Terminology question #2

concealedG36

First, please let me know if you guys are getting sick of seeing all of my questions. I will do some independent research if that's the case. But, for now, y'all seem to be the best source of good information.Okay, I have another question. After reading the article "In Memory of Christy" in the October 2001 NRA American Rifleman magazine, I want to know what "glass-bedding the stock on the action with the barrel free floated" means. I'll guess first, to see how far off I am. Glass bedding the stock creates a better fit of the barrel into the stock? And, a free-floated barrel is...I have no idea.Thanks again.G36

He Dog

Glass bedding does indeed give a better action to stock fit, because you are using an epoxy while it is soft to fit the action (and usually or only the first 4" of the barrel- first 4" being closest to the action, right?) More importantly, the epoxy is not affected by moisture or temperature and thus does not swell or contract like a wooden (even laminates to a lesser degree) stock thus the relationship between action and stock remains constant and the point of impact does the same. If you hunt with a wooden stock that relationship can change with changes in weather, and probably elevation, throwing off your accuracy. Pillar bedding is using metal (usually aluminum) cylinders around the screws which hold the action to the stock. This too seeks to anchor the two parts into an unmoving relationship. Brownell's makes a gel which is much easier to use than the typical liquid epoxy.