How to Glass Bed a Bolt Action Rifle

Larry Potterfield • January 20, 2023
Gunsmithing

Glass bedding, when combined with aluminum pillar bedding blocks and a free-floated barrel, are the ultimate bedding package for rifle accuracy.

We need to bed the contact points in the action area, along with the first couple of inches of the barrel channel.

Larry points to the contact points
Larry points to the contact points

Removing a bit of material from the bedding areas will give the bedding compound a better surface to adhere to.

Create rough surface at contact points
Create rough surface at contact points

Adding some bedding tape to the barrel will let us seal the channel for moisture while still allowing the barrel to free-float.

Adding tape to the barrel
Adding tape to the barrel

Some tape on the recoil lug along with the top rails and we're ready for release agent. This will ensure that we can get everything apart once the bedding compound cures.

Putting tape on the recoil lug
Putting tape on the recoil lug

I'm using the Myles Gilbert bed rock bedding compound. Simply add equal parts resin and hardener along with a little dye for color and mix everything together. Add a generous amount to the relieved area and the barrel channel.

Image relating to How to Glass Bed a Bolt Action Rifle
Adding bedding compound to channel
Adding bedding compound to channel

Now we can drop in the barreled action and secure it with hand screws.

Secure barreled action with hand screws
Secure barreled action with hand screws

After 24 hours let's take everything apart. Glass bedding a rifle is one more technique to the ultimate in accuracy.

Remove barreled action after 24 hours
Remove barreled action after 24 hours

--Larry Potterfield

Related Products

  1. Tipton Best Gun Vise $116.69
  2. 3M Glass Bedding and Masking Tape 2" Width $64.39
  3. Miles Gilbert Bedrock Glass Bedding Kit $40.39
  4. Devcon Plastic Steel Glass Bedding Compound Putty 1 lb $160.69
  5. Score High Glass Bedding Release Compound $21.95

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Larry Potterfield

Larry Potterfield is the Founder and Chairman of the Board of MidwayUSA. He and his wife Brenda, both country kids from Missouri, turned their passion for shooting sports into a career by opening a small gun shop in 1977 that would eventually become the industry-leading internet retailer it is today. For over 45 years, MidwayUSA has maintained an unyielding focus on Customer Satisfaction and continues to offer JUST ABOUT EVERYTHING® for Shooting, Hunting and the Outdoors.

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