Bedding or adjusting stock
 

I have a question about a synthetic stock. It is on a Weatherby Vangaurd. I have bedded a few wood stocked rifles so I'm familiar with the basics. My question I guess is more about the barrel channel. The rifle shoots pretty good, one inch with 2 groups of 2 touching usually about an inch apart and the one flyer opens the group up to 1.50,its theoccasional flyer that is bothering me. I noticed the barrel channel is pretty tight against the barrel almost the length of the forearm. If I remove some of the material will it effect the accuracy in a negative way? Could this be one of the reasons Weatherby's shoot so well? Does anyone have a Vangaurd they could look at and see if theirs is the same way?

RE: Bedding or adjusting stock
 

Well to start with,I would not be happy with 1-1/2" groups as I have seen much better groups out of the howa rifles.As to floating the barrel,it may improve accuracy or make it worse,but it will usuallyresult in a more consistant point of impact.The only way to find out is to float the barrel and find out.As to weatherby rifles being so accurate,the weatherby accuracy guarantee is in fact not as good as the accracy that is required by sako and tikka.In fact I find that on average,the weatherby rifles are no more accurate than any other comparably priced rifle.

RE: Bedding or adjusting stock
 

That is why I'm asking the question

RE: Bedding or adjusting stock
 

If I owned this rifle, I would try free floating it - knowing that there is a risk it won't shoot as well. When you relieve the barrel channel, be a little on the generous side. Then put some bedding compound (JB Weld is good) under the first 1.5 inches of the barrel and, with the gun assembled, pry the forend of the stock away from the barrel about 1/4" with a small screwdriver - and let it dry.

If that doesn't improve the accuracy (I'm talking lotsa testing here), you might have to resign yourself that it needs forend tension. At that point, I'm looking to sell the gun . . . . but if you don't, you could add the forend tension back back by putting some JB Weld under the forend and prying it away from the barrel with a small screwdriver again - let it dry.