What does the process of bedding improve in a firearm?

Bedding a firearm refers to the process of ensuring that the action of the rifle is properly seated within the stock, providing a stable platform for the barrel and action. This improves accuracy and stability because it minimizes movement between the stock and the action when the firearm is fired. A better bedding job ensures consistent contact, which helps maintain the alignment of the rifle’s components during shooting, thereby allowing for improved precision in shot placement.

When the action is securely and uniformly supported, the vibrations from firing are more consistent, and the impact point of the bullet is less likely to vary from shot to shot. This consistency is crucial for achieving tighter groups on the target.

Other options do not pertain directly to what bedding specifically improves. For example, trigger pull weight is determined by the trigger mechanism itself, and while barrel length is fixed and cannot be affected by bedding, scope alignment is related to how the scope is mounted rather than how the action interfaces with the stock.