Epoxy Bedding

Epoxy bedding of as it may be called “Glass bedding” is nothing more than a two-
part epoxy that hardens to fill the space around an object to prevent any movement.
This product is used in the shooting community in bedding a rifle to a gunstock so
that the barreled action and gunstock become one.

Materials needed: Barreled action, gunstock, floor plate, action screw, molding clay, razor blade, stir
stick, mixing plate, pillars, dremel or foredoom, dremel bits, releasing agent, grease, q-tips, patches or
clean rags, acetone, 1” painter style tape, dowel rods, 60/80 grit sandpaper or scaping tools, pillar drill bit,
small putty knives, action jack, vise, hand files, and let’s not forget the epoxy of choice (Marine-tex,
Acraglas Gel, Devcon, Steel Bed and many more).
Note: There may be items used by a gunsmith that works for them but may not work for you.

1. The very first thing that should be done is be sure the firearm is clear. We may have just finished
chambering the barrel and cleaning up a few items on the barrel or action, but its always safe to
check.

2. Let’s prepare the stock for the barreled action. The barreled action must be fitted at times whether
using a wood, fiber glass, or aluminum chassis style stock. The receiver must sit flat and this
means the opening for the barrel has to be opened. I will demonstrate, you will follow as needed.

3. Now the barreled action sits correctly in the stock, with the Dremel we will create an area for the
bedding materials. I will demonstrate, you will follow as needed.

4. Pillars are a very important portion to bedding the stock to the barreled action. Without the pillar
in some cases the torque placed on the action screws would constantly change because the space
between the receiver and the floor plate would get smaller as it was tightened. Think about the
foundation of the house and the house. The pillar supports the house from moving. With a special
drill bit made for a particular style pillar drill the required pillar measurements for your stock.

5. With the Dremel and bit ruff up the area around the pillar to allow bedding material to fill the
space.

6. Option. Take masking tape and cover the edging of the stock around the areas for bedding. The
tape will protect the stocks finish from the bedding materials and assist in the clean up after. The
more this process is performed you may choose not to use the tape.
7. Let’s prepare the action for the bedding process now. With acetone and patches clean the
surfaces of the action to remove any oils left on the metal. Remove everything of the action such
as the bolt, scope rings, scope base, bolt stops or anything that can be removed, minus the barrel.
With the molding clay all holes, cut outs, trigger pockets need to be filled to prevent bedding
materials from entering. Use the razor blade to cut the molding clay back clean and smooth for a
flat surface. Remember the bedding compound may contact the clay, so the surface you leave will
be the surface you see after the compound is applied.

8. Now the clay has been applied, use the patches or oil free rags with some acetone to remove any
residual oil from the clayed surfaces of the action.

9. With the 1’ masking tape lay out the action next to the stock. ½’ inside the stock hand guard rap
the tape around the barrel several times to create a layer. Remember the tape’s thickness
is .003/.005, each rotation adds that much space in the barrel channel. The tape will also help
centering the barrel in the barrel channel for a clean fit.

10. Time for the real fun to happen. Following the direction for the bedding compound of your choice
and mix some materials for your first application. How much may be the question at hand now.
Only mix what is needed. Look at the areas that will require bedding material and mix
accordingly. If large areas need to be filled, do not try to fill them in one setting. In some cases, it
may require this process to take up to three time for a complete fill. Most of the product will be a
4/1 or a 5/1 mixture rate. With that being said do I need a pea, stone or golf ball amount for this
application.

11. When applying the bedding compound be smooth, fill in all the areas needed and neat. The more
mess you make the more there is to clean up. Try to keep your hands clean. Your product may
require that gloves are needed for safety. This bedding material will stick to everything you
touch. Follow my lead and then you try. After mixing, the bedding material does have a time
limit before curing begins.

12. Only apply the bedding compound to the stock area and pillars. The action and floor plate must
be coated with a releasing agent to prevent the metal components from sticking to the bedding
material. Use either the releasing agent or grease on the action screws to prevent the screws from
locking in place when tightened.

13. With the stock prepared, and the action and floor plate sprayed with an releasing agent lets begin
the union. Set the pillars as needed and gently set the barrel action in the prepped stock. Do not
put in and the remove unless there is a problem. This action will cause air pockets to form in the
bedding material. With the action in place and keeping your hand on it to prevent movement
quickly do any necessary cleanup. The bedding material should begin to push out of the areas
where to much has been applied. Turn the entire unit over and place the prepared floor plate as
needed. With grease or a releasing agent on the action screws insert and tighten.
14. By this time a few words have been said and a huge mess has been made, so let’s clean up our
work. With the putty scraper try to clean back any bedding material that has worked its way out.
Removing this will make the cleanup easier than just smearing it around. Use the acetone and
patches to clean areas around the metal and try not to dig in. Use the putty knife for hard to get
areas. Once the bedding material are cleaned up, remove the masking tape gently. Do not disturb
you bedding work.

15. We now have a fresh bedding job in our rifle. Place the rifle out of the way to prevent damage to
our work. Do not stand the rifle in a rack or in the corner. Keep it in the horizontal position for
24 hours and we will begin doing the next stage of clean up.

16. Twenty-four hours later and it is time to see if we have a good bedding job or more work to be
done. With the putty knife gently cut the edges outlining the action and floor plate area. If
bedding material was applied, break the edge. Remove the screws on the floor plate. They should
be a little tight, but they should break free if a releasing agent or grease was applied. If not, heat a
piece of round metal about the size of the screw head. When cherry hot place the hot tip on the
screw head and the heat will transfer causing the bedding material to release the screw.
Remember that they are hot. Remove the floor plate by gently tapping from side to side until free.
Turn the stock over and set up the action jack to remove the barrel action. Shim the stock if
necessary to prevent damage. Once the stock is removed visibly inspect the action area for pin
holes or worm holes as they appear. Depending on the level of fill in will depend on the work that
is required for further attention.

17. Using the hand files clean up any bedding compound that has run in side the stock. At times the
Dremel with bits may be required. Any worm holes need to be cleared for later bedding. Take the
file and gently run along the edges to remove any bedding compound along the top of the stock.
Bevel any square edges for fitting later.

18. Review the work closely and determine what results you have been presented with. Do I need to
reapply?

19. If any additional treatment is needed review the previous steps that apply, swing for round two.
Do not attempt to just do a spot or two. The results will not be much better than seeing a hole or
two. The surface will not blend. It will leave an additional edge. Scuff the entire surface just until
the shine is removed so the new coat will bond with the first.

20. There may be additional action require depending on the firearm you are bedding. The steps and
procedures that I follow have worked for me for many years, and they should work for you as
well. Remember that another gunsmith may or may not do the exact thing. Our process may not
be the same but the results should be.

Good Luck