Help Needed

[jlgwiz]

I just finished my first build of a rifle.  Stevens action, McGowen barrel, NSS recoil lug and B&C Medalist (sporter) stock.  When sanding out the barrel channel, a hole developed, see picture.  Now my question/problem,  what do I use to fill this void?  Any help/suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
  jlgwiz

[gunnut69]

Probably some type of bedding compound will do fine but I'd call B&C for their input.. They'd know for certain what to use.. I'd likely use the original formula AcraGlass, not the gel. The original formula flows much more like water and should work better though I'd reccommend drilling a relief hole on the other side of the inlet to allow trapped air to escape when filling the void.

[jlgwiz]

Thank You for the reply/suggestion.  I sent off an email to Bell&Carlson with the picture,  so let see what they have to say.
  jlgwiz

[ogree]

Use some regular plain old Bondo.

[bilmac]

Don't bother. It isn't going to affect anything, the 3/8 inch of steel in your barrel will never know it isn't supported in that little spot. On the other hand if you try to fill it and leave a bump, that could affect your bedding job adversly. The only bad that could come from a little hole like this might be that a drop of water could collect there and cause rust, but if you get the gun wet enough to get water in your void, the whole barrel channel would be wet, so a disassembly would be in order anyhow.

[jlgwiz]

Thanks again for the replies.  Bell and Carlson said to use epoxy.
  "Since it is area that does not show you can use epoxy to fill it and them smooth with a very fine grit sandpaper (220 grit). This will not jeopardize the integrity of the stock.
If you prefer you can call for an RA# and send it in. We are currently running 8 weeks in house on most items."

I have aready spent the time floating the barrel and tang,  so I don't think I will send it back.  I know it probably won't hurt anything to leave it as is but just something inside of me won't let me do that.  So I will probably try to fill it in.  which bring up another question.  Should I do it in stages,  that is put some epoxy in let it set then fill some more in on top or do it all at one time?  As you can tell I have no experience with this sort of thing.

   jlgwiz

[gunnut69]

I would clean the hole with a bit of solvent and mix a batch of epoxy an drizzle it into the hole with a craft stick. Don't fill so fast that the hole is closed completely. This will allow the air to bleed out much quicker. I suppose if you have enough mixed one fill would be OK but I don't know how much actual epoxy will be required. Epoxy gets hot (as does AcraGlass) and the bigger the block the more heat is generated.. If you fill it pretty full then use a piece of masking tape to seal the hole and stand the stock upright to make the epozy go the the bottom and completely seal the hole..without have to fill the entire void..  Should also minimize the sanding.