Walnut- stabilize or not? Opinions please

[Geoff Flato]

In the history of firearms, yes. In the history of MOA or less firearms, less so.

It definitely takes a lot of luck out of it. I've seen the occasional 100 year old half MOA rifle, but a lot more 3-4 MOA ones

Glass bedding makes it very predictable.

Same with stabilized handles. Some won't move, but a good number might. Stabilizing eliminates that.
This is of course woods that will accept stabilizing. I doubt a block of Brazilian Rosewood or Lignum Vitae would take much if any resin

 

[jdm61]

Was Ben Comfort's 1935 300 H&H Wimbledon Cup rifle glass bedded? I'm not sure when FRP became commonly available. The basic components of the composite were not invented until the mid 1930's and as far as i know, epoxy was not really used outside of the electrical and aircraft industries until much later. At least in the boating industry, I don't think of "fiberglass" being widely used until the late 50's or early 60's,and even then, polyester was there common resin.

 

[mete]

The very oily ones and dense ones usually don't need or take stabilizing well'

Fiberglass -- there is the normal fiberglass which is 30 % glass and the rest resin . Then there is "pultruded " fiberglass which is 70 % glass and the rest resin.

 

[Kevin McGovern]

Was Ben Comfort's 1935 300 H&H Wimbledon Cup rifle glass bedded? I'm not sure when FRP became commonly available. The basic components of the composite were not invented until the mid 1930's and as far as i know, epoxy was not really used outside of the electrical and aircraft industries until much later. At least in the boating industry, I don't think of "fiberglass" being widely used until the late 50's or early 60's,and even then, polyester was there common resin.

I don't know, but it certainly could have been pillar bedded.

 

[DukeHarley]

Thanks for the help guys I appreciate the experiences and opinions.

Jay

 

[jdm61]

I don't know, but it certainly could have been pillar bedded.

It was pretty trick for its time. Griffin & Howe built on a 1917 Enfield action with a very heavy Winchester barrel and a Winchester A5 scope. Ammo was apparently custom loaded for him by Western.

 

[Kevin McGovern]

It was pretty trick for its time. Griffin & Howe built on a 1917 Enfield action with a very heavy Winchester barrel and a Winchester A5 scope. Ammo was apparently custom loaded for him by Western.

If the barrel is heavy enough, bedding isn't as critical. So makes sense.

 

[jdm61]

The choice of round was very interesting. A long heavily taped cases are not supposed to be inherently accurate, but the H&H rounds were. They were originally designed for cordite, but in 1935, IMR 4064 powder were introduced for "magnum" rounds. The Germans were the leaders in powder development WW1, but we caught up and perhaps surpassed them eventually based development done for artillery powder. Slower burning propellants originally designed for cannons were the basis for slower burning "magnum" powder of later years.