The rear of the SKS barrel/action assembly is held into its stock via a vertical spring clamp at the extreme rear of the action. The top rear of the action extends rearward over the top of the stock for around 1/2". The vertical clamp pulls up on the rear of the trigger guard, thereby securing the action in the stock by pulling this action extension strongly down against the top of the stock. The large flat vertical surface at the rear of the action acts as the recoil lug, in that this is the location where the action transmits recoil to the stock.

The goal in bedding the action is to provide an excellent, confining fit between the stock and the action at the vertical rear face of the action, under the rearward extension of the action, under the trigger guard, and all along the flat bottom of the action for its entire length. In addition, we will bed the stock into the barrel escutcheon so that these two parts enjoy a uniform, firm contact. The rest of the barrel is left free-floating.

Remove the action from the stock. Use a Dremel Mototool (or chisel) to remove most of the wood to a depth of 1/8" in the following locations only:

(1) under the rear extension of the action (where the action overhangs the stock);

(2) on the vertical rear face of the action cutout (where the rear of the action exerts recoil);

(3) under the rear third of the trigger guard; and

(4) all around the interior of the action cutout at the elevation where the base of the action sits (the finished bedding here will provide a ledge for the base of the action to sit on and will confine lateral movement).

Remove most of the wood in these areas, leaving a few "pillars" of undisturbed wood to help hold the action in its proper place while the bedding material is setting. Cut away most of the thickness of the "lips" on the stock's forward end (these lips fit into the flanged barrel escutcheon), leaving 2-3 small parts unshaved to maintain the stock's position until the bedding material sets up.

Remove all cosmoline from the stock in the areas you will be bedding, so that the bedding material will be able to bond to the stock (try turpentine). Give the entire barreled action, trigger guard, and magazine two careful coatings of paste floor wax, being especially careful to cover both interior and exterior surfaces. This wax acts as the "resist" which precludes the action from being glued into the stock. Protect the stock exterior by covering it with masking tape. Mix up some thick bedding compound -- Brownell's Accu-Gel works well -- being sure to mix it for the full time specified.

Use a small spatula (e.g., Popsicle stick) to spread just a little more goo than absolutely necessary over the stock areas to be bedded. Reassemble the rifle and let it alone for one day in a warm place. When the compound is fully set, disassemble the rifle carefully (hint: tap stubborn metal parts with a "soft"-faced hammer/mallet to start separation) and cut off the excess bedding compound with a sharp knife.

A properly-bedded SKS will have a solid lock-up when assembled, requiring some force to get the action fully into place. There should be no play between the action and the stock or between the barrel's escutcheon and the forward end of the stock. The flat bottom of the action should sit atop a ledge of bedding compound and its rear should abut the bedded vertical rear face of the stock solidly.