What process involves using epoxy to surround the action and barrel in a firearm?

The process of using epoxy to surround the action and barrel in a firearm is known as bedding and stabilizing. This technique is vital for enhancing the accuracy and consistency of a firearm. When a firearm is bedded, the epoxy creates a solid, stable connection between the barrel and action, ensuring that there is minimal movement during firing. This stability helps maintain the alignment of the barrel and the action, which is crucial for achieving consistent shot placement.

By firmly anchoring the components, bedding can also mitigate the effects of wood warping (in wooden stocks), environmental influences, and vibrations that occur upon firing. This is especially important for precision shooting, where even minor misalignments can lead to significant deviations in accuracy.

In contrast, blueprinting involves a more comprehensive process of machining the components of the firearm to ensure that all parts are perfectly aligned and fitted, but it does not specifically involve the use of epoxy like bedding does. Trigger adjustment focuses on modifying the trigger's pull weight and feel rather than involving the barrel or action directly. Finally, barrel harmonics refer to the vibrations and oscillations that occur in a barrel during firing, which can affect accuracy but are separate from the bedding process.