If it ain't broke don't fix it - a cautionary tale

[guns-o-fun]

I am a high school science teacher, so I have to fit in hunting days on a very tight schedule and trying to get time off is a major pain.  Buck gun season started up near our place in the mountains recently and I took a couple of "personal days" off to take advantage.  I rushed through to try to make sure that the ammo I had loaded for my handis was working like it should and that my handis were ready to go.  I noticed on my 500, that I had not sanded down my acraglass pillar bedding job ala M. McPherson.  This, along with a recrown, had turned the 500 into an accurate shooter.  I sanded it down.  Well, all of a sudden I was back to a 3-4 inch spread at 50 yards.  So, in a panic, I decided to try RTV bedding the entire forend.  Did it restore accuracy?  I don't know - it did not quite completely cure in time to take it hunting.  I had to switch to my old pre-safety Marlin 35 rem lever gun instead.  Moral of the story - if what you do works - even if flawed, just leave it alone.  What an idiot.  I was all set to take my nice compact, relatively light 500 up a rather steep mountainside -but stupidity intervened.

[gomerdog]

Don't be so hard on yourself. There's  nothing wrong with trying to make a great thing better. You had a plan and it just didn't work out; so when time permits, you will fix it. The important thing is that you had a back up plan (like most teachers I know). Let us know how the 35 worked out for you.

BTW, I understand about the time off thing. I teach sixth grade, and spending time creating lesson plans for a sub is such a PITA that it's barely worth it to take a day off.

[rickt300]

Many of us have broken that rule but I don't do it any longer during hunting season.

[Swampman]

You were probably better off with the Marlin anyway.  I'm looking for a .35 myself.

[rickt300]

I also have a 1957 Marlin in 35 Remington. Can't slight your backup rifle.

[guns-o-fun]

Swampman,

I got mine in a pawn shop for a little over $200.  I RTV bedded the forend and put a layer of RTV between the magazine tube and the barrel and made sure they were not touching anywhere.  It now shoots the Hornady leverevolution ammo into small groups.  I love the gun.  It is from the days when Marlin was making their lever guns look a lot more like Winchesters without the fat forends and stocks.  Only has the half-cock safety feature, too.  A little heavier than the handi, but not a lot.  It seems to have stood up well to the absolutely miserable weather I had.  Even though I perched on a hill above an obvious active deer trail, nothing was moving.  You couldn't have heard a hummer coming though the brush for all the rain (at about 40 degrees, no less), and then the mist came along the side of mountain.  Some days are like that.  Weather forcast called for "a passing early morning shower."

[Graybeard]

That is a basic truth most have to learn the hard way. It's just human nature it seems to keep tinkering with things even after they are good enough. Often it works out badly as you found out.