how many bed their forearms vs float them?

[Whiterabbitttttt]

hi guys,
 
right now I float my forearms on a Viton O-ring around the threaded plug.
 
I am considering instead doing a 100% barrel bed from the spacer all the way around the barrel, right to the tip of the end of the forearm, then using a torque spec on the screw during assembly after cure (30-35 in-lb?)
 
I've read the FAQ, a suggestion there is that "some" have put a smidge of bedding at the lug itself and supported an area the size of a golfball around the forearm screw.
 
Anyone bed the whole shebang? How many here in general bed instead of float? How are your results downrange vs float?

[Dinny]

I prefer glass and pillar bedding forends but have been floating with o-rings lately. The o-rings are a lot cheaper and I can do that myself.

Thanks, Dinny

[quickdtoo]

I don't use O-rings much, I use metal instead since it doesn't change with temp or humidity, either a washer or shim stock to float depending on whether it's a wood or syn stock.

Tim

[Larry in SD]

My local gunsmith has my .25-06 right now. I replaced the Laminated Wood with Synthetic. Roger is bedding the rear of the forend (from the attachment point to the receiver) to the barrel. he has made a pillar that he already glassed into the forend to sit on the barrel stud. He made a second pillar that is an offset eccentric of sorts to allow changing the pressure the forend is seated against the front radius of the receiver that will sit over the barrel stud and go into the forend and seat against the pillar he glassed in. From the attachment point of the forend to barrel forward to the forend tip will be free floated.

With a little luck he will be finished next week, and my scope arrives next week so I can shoot it.

Roger has done a lot of bedding work with Encore Forends over the years trying several different methods. When I showed him the Handi Rifle he started thinking and came up with the above method to try.

Larry

[tacklebury]

I just float mine.  Try to keep torque consistent and it works well. 

[cbshtr]

Quickdtoo, do you have the specs and pics for your metal shims? I saw you mention them before but never knew how you made them. Thanks.

[speedrackin99]

I have used the o ring method and sanded the barrel channel of the forend   linseed oiled and seal with exterior thane ........i may try a rubber washer to sit in the pocket ...o-rings seem to work well as a vibration dampener . anyone ever try the sims donut on  the exterior of the barrel ? 

[8uck5nort]

Both.
I pillar and glass bed up to the barrel underlug once I figure how to make a rifle shoot well using the washer method and then decide what stock set I want for a certain. The remaining channel forward of the barrel lug is free floated for no contact. Same principle I use on my bolt action rifles. I also bed the end of of the forearm stock to the plastic spacer. I want absolutley as little movement as possible from anything. I use blue loctite on the forearm screw so it will not loosen unless I want it to. I also go as far as bedding the reciever to the buttstock, and bed the scope rail to the barrel. No unwanted movement or misalignment during normal or even unusual use or after detail cleaning.
However, I am currently doing a full length stock project, so I am not sure if I am going to free float or do a full length bed. Utnil reading this post I have not thought upon it. Hmmmmm.
I thinnk the torque driver is a good idea and I should start setting specs and recording that data too. Can't hurt at any rate.

[quickdtoo]

Quickdtoo, do you have the specs and pics for your metal shims? I saw you mention them before but never knew how you made them. Thanks.

The washers are metric with 10mm hole from Ace or True Value, same one that works under the stock bolt, shim stock comes in sheets, drill & cut em to fit.

Tim

[Ol BW]

Neither.  I have never had to do anything to any of my Handis to make them shoot.

BW