos.

gelandangan wrote:

How does it shoot ? I am thinking to do the same to some of mine as well

How does it shoot…don’t know yet mate as I haven’t really finished the job yet. I do expect however a reasonable improvement in accuracy, which after all was the aim of the project.

Mate, with your innate ability to tackle a job, you should have no problems at all bedding a rifle. The two bedding compounds I would recommend are DEVCON or Trek Pak. Neither are cheap, but they are the “bees knees”. I’m not sure if the compound I used is still available, but if it is, it is great as well.

Well, after spending two days trying to release the action from the bedding compound (I don’t know how or why I forgot to apply release agent to the action) I’ve given up. I don’t want to cause any damage to the stock etc, and seeing as how the action is very nicely…and securely…bedded into the stock, I have decided to just leave sleeping dogs lie.

When I get to the range I’ll know if it was the right decision, and if things go pear shaped and the rifle shoots terrible, I’ll look at buying a decent used walnut stock off a Savage 10…this stock will fit the Stevens 200 small action. It will mean I will probably have to cut the existing plastic stock off (unless the vibration etc from recoil breaks the bond between action and stock) which goes against the grain, but what must be, must be.

I’d like to put a camo skin onto the rifle, and I believe Mossy Oak Graphics of Warren MI Mossy Oak Graphics make one of the better systems, but they don’t have an Australian agent, making the pack very cost prohibitive for me. The only product I’ve found out here is camo tape (don’t like) or vehicle wrap (expensive). Oh well, I’ll just keep looking.

Vince wrote:

Well, after spending two days trying to release the action from the bedding compound (I don’t know how or why I forgot to apply release agent to the action).

Try heating the nearby metal parts up with hair dryer, it is not hot enough to damage the timber but could give enough heat to de-bond resins.
You may have to heat it up for about 15 to 20 minutes tho.

gelandangan wrote:

Vince wrote: Well, after spending two days trying to release the action from the bedding compound (I don’t know how or why I forgot to apply release agent to the action). Try heating the nearby metal parts up with hair dryer, it is not hot enough to damage the timber but could give enough heat to de-bond resins. You may have to heat it up for about 15 to 20 minutes tho.

Unfortunately the stock is made of plastic (not unlike that used in Tupperware) mate. I’ll see how things go at the range and make a decision then. Maybe the heat from firing 20 or so rounds might be enough, coupled with the vibration etc from recoil, to break the bond.

Well, I had planned a range visit yesterday to test out the bedding job on the Stevens 200 and to re-zero the scope. Of course, my plans went down the gurgler. Rain, and heaps of it, put paid to a range visit (the firing point is undercover, but not the target stands), then I was informed we were getting family visitors, so maybe the rain was a blessing in disguise.

The next day the range is open is tomorrow (Monday), but with about 5km of dirt road to travel to get into the range I think I’ll pass on tomorrow because of the amount of rain we received. So that means next Friday…if the range is open that close to Christmas. I desperately want to get out, put some rounds downrange, and finish setting up the Stevens, but that may not happen now until mid January 2025

I drove 10 KMs to farm.shot hare with 222. Then put222,223,22-250 and 270 on paper to check zeros after scope merry go round again and came home happy. Used 223 to knock off my two house mutton sheep tonight...very satisfying knowing the rifle was shooting straight beforehand.

Elvis wrote:

I drove 10 KMs to farm.shot hare with 222. Then put222,223,22-250 and 270 on paper to check zeros after scope merry go round again and came home happy. Used 223 to knock off my two house mutton sheep tonight...very satisfying knowing the rifle was shooting straight beforehand.

Half ya luck mate. It’s about 60+ km to my range, and as I say, the last 5km being dirt road, and not a particularly good road at that. I’m doing a search today to see if the range opens again before mid January so I can get in some recoil therapy…goodness knows I need some.

Ripley opens on 9am on the 10th Vince

tikkat3 wrote:

Ripley opens on 9am on the 10th Vince

Outstanding…thanks mate.

Only 9 more days until the range is open and I can check my bedding job on the Stevens 308, re-zero the scope and get in some much needed recoil therapy. Best I book in now before it’s too late.

Well, of course the storms arrived just in time to make life difficult for me. The Rifle Range opens for 2025 tomorrow, so it’s time for rain as well, and of course, it has come along as well.

Rain, hail or shine, I am going to the range tomorrow so I can test the bedding job on my Stevens 200 and get it zeroed. I also plan on zeroing my Krico .22 rifle. I don’t know why, but every time I check zero on this rifle the group is centred slightly high right at around 2 o’clock about 1” high and 1.5” right. I know it’s me, not the rifle, because the problem only seems to have surfaced recently. I’m thinking it’s my eyes, now that my right eye is ppphhhtttt and I had to change to left handed shooting.

Oh well, it’s all recoil therapy, so it’s not time wasted, and I have a heap of .22 Rimfire ammo.

Well, of course the storms arrived just in time to make life difficult for me. The Rifle Range opens for 2025 tomorrow, so it’s time for rain as well, and of course, it has come along as well.

Rain, hail or shine, I am going to the range tomorrow so I can test the bedding job on my Stevens 200 and get it zeroed. I also plan on zeroing my Krico .22 rifle. I don’t know why, but every time I check zero on this rifle the group is centred slightly high right at around 2 o’clock about 1” high and 1.5” right. I know it’s me, not the rifle, because the problem only seems to have surfaced recently. I’m thinking it’s my eyes, now that my right eye is ppphhhtttt and I had to change to left handed shooting.

Oh well, it’s all recoil therapy, so it’s not time wasted, and I have a heap of .22 Rimfire ammo.

Vince is stuttering again. Wear a rain coat or an "Outback".

Update required Vince
The range closed over an hour ago