Bedding The Model 504 Remington Receiver Ring

The Model 504 Remington .22 rimfire rifle is capable of match grade accuracy, although bedding improvement is likely required or accuracy may be compromised. One crucial bedding area involves the very forward part of the receiver ring, which is only about a quarter inch in length. By comparison to most receiver ring bedding surfaces, this span provides only 0.025 inch of surface compared with a full inch on most rifles.

This does, however, provide an adequate surface for bedding, provided it is very solid and properly fitted to the receiver. Brass is a good choice for making this bedding support. This can be formed from a worked over piece of brass pipe coupling or the like, which saves a lot of work. Immediately back of the leading edge of the receiver is a diagonally positioned barrel lock down bolt.

This partially countersunk socket head bolt is mortised into the stock with the end of the screw protrud- The function of this locking bolt secures the barrel to the receiver. Note the linear slit in the receiver with the lock bolt encroaching the primary bedding surface. This design makes it a very problematic area. ing through the opposing side of the receiver. This screw poses a real problem in bedding the remaining portion of receiver.

This front receiver screw enters the bottom of the receiver ring about a quarter inch rearward of the leading edge. A small notch must be cut in the brass bedding piece for screw passage at this juncture. The Receiver Bedding Ring A lathe was used to machine the special brass part to exact receiver

The front action screw passes through the half-moon shaped cutout seen at center. ring diameter. It was then cut to half circle shape for precise receiver ring fit. Then, with the part ready, a channel was made in the stock, allowing space for Brownells Steel Bed used as the bedding/bonding material. During installation a drop of cement was applied to each corner of the receiver bedding ring to hold it temporarily in place onto the receiver.

Release agent was placed where needed, avoiding contact with the brass bedding ring. Steel Bed was then mixed and the action lowered into the stock with the rear and center screws drawing it down and holding it in place. After 12 hours the action was removed from the stock and excess bedding material removed. Conclusions Anytime top accuracy is expected from a rifle, all areas of the action bedding must be considered.

In the case of the Model 504 Remington, the forward area of the receiver is The three action screws were alternately torqued to test for action springing and finally torqued to 20 inch-pounds. The rifle was then tested for accuracy and it showed noticeable improvement. The stock is masked to prevent over spillage of bedding material onto the stock.

American Gunsmith Mailing List Policy Like many other publishers, we make portions of our customer list available to carefully screened companies that offer products and services we believe you may enjoy. If you do not wish to receive these offers, and/or information, please let us know by contacting us at: The through hole is shown where the front receiver screw draws the receiver ring solidly into the brass pillar.

The rear tang bedding and screw were added as additional bedding support to achieve better accuracy. a problematic area that can be corrected with a specially fitted bedding device. It is likely to help bring out those smaller groups on target. AG Action screw tension was varied on these tests to demonstrate the effectiveness of the overall bedding system. The two lower groups were shot with the action screws improperly tightened.

The four very good groups at top are the result of a properly bedded front receiver ring torqued to 20 inch-pounds. A Wheeler Engineering FAT Wrench was used to achieve proper screw torque. American Gunsmith Opt-Out Program Norwalk, CT 06854 Please include your current mailing label.