Lapping?

[Trigger]

Hey guys, just bought a new rifle not a shot fired through it. I hear all this stuff about lapped and beded just wondering if you think it's really worth it to get it done. It is a remington 700 sps .300 wsm. P.s. What is lapping exactly...I know what beding is. Thnaks!

[mailmanmark]

lapping

To answer your question........ yes, lapping is worth the time. It's tedious but worth it in the long run. Lapping is essentially polishing your rifled barrel. It helps to remove any residue or slight imperfections caused while your barrel is being made. It inherently gives you slightly more muzzle velocity and better accuracy.

[wtnhunt]

Good explanation above.

Think Gander Mountain offers lapping as a service with their gunsmiths. Yep, just looked they charge $60 http://www.gandermountain.com/gunsmith/accurizing.shtml . Breaking in procedure is also important, but from what I understand is not as critical with a barrel that has been lapped. I could be wrong on that, I am sure Don or Charlie or someone else will correct me if I am wrong. If I am right though, paying to have the barrel lapped might balance out somewhat with not having to spend too much for ammo for break in. Midway sells lapping kits too if you want to lap it yourself.

Some manufacturers do put out semi customs that the barrels will already be lapped. I know the barrel on my AR-15 came from Rock River with a lapped barrel "ready to shoot", the rifle had a paper in with it in the case that said no break in required. Have read in remington's literature that they have a line of customs with accuracy guarantees, think I also read that those barrels are hand lapped and "ready to shoot" when the customer receives them.