Generally accepted clearance for a free-floated barrel?

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15 September 2011, 03:23

sns2

Generally accepted clearance for a free-floated barrel?

Hi Guys,

Is there a generally accepted clearance between a stock and a free-floated barrel? I have been doing some sanding on an aftermarket stock because the gap was quite tight on one side, which I think may have contributed to erratic groups.

Thanks for your help.

15 September 2011, 04:16

lee440

The old standard was a crisp dollar bill should be able to slide under the barrel from the foreend to the end of the chamber.

15 September 2011, 07:11

kcstott

Depends on what you want.
Fine wood hunting rifle. .005"
Target tactical .030" and up

15 September 2011, 08:39

bartsche

How bout .050". That seems about right.

roger

Old age is a high price to pay for maturity!!! Some never pay and some pay and never reap the reward. Wisdom comes with age! Sometimes age comes alone..

15 September 2011, 09:03

Westpac

Every gun is different and the amount is based on where and by how much the particular barrel moves when it heats up. You need to float the barrel until there is no contact between it and the forearm whether the barrel is hot or cold. You also need to take into account any potential movement of the forearm. The barrel must still be free floating regardless of where things move. Under adverse hunting conditions, a crisp dollar bill's worth ain't enough.

Initially, I like to float a barrel enough to where I can smack the forearm from any direction without detecting any contact with the barrel.

_______________________________________________________________________________
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15 September 2011, 09:38

ramrod340

quote:
Under adverse hunting conditions, a crisp dollar bill's worth ain't enough.

I have no set guage but it is for sure more than a $ bill. More like 2-3 layers of masking tape

15 September 2011, 17:59

butchloc

if a $1 bill isn't enough - would a $5 work OK

17 September 2011, 08:06

Toomany Tools

I use 2 layers of 10 mil pipe wrap tape for most rifles.

17 September 2011, 21:13

Rub Line

quote:
Originally posted by butchloc:
if a $1 bill isn't enough - would a $5 work OK

I don't use anything smaller than a C-note.

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18 September 2011, 01:11

Rae59

Wouldn't it depend even more on whether or not the action is bedded and what type of stock it is - plastic, wood, fiberglass, etc.????

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18 September 2011, 04:31

dwheels

The stock for my wifes 243 ended up being .017. I think I used two layers of electrical tape wrapped around the barrel at the end of the forend and halfway between the forend tip and action. The action is bedded at the tang and under the front screw with the first inch of the barrel also bedded. It could be a little more, maybe .025 -.030 but not much more on this one. DW