Pillars then bedding, methods?

[AlNyhus]

Id like to pose a question about stress in bedding. Lets say the stock moved or the bedding was not done right and there was some stress in the bedding. Say you crack a screw and it moves more than you want to see. What exactly is that doing that has an effect on raw accuracy? Im far more interested in the why of things than the how. Id like to hear thoughts on what that "stress" s doing that has an effect on how the rifle shoots. I have bedded 100s maybe 1000s I dont know. It took a lot of attempts to get the process down to where I was happy. So I have my opinions, but Id like to hear others.

Alex, I'm a firm believer in as little movement as possible when the action screws are cracked loose. But there are some things that can contribute to bigger numbers on the indicator as well as false 'no movement' numbers...when there is still significant 'stress' in place. How we define the term 'stress' is where things get a little murky.

 

[Alex Wheeler]

Agreed. In no way am I arguing for stress. But I am trying to get guys to think about whats happening. Exactly what you said is true. Crack a screw and you get .003. That could be as simple as chamfering the screw hole. But would that show on target? Nope. Now if a screw was bearing inside a pillar and unseating the lug it might not even show as stress. I get a lot of rifles through here with bedding issues. Stress is probably the least of it.