Author Topic: RTV Bed Job (Read 1567 times)

cascadedad · « **on:** January 25, 2007, 08:52:13 PM »

A couple nights ago I did the RTV bed job as described in the FAQ's help section. Mac and Tim answered some PM questions I had prior to starting.

The gun is a 223 HB. I have mentioned before, but this gun shot about 2 1/2" groups out of the box. After adding o-ring, polishing the bore and figuring out the latch needs to be dry, my groups went down to about 1 1/4" or so. The last time out I did have one three shot group that could be covered with a dime, but that was only one time.

Here is the gun.

Here is what the tape job looked like.

Here is what the bed looked like after it was completed.

The bed is only about .030" thick, but there is a nice bed around the lug. When the forearm goes on the barrel it is SOLID and TIGHT.

Hopefully, I will get out and shoot it this weekend and be able to give a range report.

AGAIN, THANKS Mac and Tim. You guys are great.

CD

Mac11700 · « **Reply #1 on:** January 25, 2007, 09:21:04 PM »

Nice Job:

Can't wait to see how it shoots

Mac

quickdtoo · « **Reply #2 on:** January 26, 2007, 05:14:43 AM »

Ditto, looking forward to your range report!!

Tim

myarmor · « **Reply #3 on:** January 26, 2007, 10:24:56 AM »

Same here, good job.
Your 223 is coming along nicely, and I am anxious to see the results.

-Aaron

cascadedad · « **Reply #4 on:** January 26, 2007, 11:15:33 AM »

Thanks guys!

Camo paint job is next, hopefully this weekend. Oh boy, another first.

A question...........How should I seal the wood where I sanded it in the barrel channel?

Was thinking about masking off the RTV bed area and then spraying 2 or 3 really thin coats of paint when I am painting the gun. I assume that should do a pretty good job. I will most likely never be hunting or shooting this gun in a downpour. We don't get that much rain over here on God's side of Washington State (that was for you Tim

). When it does rain, I just stay home watch football, or knit or something.

quickdtoo · « **Reply #5 on:** January 26, 2007, 11:27:46 AM »

knit!!!!

I've used BC Tru-oil for years to seal stocks, it's worked very well over here on the wet side, that would be my first choice, but a good coat of paint and maybe some paste wax on top of that should also do the trick too.

Tim

cascadedad · « **Reply #6 on:** January 26, 2007, 11:33:55 AM »

Just kidding about the knitting, really.

dw06 · « **Reply #7 on:** January 26, 2007, 11:48:36 AM »

Quote from: cascadedad on January 26, 2007, 11:33:55 AM

Just kidding about the knitting, really.

Wew had me worried for a min.Thats a fine looking job ya did.

aulrich · « **Reply #8 on:** January 26, 2007, 01:16:31 PM »

Sorry I am acronym challanged what is RTV silicone

cascadedad · « **Reply #9 on:** January 26, 2007, 01:38:12 PM »

This is the stuff.

http://www.aseansources.com/en/BSB0024/product/PERMATEX/PERMATEX-BLUE-RTV-SILICON-6BR

It can be found many places. Should be at your local Walmart or auto parts store.

Badnews Bob · « **Reply #10 on:** January 26, 2007, 01:59:20 PM »

So you don't knit huh. To bad I was gonna see if you'd make me a sling for my handie and a matching hunting sweater.

10ga. · « **Reply #11 on:** January 26, 2007, 02:50:32 PM »

Quote from: aulrich on January 26, 2007, 01:16:31 PM

Sorry I am acronym challanged what is RTV silicone

Don't know if you wanted to know what it was or what it stood for...

RTV= Room Temperature Vulcanizing

cascadedad · « **Reply #12 on:** January 28, 2007, 02:12:55 PM »

I went shooting today.

quickdtoo · « **Reply #13 on:** January 28, 2007, 02:23:11 PM »

And....

??

gould · « **Reply #14 on:** January 28, 2007, 02:24:09 PM »

Well lets here it how did it shoot. We would like a full report and target pic.

I may have to try the RTV myself looks like I could handle it. Does it harden up enough so it dosent squish down when the forend is tightend up?

gould · « **Reply #15 on:** January 28, 2007, 02:27:33 PM »

One more question. What did you use to keep it from sticking to the barrel?

quickdtoo · « **Reply #16 on:** January 28, 2007, 02:30:36 PM »

RTV bedding the forend instructions are in the FAQs and Help sticky!

Tim

gould · « **Reply #17 on:** January 28, 2007, 02:48:10 PM »

Thanks Tim. I think you should get a helper of the year award. (every year)

cascadedad · « **Reply #18 on:** January 28, 2007, 06:05:43 PM »

Quote from: quickdtoo on January 28, 2007, 02:23:11 PM

And....??

Sorry Tim, I had a minute available to make that post, so I thought I would make a funny.

It shot well. I shot 3 different kinds of ammo. I will post a picture of the target a little later this evening when I get kids to bed. I had an awesome group right off the bat. The next two groups were good with different ammo and then the last two groups opened up a little. The breeze did pick up a little during those last couple groups.

gould, The RTV stays "rubbery", but I really don't think it compresses very much with that large of a bed.

Pictures are coming!

quickdtoo · « **Reply #19 on:** January 28, 2007, 06:09:27 PM »

Mac11700 · « **Reply #20 on:** January 28, 2007, 06:37:57 PM »

Just got home from work...Waiting patiently to see the pics...

