floating a barrel?
#2
Nontypical Buck
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 3,393
Likes: 0
From: Western Nebraska
Floating a barrel is the process of removing material from the stock (assuming one is confident that the action is well bedded) such that a (usually) dollar bill will pass between the stock and the barrel once the barreled action is affixed to the stock and held down with the guard screws. The bill is wrapped under the bottom of the barrel and held from above, passed the entire length to assure there's no part of the stock touching it.
For most of the guns I've ever owned, it contributes immensely to accuracy.
The theory is that as a bullet is pushed through the barrel under immense pressure the barrel actually vibrates and anything touching it will interfere with it's natural vibration, and this causes the barrel to vibrate differently with shooting.
Remington has produced many many rifles with an intentional lump just under the barrel near the end of the forearm. I've removed every one I've ever had and improved accuracy......
Both Winchester and Browning have produced free floating barrels.....I've had them.....and at least Winchester tried glass bedding the recoil lug at one time.
Mostly I think companies leave that to us because we don't always agree.
For most of the guns I've ever owned, it contributes immensely to accuracy.
The theory is that as a bullet is pushed through the barrel under immense pressure the barrel actually vibrates and anything touching it will interfere with it's natural vibration, and this causes the barrel to vibrate differently with shooting.
Remington has produced many many rifles with an intentional lump just under the barrel near the end of the forearm. I've removed every one I've ever had and improved accuracy......
Both Winchester and Browning have produced free floating barrels.....I've had them.....and at least Winchester tried glass bedding the recoil lug at one time.
Mostly I think companies leave that to us because we don't always agree.




