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Old January 18, 2011, 02:21 PM   #1
BANG
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Bedding in a slug barrel?

I have read several articles exposing the accuracy gained from bedding-in the receiver/take-down area of rifles, and leaving the barrel floating. Does this also apply to rifled barrels of shotguns shooting saboted slugs, or to smoothbore barrels shooting rifled slugs?
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Old January 18, 2011, 02:55 PM   #2
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Should help on a quality rifled shotgun especially a bolt action. Won't make as much difference on a smooth bore because most shoot more open groups. Bedding and free float may make a 1" at 50 yards improvement in a rifled bbl (from a 2" group to a 1'' group). Not as noticable when going from a 5" group to a 4" group on a smooth bore. All this will vary from one gun to another (some shoot better with barrel contact).
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Old January 18, 2011, 03:00 PM   #3
zippy13
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The typical slug shotgun is a pump with interchangeable barrels. In reality the barrel is already "floating" since it doesn't get any support from the wood. Typically, pump barrels have a friction fit with the receiver and a lug restraint with the bolt and another support at the front of the magazine type. Attempts for more accuracy usually start with adding rigidity to the barrel/receiver friction fit connection with pins, screws and/or adhesives.
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Old January 19, 2011, 08:55 AM   #4
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Thanks for the info.

I should have mentioned that this would apply to a bolt-action shotgun, not a pump. I have a 16-ga bolt-action (Mossberg 190 purchased in 1953) which I am contemplating on using as a slug gun. However, I am planning on getting another bolt-action in 12 ga. and would keep the "floating" barrel parameter in mind.
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Old January 19, 2011, 09:01 AM   #5
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It would only work on a bolt action and I dont think you would see enough significant gain to justify the effort.
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Old January 19, 2011, 11:18 AM   #6
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I have a Mossberg 395 (bolt action) that I built up about 20 years ago. I had the barrel rifled by a gunsmith that did muzzle loaders and a few shotguns. I free floated the barrel and have been shooting it fo years. 1-2" groups with slugs it likes (100 yards) I have another one (Mossberg 395) that I will do one of these days with a Hastings heavy barrel I expect at least as good accuracy. I've been using muzzle loaders for most of my deer hunting for the last 6 years so it's on the back burner.
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