Mac

cascadedad · « **Reply #21 on:** January 28, 2007, 08:16:58 PM »

Here is the target. Numbered 1 through 5 as I shot them. The bore was not cleaned after the last time out.
Groups 1, 4 & 5 were with Remington UMC 45 gr JHP.
Group 2 was with Ultramax 40 gr Nosler Ballistics Tip.
Group 3 was with HSM 52 gr BTHP.

A friend was shooting with me today. We were sharing the shooting bags. Alternating shots with our rifles. I would shoot one shot at my target with my rifle, he would shoot one shot at his target with his rifle, etc., etc. There was probably about 3-5 minutes between each of my shots.

After group 1, I adjusted the scope to the right. Oops, too much. After group 4, I adjusted back to the left a little. But, wind was picking up a little by that time.

This is only my fourth time out with this little gun. I feel with the RTV bed the way it is, I will get very consistent connection between the forearm, barrel and action of the rifle. Oh, I was shooting off a rest just in front of the rear forearm sling stud (the one I installed) and a bag under the rear of the gun. I tried to be as consistant as I could with all this today. In the future, I will shoot some targets off the bipod as well as having the forearm supported in different places, just to see what difference if any it makes.

I have to tell you guys, where we were shooting, in some dry farming land, there was a plowed side hill area that we could shoot into. We did a little shooting at about 330 yards and then approximately 450 yards at "spots" in the plowed dirt. My rangefinder could not get a lock onto that last spot which I judged at about 450 yards due to the relationship with the 330 yard lasered target.

That was FUN. Once I got the holdover figured out with the Burris FFII Ballistics Plex it was putting them right in there at these long distances.

Finally, for any of you guys contemplating doing this bed job, it is really very simple. And as Mac and Tim both told me, if it doesn't work, it comes right out. A couple tips that I will pass on that Mac told me. Sand the barrel lug channel a little deeper using a Dremmel tool. This will provide a bed of RTV for the lug to set on. Use a 1" dowel with sand paper to sand out the barrel channel to provide an even clearance around the barrel.

YOU CAN DO IT!!!!

cascadedad · « **Reply #22 on:** January 28, 2007, 09:17:07 PM »

OK, this has absolutely nothing to do with this thread, but I went looking for my elk for next year. I haven't quite decided which one yet.

Maybe this guy for next year.

Maybe one of these bad boys in a few years.

OK, I have to be honest. These were taken at the Oak Creek feeding station about 90 miles from where I live. So, they were pretty easy to find.

Datil · « **Reply #23 on:** January 29, 2007, 02:08:47 AM »

Welcome a board, Thanks for imfo you gave on bed job, and the pictures.
come around often and stay late, enjoy. Marv.

Mac11700 · « **Reply #24 on:** January 29, 2007, 04:48:47 AM »

Wow

...Nice groups considering you were alternating with your friend between each shot...not many people will attempt that........I hope next time out...you shoot at least a complete 3 or 5 shot group before alternating with your friend...Switching between different ammo..can cause the groups to open up a little..so...I would certainly try to get a good average with 1 brand..before switching off....and if you do alternate ammo...you might want to take a rod & brush & patches with you to the range..and give it a few passes with the brush..and a couple patches between ammo...

Check and see if you can get some of that white box ammo everyone is so crazy over...I would like to see how that does with it set up as it is..I think with a little fine tuning...you should be shooting bug holes with it real soon...Keep up the good work...Don't forget to sort your ammo like we talked about..it does make a difference with your group size...

Mac

quickdtoo · « **Reply #25 on:** January 29, 2007, 05:28:49 AM »

Excellent, Lookin good, keep on it!!!

Tim

cascadedad · « **Reply #26 on:** January 29, 2007, 06:24:04 AM »

Thanks guys for the encouragement and keep the suggestions coming. I have been around guns, hunting/shooting most of my life, but never really tried to fine tune a rifle to shoot really good groups. I really liked this rifle from the start, it is my first Handi. If you would have shown me this target, I would have said, I'll be happy with that!

But, now I am not.

At this point, I am hoping to be able to shoot groups like #1 consistantly. Is this part of the sickness?

Mac11700 · « **Reply #27 on:** January 29, 2007, 07:08:38 AM »

I am sure in time you will..you'll just have to experiment with different loads..once you get your Dillon set up..and start rolling your own...

Mac

myarmor · « **Reply #28 on:** January 29, 2007, 08:15:22 AM »

And next time try with the rest under the receiver, this really helps out a lot in my, and most others here, experiance. I like Caldwell bags for this as the receiver sinks in snug.
Keep up the good work. It will tame down.

cascadedad · « **Reply #29 on:** June 02, 2007, 09:33:19 PM »

Well, I thought I would bring this thread back to life, so there is a little background on the gun.

Haven't been shooting much, just been too darn busy. Did sneak out a couple weeks ago and shot the 223. Pretty much the same exact results as today.

Today I also took my new muzzleloader. It is a White Lightning, .50 caliber. There were only 2000 of these made. They were all made in 1994 and all sold in 1995. I happened to find a new unfired gun that a guy had been sitting on. It has a 22" barrel and weighs in at 6 lbs 5 oz. Packs a nice punch for recoil, but sure will be nice to carry come hunting season. Will also put a Williams peep sight on it one of these days.

For now, the 223 has settled in to shooting about 1 1/4" or less groups at 100 yards. If I lay the groups over the top of each other, they are very consistent. Some day I will strip the RTV out and redo it and make it a little thicker.