Free floating a Win 70

[Erik67]

I want to free float the barrel on my Win 70 30-06. I've heard it's as simple as removing the barrel and sandpapering the stock with the paper wrapped around doweling. Do so until you can slip a dollar bill between the barrel and stock.

Is this true or is there more to it than that. I don't know the guy well enough to trust his advice.

Thanks,
Erik

[Jim Watson]

That will get it done.
But what do you expect to gain by the process?

[noway]

You gain no foregrip pressure on the bbl and possible improvements in accuracy. And is the minimun todo if you want the most accuracy in a rifle.

I'm getting to bed a new rifle I had built and will be bed/pilar support the action.

[Jim Watson]

True for a target rifle. A lot of tapered mass produced hunting rifle barrels will benefit from foreend contact to damp out irregular vibrations. One guy who freefloated one said his was actually less accurate, but not by much and he felt like he was better off because he did not have to worry about the walnut stock warping and shifting the zero. So there is a reason, but it may not be what you think it is.

[Erik67]

Originally posted by Jim Watson
That will get it done.
But what do you expect to gain by the process?

I was told as a teen that it improved accuracy. It's a hunting rifle first and target second. From your replies, I need to educate myself further. Any suggestions for reading material??

Thanks,
Erik

[CTtackdriver]

It makes the harmonics of the barrel true. You MUST make sure its fully cleared in all situations. If possible can you go into detail about the rifle. Stock material , caliber , barrel profile , trigger work , 1 or 2 piece scope mounts.

Standard MO if your looking to shoot 1 ragged hole or a shamrock is Free float , bed , clean up or replace the trigger group , 1 piece base , true up and lap the rings. Alsochecking out your chamber with a bore scope , fire forming , anealing then neckpealing your brass (centering your bullet ) all drastically improve accuracy.

Winchester model 70 action .223 rem. HS precision barrel and stock bedded free floated, Jewell trigger , 2 piece scope base ( leveled and trued) lapped rings.
http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2005-4/987275/win1.JPG
http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2005-4/987275/win5.JPG

5 shots 200 yards factory federal gold match ammo. ( with handloads the groups improve slightly. That is a US dime in the photo for scale.
http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2005-4/987275/5shot100yrd.JPG

[eisman]

No, it's not that simple. Any wood stock is subject to dimensional change due to enviromental conditions. To do a good job in free floating a barrel you need to bed the entire action and barrel in a way that eliminates the ability of the stock material to change the pressure on the action at any time, in any condition.

Get a copy of Accurizing the Factory Rifle by McPhearson. It's the best recent reference on doing the job. Then expect to spend a lot of time learning about the work you take for granted. And maybe, a fair amount of money on tools to attempt the job.

[Bren]

The simplest way I found to free float a barrel for my Remington 700 was to buy an HS Precision aluminum bedded, free-floated stock off of Ebay and then sell my Walnut stock on Ebay.

[spober]

Originally posted by CTtackdriver
It makes the harmonics of the barrel true. You MUST make sure its fully cleared in all situations. If possible can you go into detail about the rifle. Stock material , caliber , barrel profile , trigger work , 1 or 2 piece scope mounts.

Standard MO if your looking to shoot 1 ragged hole or a shamrock is Free float , bed , clean up or replace the trigger group , 1 piece base , true up and lap the rings. Alsochecking out your chamber with a bore scope , fire forming , anealing then neckpealing your brass (centering your bullet ) all drastically improve accuracy.

Winchester model 70 action .223 rem. HS precision barrel and stock bedded free floated, Jewell trigger , 2 piece scope base ( leveled and trued) lapped rings.
http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2005-4/987275/win1.JPG
http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2005-4/987275/win5.JPG

5 shots 200 yards factory federal gold match ammo. ( with handloads the groups improve slightly. That is a US dime in the photo for scale.
http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2005-4/987275/5shot100yrd.JPG good info mo!