Another bedding question

[mousegunner]

I installed pillars yesterday on a Rem 700 and used the action screws to hold everything together.
I planned to remove some of the bedding around the pillars prior to bedding the whole action but some of the Devcon lapped over the pillars but not completely. Should I remove what's on top of the pillars or just go ahead and put some bedding over the pillars and let the pressure of the action screws squeeze and even out the bedding compound?

FYI-This is the first time I've used pillars and wondering if I should have tightened the screws more although instructions I've read say not to really tighten the screws. I used Brownells pillars and they seemed to fit the contour of the receiver but I'm also wondering if the bedding over the pillars will make them fit better. Thanks for looking.

 

[LHSmith]

You are not supposed to tighten the screws, only use them as locators. Surgical tubing is all that is to be used to apply pressure.

 

[Preacher]

Surgical tubing on the barrel only once you have it all lined up and taped to hold it in place, let the receiver float or you'll be creating stress.
I find it best to do the complete bedding job in just one pass, pillars or not....
If the pillars are fit right, they will fit as tight as needed.....

 

[Kings X]

If you have a 80% fill on the rest of the bedding - go shoot it. Voids are not problem causing.
It is almost impossible to just fill in the voids and still have good bedding mating. The new material just forms a cap about the base layer - not good. About only thing to do is to grind most of the new bedding out and apply a thin coat to action and stock for a second layer. BUT you will wind up with bedding material on top of the pillars. Not a big deal.
Instead of using the guard screws to align the action and the bottom metal - you can buy headless guide screws from Brownells. Or get some real long (4" are easy to get hold of to loosen) 1/4-28 socket head cap screws and cut the heads off. Tubing or a 4" C-Clamp works.
Good luck.
Oh - heating the metal will aid in getting loose from glass. A $10 heat gun from Harbor Fright works great on heating the screws and warming the action. Just too hot to touch is about right. Don't get near stock!!!!