Bedding a #4 mk1

[Black Lab]

Hi, I have a #4 sporter that has no historical value. It is in overall very nice condition. The barrel has been cut back 1/4" so I thought I would build myself a poor man's "Sniper Rifle" I bought a new fore stock and I am in the bedding stage. I have been studying the The Canadian Marksman (Bedding the 7.62mm No.4 Rifle) - 1965 (click here) pages but I am stumped looking at sketch #3 I can't be sure if I am looking at the top or bottom of the stock. I need to move my barrel over to the left.

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[spinecracker]

I think you are looking from the top down into the area in the fore-end for the receiver, magazine, etc, otherwise you would not see the draws.

[Black Lab]

I think your right. I was thinking it may be a x-ray type picture. I'll try sanding the right side a bit. I glass bedded the back side to make a very even contact and can see there is a bit to take down. Thanks, Jack

[jmoore]

Is top view. Note that those are bedding instructions for the 7.62 variant and includes center bedding- not generally recommended for 303's. You should have more info SHORTLY. Several forumers have quite the knowledge base! Time for dayshift to take over...

[tbonesmith]

I had the same problem with a No 5 recently and patched the draws to fit it correctly. There is an article in Peter Laidler's list of articles which very precisely describes the method used to "re-fit" a worn stock correctly. Here's the link: "Worn draws in your No1, 4 or 5 fore-end .... " (by Peter Laidler) Also there is more information and illustrations from Ed Horton in this thread: regarding No 4 and No 5 rifle bedding - Military Surplus Collectors Forums
I've since done a couple No1's and you've got be very, very careful about the amount of adjustment you make (by fitting the draws and collar) as it is a very sensitive fit. ie. it is easy to take too much off.

[spinecracker]

I did a "quick fix" on the draws of my 1943 BSA No.4 Mk.1 (actually just to see how much wood needs to be added) by cutting up a business card, placing a piece of card over each draw, re-assembling, disassembling, sanding down any high points on the back of the fore-end (where it contacts the butt socket), then re-assembling, ad nauseam, until I had a good fit with the fore-end and correct position and lift-off pressure at the muzzle. If I ever get round to replacing the draws (the rifle was FTR'd in 1949 and the draws were replaced then, so all I would be doing is repeating the repair, as per Peter Laidler's instructions on the matter), then I will remove the card, but the rifle is now getting sub 1" groupings at 100 yards with old WW2 surplus ammo, and I think the groupings will shrink even more with good commercial ammo (and reloads if I ever get to that) and improvement of my (almost non-existent) shooting skills.

I think the point of my little ramble is that, as tbonesmith noted, the fit of the draws is vital to proper bedding of the fore-end.

[Black Lab]

I was thinking that the bedding for the 303 and the. 7.62 would be similar. I " think " I have the draws down OK. I stuck a .005 feeler gauge in behind the fore stock tightened everything and the barrel is centered. I think I will smear some JB weld on both sides of a piece of paper and tack it to the appropriate side of the rear fore stock and see how that works. I'll keep you posted. Jack . Got to Go