Ferretboy111 Posted October 10, 2011 Report Share Posted October 10, 2011 Hello all I've just bought a 1970 BSA .243 rifle which has not got a floating barrel but a fixed one on the stock. I'm very happy with it but just wondered why new rifles are all floating? Is there any benefits other than cost effectiveness- fitting a mod etc? Cheers Alex Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
huffhuff Posted October 10, 2011 Report Share Posted October 10, 2011 (edited) I think it's mainly to improve accuracy. If the barrel is in contact with the stock, vibrations can cause it to wander slightly (oscillations and even harmonics). I think there was also a matter of wooden stocks 'swelling' and putting it out too. I'm not sure on cost effectiveness or mod fitment. But I could be wrong altogether Edited October 10, 2011 by huffhuff Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jamie g Posted October 10, 2011 Report Share Posted October 10, 2011 free floated barrels often aid accuracy. because if there isn't anything touching the barrel. so there is nothing to affect harmonics but some rifles are pressure bedded and floating them can cock up accuracy. i dont know about the older rifles like yours and im sure someone will be along to tell you. if it shoots well and your getting good accuracy.i would leave well alone Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve42 Posted October 10, 2011 Report Share Posted October 10, 2011 free floated barrels often aid accuracy. because if there isn't anything touching the barrel. so there is nothing to affect harmonics but some rifles are pressure bedded and floating them can cock up accuracy. i dont know about the older rifles like yours and im sure someone will be along to tell you. if it shoots well and your getting good accuracy.i would leave well alone +1 some rifles are pressure bedded and not ment to have floating barrels ,if its not broke ? Would leave alone mate Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stubby Posted October 10, 2011 Report Share Posted October 10, 2011 why post the same question twice, but 16 minutes apart Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ferretboy111 Posted October 10, 2011 Author Report Share Posted October 10, 2011 1. Not gonna change my barrel from bedded to floating just never had a bedded rifle so am interested about it- hence asking the question. 2. I sent the question via an iPhone from the middle of a field and didn't realise it had sent twice. A Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kent Posted October 10, 2011 Report Share Posted October 10, 2011 Is it the stutzen full stock? if so forget moderators and any thoughts on free floating. Understanding bedding rather than just blindly free floating every tube would be good, too many think free floating tubes is the only way. I bedded my .243 for the first 1 1/2" of the barrel, yet it has slightly more free float cut out forwards of that point in a mcmillan stock (which is very ridgid and stable)the action is actually bedded only on two points. I am not saying this is the best way to bed every rifle and have done others differently but it sure works in this one, generally a little extra support dont hurt in a lightweight sporter yet with a heavy varminter i shouldn't think less than free float. Moderators can dampen harmonics especially a well fitted reflex type, muzzle cans just help with recoil and flip Don't expect bedding to be at fault in your gun 32 yrs is a long time in .243" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ferretboy111 Posted October 10, 2011 Author Report Share Posted October 10, 2011 It's a stutzen full stock yup! Forgot what the name was when the gunsmiths sold it to me. It has open sights along with mounts. Cheers Alex Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CharlieT Posted October 10, 2011 Report Share Posted October 10, 2011 Free floating was adopted as an aid to cheap, easy, one size fits all stock fitting for mass produced rifles. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vipa Posted October 10, 2011 Report Share Posted October 10, 2011 Free floating was adopted as an aid to cheap, easy, one size fits all stock fitting for mass produced rifles. If that's the case why are ALL the most expensive, insanely accurate top end target rifles fully free floated? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kent Posted October 10, 2011 Report Share Posted October 10, 2011 leave well alone then, a classic stalking rifle if you want a moderated, bedded gun buy one but don't deface and despoil that one Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CharlieT Posted October 10, 2011 Report Share Posted October 10, 2011 If that's the case why are ALL the most expensive, insanely accurate top end target rifles fully free floated? You will note that I wrote "for mass produced rifles". There is a world of difference between a top end target rifle and a mass produced factory rifle. Commonly the mass produced rifle will have no bedding and be free floated. As I said, this is the cheapest way to ensure the rifle shoots fairly accurately.The same accuracy could and can be achieved by correctly fitting the stock, so that there are no pressure points along the barrel affecting harmonics. However this costs so it is easier and cheaper to free float the barrel. However, as we all know for free floating to work as it should the action needs pillar and epoxy bedding which again is not done on mass produced rifles because it costs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vipa Posted October 10, 2011 Report Share Posted October 10, 2011 You will note that I wrote "for mass produced rifles". There is a world of difference between a top end target rifle and a mass produced factory rifle. Commonly the mass produced rifle will have no bedding and be free floated. As I said, this is the cheapest way to ensure the rifle shoots fairly accurately.The same accuracy could and can be achieved by correctly fitting the stock, so that there are no pressure points along the barrel affecting harmonics. However this costs so it is easier and cheaper to free float the barrel. However, as we all know for free floating to work as it should the action needs pillar and epoxy bedding which again is not done on mass produced rifles because it costs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grandalf Posted October 10, 2011 Report Share Posted October 10, 2011 Tikka and Sako claim, probably correctly, to be the most accurate 'out of the box' rifles. Both, same parent company I believe, employ the free floating barrel option. My 22/250 will always thumbnail at 100yds with a great dustbin of a Reflex T8 moderator flapping around on the barrel. Moderator off and it is tighter - but I have to be on a good day to notice the difference. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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