Rifle bedding question

[missingasock]

I bedded my wood stocked Remington 700 this morning, and realized a few hours later that I forgot to tape the recoil lug. I usually tape the front and bottom of the lug with painters tape. I have read that not having clearance under the lug can cause torsion issues.

Does anyone with the smithing knowledge have any advice? I am debating cutting the bottom of the epoxy bedding with a dremel tool to give the clearance I need, or possibly cutting all the epoxy out and rebedding. I could also just shoot it and see how well it groups. I hate going through the effort of a job and not doing it correctly.

I read about some people milling a fraction off of the bottom of their recoil lug as well, I’m just not sure if that’s an option for me without taking it to a machine shop.

I am using marine tex to bed by the way.

 

[wapitibob]

Dremel it out and redo, not a big deal, I've been there. You can try and shoot it, mine didn't. Tape front and btm, you need contact on the sides to prevent the action from spinning slightly due to rotational torque, the action bolts won't hold it.

 

[TaperPin]

A sharp wood chisel slightly narrower than the lug can be used as a scraper. I used to not tape the lug and just scrape it out each time, but tape does save some work. The same sharp chisel can shave bedding compound from in front of the lug, but it has to be sharp.

 

[Castle Rock]

Sharpen a small screwdriver and scrape out under the bottom of the lug don’t worry about the front

 

[Shortschaf]

Bottom is the only place I want clearance

So I would also just dremel or scrape the bottom of the lug channel until there is clearance

I never tape the front of my recoil lug to begin with. Tighter is better