Fix to make free floating barrel actually float

[BadMatt]

Hi Folks, I was checking my Remington 700 and to my dismay, I discovered that the stock is touching the barrel. The stock is wood. What fix do you recommend? I could dremmel out the barrel area on the stock. Or is there an easier fix? Perhaps use shims where the stock attaches to the barrel assembly? Any and all suggestions appreciated! Matt

[killshot44]

Take a cylindrical item (wood rod, deep-well socket) that is the same size or a little larger than the barrel diameter, wrap a piece of sandpaper and hog out the channel. Coarse (120) grit followed by finer until you've got barrel clearance and the finish you want.

This would be a good time to bed the action but first things first.

[Chaos47]

Take a cylindrical item (wood rod, deep-well socket) that is the same size or a little larger than the barrel diameter, wrap a piece of sandpaper and hog out the channel. Coarse (120) grit followed by finer until you've got barrel clearance and the finish you want.

This would be a good time to bed the action but first things first.

Agreed, sockets are my go to as well.

[NorCalFocus]

Yup a pillar bed job would be great after you hog out the barrel channel.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SDxr4R21yAg&index=4&list=FL0aDl6gWJ2lWgQCcG3RaTDA

Thats the video I followed when doing mine. It came out great. Make sure you use a drill press though. You really want to keep the holes straight.

[SMarquez]

How does it shoot? If it shoots well, consider leaving it.

[Khromo]

Remington stocks often have what they call a "pressure pad" built into the fore end. This is a raised area (or two), about 3/8" by 1/4", located immediately behind the fore end tip. You can easily see it with your naked eye, and Remington puts it there deliberately.

Some barrels, especially sporter barrels, actually shoot better with this contact area, at least for the first few shots before the barrel starts to heat up. A lot of experienced shooters will shoot the gun with the stock as it comes from the factory to see how it shoots. If it is accurate, they leave it alone. If they are not satisfied, they sand the pads out of the fore end and test it again, with the barrel floating.

Every gun is different. The All-Powerful Internoogie decrees that any contact between the barrel and fore end is automatically Evil, every time, for every shooter in every circumstance. Like most Absolute Wisdom From The Internoogie, the truth is not nearly that simple.

Don't put any shims between the barreled action and the stock, whatever you decide to do!

[Gem1950]

Take a cylindrical item (wood rod, deep-well socket) that is the same size or a little larger than the barrel diameter, wrap a piece of sandpaper and hog out the channel. Coarse (120) grit followed by finer until you've got barrel clearance and the finish you want.

This would be a good time to bed the action but first things first.

[PolishMike]

How is it shooting?

I wouldn't mess with it until you can shoot better than its potential. For most people that is honestly never.

[Divernhunter]

Something everyone who said to sand it out and such missed is: When you are done be sure to seal the wood so moisture does not get in and cause it to warp. You can buy gun sealer at many shops.

[BadMatt]

How is it shooting?

I wouldn't mess with it until you can shoot better than its potential. For most people that is honestly never.

Thanks everyone. I'm going to weigh heavily the sentiments of Polish Mike above and others and I will probably work on my shooting before I mess around with the barrel

[JTROKS]

Have you checked if your action screws are torqued properly. I've looked at Rem 700 rifles with so called accuracy problem ends up one or both action screws are not even tight enough. With a wood stock with no pillars try setting both at 32-35 lbs. after you tightened the screws check the barrel for clearance.

[Coyotegunner]

I am doing a Rem BDL 700 now in 270 Winchester.Picked it up a couple months back.It had those bumps at the end of the stock to put pressure on the barrel.
I actually hate this concept.This 270 did the same thing everyone of them has done to me over the last 25-30 years.Once the barrel is heated a little,group size goes out the window.
It shoots 2 that will touch from a cold barrel@100yds.Then the groups open to 2-3",with fliers going to different spots.
Maybe others as well as yourself will have good luck.
For me,I am free floating and bedding these things.All of them.
I should not have even wasted the ammo,before doing it.

[LynnJr]

I would shoot a few groups then while at the range put a couple or three business cards under the rear tang and front action screw and shoot two or three more groups.
I have seen very few guns that didn't shoot much better once the barrel was free-floated and the stock was bedded.
The advantage to the business cards is no matter if they work or not they will come right back out after shooting and you haven't touched anything on the gun.

[SMarquez]

Have you checked if your action screws are torqued properly. I've looked at Rem 700 rifles with so called accuracy problem ends up one or both action screws are not even tight enough. With a wood stock with no pillars try setting both at 32-35 lbs. after you tightened the screws check the barrel for clearance.

In/lbs, right?

[JTROKS]

That would be in/lbs.