Varmint Barrel Lug ?

[keppler]

I recently purchased a new varmint model and when I removed the stock for cleaning before going shooting, the barrel lug fell off the barrel. Is this normal? sure don't seem normal to me but thought I would ask before doing anything with it. It acts like the dove tail is cut too big or the lug is a bit small. Not much, but enough for it to be loose enough to fall off if you turn the rifle on its side with the stock removed. Any ideas?

[Mad5757]

That's normal, they are all like that. The American model has the same lug on the rear tang of the action and it too will fall off if turned sideways. I JB welded mine in place with the rifle bedded, pillared, and torqued in place.
Mad`

[keppler]

Thanks Mad, I was thinking about doing the same thing but wanted to hear some other ideas before I did.

[BobD50]

I lost my Varmint barrel lug, pillared the single action screw, bedded the action and 1" of barrel, free-floated the rest of the barrel, and it shoots better than ever.