The Accurate Reloading Forums
Relieve screw holes in stock?

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08 January 2011, 10:31
Sevens
Relieve screw holes in stock?
Do you guys increase the diameter of the holes in the stock that the screws go through to attach the floorplate to the action? I seem to remember reading that after you glass bed the stock, you want to run a drill through the holes in the stock to enlarge them so the action screws are, in a sense, free floated.
08 January 2011, 14:02
<Mike McGuire>
Yes. The screws should be clear. And actions like Howa, Ruger, Mauser and similar should have clearance at the back of the tang. I just put masking tape around the tang and a very small amount folded under the tang.

The M70 should have clearance behind the square thread section that is under the tang.

Rem 700 and Wby Mark V tangs sit completely on top of the stock and so need nothing special.

In short, only the recoil lug should have bedding behind it.
08 January 2011, 22:21
Sevens
How large should you enlarge the screw holes?
08 January 2011, 23:16
<Mike McGuire>
I have never measured what I do but at a guess the I would have the hole about 1/16" or so bigger in diameter. But even if it was only a few thou that would be OK.

I also put a few wraps of masking tape around the screw. The reason being the screws can be out of roud, especially when they have been buffed a few times with a steel buff to remove epoxy. If the screws are out of round then they can be very difficul to get out even though there is release agent on them.