Center or Mid-Barrel Bedding or...

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   There is no doubt in my mind that the fit of the forend has a significant affect on accuracy. While the standard bedding methods can give good results, barrel bedding further back (at the middle sling swivel band, or 5 inches forward of the chamber reinforce or in between these two locations will usually give smaller groups.  I have all three of these examples as well as standard muzzle bearing.  
Besides having better accuracy, this bedding method is less prone to change in zeros.  With muzzle bearing, a change in humidity can cause a change in pressure on the barrel in both directions, even sitting the rifle down on its side in the sun can warp (temporarily) the forend enough to cause a lateral shift in POI. 

Stocking up the No. 4 rifle was experimented on years ago and perfected by the likes of Fultons and others.  My Fulton Regulated No. 4 with handloads would consistently put ten shots within 1.5 MOA with occasional groups at or just under 1 MOA. But everything has to be just right for this including a good barrel.  

My DCRA No. 4 7.62 conversion shoots a bit better, it has the barrel bearing at the sling swivel band and the chamber reinforce is glass bedded. 

If I had an original No. 4 that shoots as well as yours, I would not mess with it.  Most vintage type service rifle matches require the rifle to be in an “as issued” configuration.  

 No matter what you do to the No. 4, it won’t be competitive in modern Service Rifle, Target Rifle or other “Hi Power” type rifle matches.  For vintage military rifle matches, it can hold its own against any other vintage service rifle including the 1903 Springfield and M1917 or Pattern 1914 Enfield.  Placing in the top 10% in these matches is all about shooters skill, MOA accuracy is not needed.  In fact, if you and your rifle can hold 3 MOA, you can win CMP vintage type matches.  

I see you live in North America.  That’s a pretty big place. The US and Canada hold vintage service rifle matches, they are a lot of fun, I encourage you to seek them out in your area. 

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britrifles Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: February 03 2018 Location: Georgia, USA Status: Offline Points: 8404	Post Options Post Reply Quote britrifles Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: Center or Mid-Barrel Bedding or... Posted: April 04 2024 at 6:44pm
	There is no doubt in my mind that the fit of the forend has a significant affect on accuracy. While the standard bedding methods can give good results, barrel bedding further back (at the middle sling swivel band, or 5 inches forward of the chamber reinforce or in between these two locations will usually give smaller groups. I have all three of these examples as well as standard muzzle bearing. Besides having better accuracy, this bedding method is less prone to change in zeros. With muzzle bearing, a change in humidity can cause a change in pressure on the barrel in both directions, even sitting the rifle down on its side in the sun can warp (temporarily) the forend enough to cause a lateral shift in POI. Stocking up the No. 4 rifle was experimented on years ago and perfected by the likes of Fultons and others. My Fulton Regulated No. 4 with handloads would consistently put ten shots within 1.5 MOA with occasional groups at or just under 1 MOA. But everything has to be just right for this including a good barrel. My DCRA No. 4 7.62 conversion shoots a bit better, it has the barrel bearing at the sling swivel band and the chamber reinforce is glass bedded. If I had an original No. 4 that shoots as well as yours, I would not mess with it. Most vintage type service rifle matches require the rifle to be in an “as issued” configuration. No matter what you do to the No. 4, it won’t be competitive in modern Service Rifle, Target Rifle or other “Hi Power” type rifle matches. For vintage military rifle matches, it can hold its own against any other vintage service rifle including the 1903 Springfield and M1917 or Pattern 1914 Enfield. Placing in the top 10% in these matches is all about shooters skill, MOA accuracy is not needed. In fact, if you and your rifle can hold 3 MOA, you can win CMP vintage type matches. I see you live in North America. That’s a pretty big place. The US and Canada hold vintage service rifle matches, they are a lot of fun, I encourage you to seek them out in your area.

Irish Blonde Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Groupie Joined: December 27 2024 Location: IL Status: Offline Points: 92	Post Options Post Reply Quote Irish Blonde Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: January 17 2025 at 6:14am
	Very good info. Eases my mind on these rifles with realistic expectations. I am not sure who you were replying to since I only see this post in this thread. LOL. Lightbulb moments with how the bedding can change! I notice my rear handguard has about 1/16th inch of play back & forth. I read somewhere this is normal or even optimal?

Mayhem Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: February 06 2016 Location: Australia Status: Offline Points: 335	Post Options Post Reply Quote Mayhem Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: January 17 2025 at 4:15pm
	I've noticed that too on several posts. It appears the OP and possibly subsequent posts have been deleted.
	.303 - Helping Englishmen express their feelings since 1889

britrifles Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: February 03 2018 Location: Georgia, USA Status: Offline Points: 8404	Post Options Post Reply Quote britrifles Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: January 17 2025 at 4:20pm
	Yes, the OP deleted his post that I was responding to.