Pillar bedding problem CZ 455 in aftermarket stock.

[Erik E]

I'm attempting to pillar bed a CZ 455. I'm using an aftermarket walnut stock and it turns out that the action holes were not positioned quite right and when I opened the holes up to 1/2" Things ere not lining up correctly. Holes are centered left/right but off front/back.

I see two options other than leaving it alone and not insert pillars. I would love some feedback on there or alternative ideas on how to solve it.

1. Continue to increase the size of the holes to the point that things fit correctly and then fill with epoxy. My question here is if there is a problem with having a lot of space between the wood and the pillar to fill with epoxy and that this would make for a weaker connection compared to a more snug fit?

2. Drill a larger hole, fill it in by gluing in a matching wood dowel and then drill new 1/2" holes in the correct position.

Thanks in advance. Any feedback is greatly appreciated.

 

[LC Tikka]

To ensure an enlarged action screw hole aligns to the action screw, drill accurately or if this not possible for some reason, make a long stud from a plan shank bolt, shorten the thread so the stud shank bottoms on the action, then cut the head off and thread that end to a length for a spacer & nut that will hold the pillar to the action later on. This stud is a guide for the hole cutter, make/buy a cutter similar to a mini holesaw (brass is best as it won't cut into the action) or bush the centre of a small holesaw with clearance on the stud (protect the action with a brass washer) fit the action to the stock and clamp in place, drive the cutter down the stud, the hole is then concentric.
Tape the stud to remove clearance in the pillar hole, slide the pillar onto the stud and hold with a small OD spacer & nut. Glue in the pillar/action into the stock. It's a bit of work to make tools but it sure works well for the non professional.
Pillars made from all-thread are good, on plastic stocks tread tap the stock hole for added glue grip.
LC

 

[Dusty Stevens]

Larger hole and smaller pillar

 

[Twdmar]

Larger hole and smaller pillar

The larger hole and smaller pillar is a fantastic idea, if you can do it but a big hole won't hurt you either. The pillars can be much smaller than a lot of the pre-cut ones. A dowel works too if you can get a good and use the proper glue for the fitment.

 

[Paul Hilgedick]

If you are not far off you might try making new pillar with the hole off center.

 

[LCazador]

Plug and glue a hard wood dowel in the old hole. Then drill new hole with proper orientation for pillar.

 

[Erik E]

I'm leaning toward option 2 because the pillar won't be completely surrounded by wood as it is due to the way the action is laid out. It is open between the back hole and trigger cavity and front hole and the magazine well, and this will only get worse as I open up the holes.

Should I use epoxy or wood glue for the dowel?

 

[Twdmar]

I'm leaning toward option 2 because the pillar won't be completely surrounded by wood as it is due to the way the action is laid out. It is open between the back hole and trigger cavity and front hole and the magazine well, and this will only get worse as I open up the holes.

Should I use epoxy or wood glue for the dowel?

If you get a good tight fit, wood glue works very well. I use titebond 3 for laminating walnut blanks, you get a brown glue line. If your gap is bigger epoxy works but don't use 5 minute crap. It's crap. Gorilla glue is also not a good choice for this job, joint fit is important and it foams up.
With wood glue its tough to starve to the joint of glue and you can get by with very little. Epoxy needs a bit more glue.
If the pillars will be covered by a floor plate and trigger guard, I would probably not bother with the dowels and use a good epoxy to fill the void.

 

[Riesel]

I'm having my doubts that this is a CZ455 after market stock. If you open up the holes 1/2 inch and and
it's not there??? Is this stock new and bought from a reputable stock maker or used?

 

[Erik E]

I'm having my doubts that this is a CZ455 after market stock. If you open up the holes 1/2 inch and and
it's not there??? Is this stock new and bought from a reputable stock maker or used?

It is a stock blank that has the cavity for the action, bottom metal, barrel channel milled out, and a roughed out shape. The picture below is before opening up the holes. As you can see, they are already quite large and the action screws do not have to be centered in the stocks action screw holes for proper fit. I think my mistake was to assume the stocks action screw holes were centered on the action's screw holes when they weren't. I can't 100% verify now when the deed is done, but I used the old holes to align the larger holes and feel confident the new holes were drilled centered on the old holes.

 

[Twdmar]

Put the rear pillar in with epoxy, it looks ok. Remove wood so the pillar when attached to the action doesn't hit the stock before you glue it in.
On the front you can glue a piece of wood and drill it again. It seems like the case must come in different action lengths and the stock is for a longer one.