mil. mauser glass bedding

[JRR]

Hello everyone,
I have a 1938 Turkish mauser that has had the barrel cut and recrowned at 23", the rear site removed, Williams peep and front ramp installed. I cut the stock back to "sporter" length 5/8" engaged with the smallest diameter front part of the barrel.

I then dremmeled the interior wood surrounding the forward receiver ring, the recoil lug and approx. 2" of the barrel channel up to the slot where the cleaning rod use to be, and the forend tip. I glass bedded the action but not the forend tip. The action is solid and tight. The stock shows the imprints of the ser. # and other marks in the bedding.

Should I now bed the forend tip or leave the barrel completely free floated? I have approx. 1/16" of space between the barrel and the forend. The barrel can be flexed to contact the stock with thumb and finger.

This is my first Mauser project and I want it to work out. The bore, chamber and receiver are in great shape.
Thanks,
Jeff

 

[DeBee]

Did you shoot a test group before the bedding to have a constant to compare if the glass bedding actually helped or hurt accuracy?

I'd leave the barrel free floating for now. I think the stock is flexing and not the barrel (I hope)...

Concentrate on finding a good load that your gun "likes" before messing with the bedding any more. After that see if a shim at the fore end tip improves the grouping.

To have a gun "work out" on the first attempt is at times a feat especially with a sporterized military rifle ... good luck and good shooting.