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Match/center bedding

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FlyPiper907 View Drop Down
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    Posted: March 18 2021 at 1:43pm
Howdy all, 

In my readings, I’m hearing about people match bedding and center bedding their Enfields. The pros I’ve spoken with mention they don’t do that kind of work on these rifles and some discourage it. From what I’ve been reading, it seems like a way to aid in accuracy to the platform. I understand it would probably take value out of collectibility too. Has anyone done this kind of work? I have ZERO woodwork experience but would like to do this on another one of these rifles when the time comes. 

Cheers!
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote britrifles Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March 18 2021 at 2:21pm
In my experience, the center bedding does reduce MPI variability in changing weather conditions.  I don’t think it improves accuracy by a significant amount, but it does help maintain zero’s in variable conditions (less influence from forend warping).  The shooter is the largest contributor to inaccuracy.  

My Center bedded No. 4 7.62 DCRA conversion is my best shooting rifle, perhaps 1 to 1.25 MOA with a scope. 


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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Shamu Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March 18 2021 at 3:31pm
The thing with center bedding is that it only fixes poor bedding.
Bedd it well & it won't NEED center bedding.
If you try it try in in a  100% reversible  method FIRST.
Don't shoot till you see the whites of their thighs. (Unofficial motto of the Royal Air Force)
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote britrifles Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March 18 2021 at 4:00pm
Most all Cananda DCRA competitive shooters center bedded or middle band bedded their No. 4 rifles back when the No. 4 was used in Service Rifle matches.  Was even used in the Palma Matches.  

 Variations in humidity and temperature would cause shifting of the MPI of groups as the forend started to distort.  The worst thing to do was lay the rifle down on the damp grass with the sun shining, it could significantly shift the POA very quickly.  With the barrel bedded at the middle band, or further back, the forend had less influence on pushing the barrel to one side or the other, or in the vertical direction.  Standard muzzle bearing was prone to loose (or increase) pressure quickly on the barrel, or push the muzzle to one side, as the forend heated up or absorbed moisture.  

I’m not sure if the UK NRA shooters did the same, but it was allowed per the rules for SR(b) competition.  
I personally think it’s not worth the trouble.  We are fair weather shooters and not as concerned with POI shifts over the course of a days shooting.  Not many of us shoot out in the rain and sun for the entire day..








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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Goosic Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March 18 2021 at 6:12pm
Originally posted by FlyPiper907 FlyPiper907 wrote:

Howdy all, 

In my readings, I’m hearing about people match bedding and center bedding their Enfields. The pros I’ve spoken with mention they don’t do that kind of work on these rifles and some discourage it. From what I’ve been reading, it seems like a way to aid in accuracy to the platform. I understand it would probably take value out of collectibility too. Has anyone done this kind of work? I have ZERO woodwork experience but would like to do this on another one of these rifles when the time comes. 

Cheers!
If you have zero experience in woodworking, that is one thing. Having zero experience in attempting to alter an Enfield to maybe get it to shoot more accurately is another. 
There are some here that can and have accurized their individual Enfield using the center bedding method and fewer still that have used the muzzle bedding method.  Before you do anything to the furniture/wood. Work on learning how your rifle shoots in its current condition, paying attention to your natural point of aim prior to firing and learning to use the sights correctly. If you work out those nuances and your rifle accuracy improves,  leave the rifle alone. If the rifle, through the original sights, gets a group of five inches or less at 100 yards from a standing or sitting position,  leave the rifle alone. Bedding the rifle correctly only goes so far with a two piece stock design and does not always produce the desired results.  With zero experience with an Enfield rifle,  attempting to bed the barrel into its barrel channel can have disastrous results as far as accuracy goes.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote FlyPiper907 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March 19 2021 at 8:30am
Thanks guys - all great stuff. Mainly just curious about how you’d go about doing it and such. I have yet to shoot my rifles still with the current issues I’ve got with them; the match bedding question came up from the reading and watching I’ve been doing - still lots to learn! I’ve got that “Lee Enfield Accurizing” book coming in the mail as we speak and intend on reading that too. Thanks again for help, guys. 
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Shamu Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March 19 2021 at 8:42am
You might find this helpful. check out 3-2-14.
Don't shoot till you see the whites of their thighs. (Unofficial motto of the Royal Air Force)
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Zed Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March 19 2021 at 9:46am
Roger Wadhams Accurising book is a worthwhile read. Also Captain Peter Laidler's writings which are available on "Milsurps" website are worth downloading. 
That will give you the correct Armourer's method for setting up the rifles properly. The book will give you a good insight into how these rifles have been modified for target shooting back in the day.
I read both before attempting to improve my No1MkIII*. 
This rifle had many issues, (even though it looked like new). It was shooting 6" spead at 50 metres!
In the end I worked to keep it basically standard set up; but with attention to all the little details. 
It now shoots around 2 MOA if I do my bit. 

Buy a project rifle and learn on it; it is very pleasing to see the project develop into a good shooter!
It's nice to be important, but it's more important to be nice!
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote britrifles Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March 19 2021 at 3:21pm
Before you mess with it, shoot it off the bench.  If you are an experienced shooter, you will know your capability and will be able to honestly judge the result.  If your shooting supported (on a rest) with the original service sights, and you get 10 consecutive rounds within 2 MOA, don’t touch it, don’t even remove the forend.  

If groups are rather large, say > 5 MOA off the bench, then it may be worth some investigating.  A shot out barrel will do worse.  A badly fitting forend could also be the reason.  




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