Page 1 of 1

Bedding on my 303

Posted: Wed Aug 01, 2012 11:44 am
by 20series
All

I have a 1950 Fazakerley No4 mk1/2 .303 and I'm not happy with the bedding on it, the barrel flaps about like the gear stick on an 30 year old transit van :bad:

Now I will admit that I've had a play with the bedding screw and pillar spacer but I'm not sure if I've made it worse :oops: :cool2:

Can anyone point me at someone who I might be able to go and have a chat with and hopefully get them to wave a magic wand over my rifle.

cheers for any help
Alan

Re: Bedding on my 303

Posted: Wed Aug 01, 2012 12:15 pm
by tackb
20series wrote:All

I have a 1950 Fazakerley No4 mk1/2 .303 and I'm not happy with the bedding on it, the barrel flaps about like the gear stick on an 30 year old transit van :bad:

Now I will admit that I've had a play with the bedding screw and pillar spacer but I'm not sure if I've made it worse :oops: :cool2:

Can anyone point me at someone who I might be able to go and have a chat with and hopefully get them to wave a magic wand over my rifle.

cheers for any help
Alan
the barrel is supposed to 'float about' at the muzzle end , how does it shoot?

Re: Bedding on my 303

Posted: Wed Aug 01, 2012 1:00 pm
by 20series
my understanding is there should only be a bit of up/down movement under approx 4ls of pressure, well mine seems to flap about a lot in all directions

It wont hold much of a group, certainly not compared to some 303's i've seen at our range

Re: Bedding on my 303

Posted: Wed Aug 01, 2012 1:03 pm
by RWSENG
The barrel should not "float about" at the muzzle on a No4, it should bear in the centre of the muzzle bearing block at the front of the forend with an even pressure. There are many areas within the forend wood which govern the bearing at this point and without being able to look at where yours is touching it is difficult to advise without the danger of making matters worse. It would be worth dropping it out of the wood to check that the forward bedding block is still in place and that no one has tried to glass bed it in the past.... If it is stringing the shots vertically that would suggest a bedding/bearing issue.

Re: Bedding on my 303

Posted: Wed Aug 01, 2012 1:36 pm
by 20series
RWSENG wrote:The barrel should not "float about" at the muzzle on a No4, it should bear in the centre of the muzzle bearing block at the front of the forend with an even pressure. There are many areas within the forend wood which govern the bearing at this point and without being able to look at where yours is touching it is difficult to advise without the danger of making matters worse. It would be worth dropping it out of the wood to check that the forward bedding block is still in place and that no one has tried to glass bed it in the past.... If it is stringing the shots vertically that would suggest a bedding/bearing issue.
Many thanks, I'll take it apart when I get home :cheers:

Alan

Re: Bedding on my 303

Posted: Wed Aug 01, 2012 2:04 pm
by saddler
20series wrote:Many thanks, I'll take it apart when I get home :cheers:

Alan
Probably the best idea - as taking apart before you get home may result in your being kicked off the short bus & having to walk home from the day-center O:-)

Re: Bedding on my 303

Posted: Wed Aug 01, 2012 2:45 pm
by Gaz
Worth checking if it's been centre-bedded as well, which would cause the barrel to float at the muzzle end. If it has you'll find a raised block of wood (or epoxy) halfway down the forend when you take it apart.

Re: Bedding on my 303

Posted: Wed Aug 01, 2012 5:16 pm
by meles meles
If it does need tweaking, I'd happily recommend either Paul at Thames Valley Guns ( http://www.thamesvalleyguns.co.uk ) or Richard Stork (http://www.thedevizesgunsmith.co.uk)

Both provide excellent service and really know how to get the best from classic rifles.

Re: Bedding on my 303

Posted: Wed Aug 01, 2012 8:25 pm
by 20series
well having taken it apart I think I have discovered the issue is the bedding screw threads are chewed up and it doesnt tighten up properly.

My mate has a spare which he's going to drop off, I'll report back when I have it fitted

Many thanks for all the input (even Saddler :55: )

Alan

Re: Bedding on my 303

Posted: Wed Aug 01, 2012 8:38 pm
by Sim G
20series wrote:Many thanks for all the input (even Saddler :55: )


He gets that a lot........!
bigteeth