Re Bedding a Previously Pillar Bedded Rifle

[centershot]

I had my bench rest rifle re barreled. Wood stock. At first I was just going to redo the recoil lug area. The person that put the new barrel on suggested that I should re do the entire action. If I go that route, do I remove the old compound around the pillars or try to remove the pillars and start over. The pillars are aluminum. This is not for competition. Just a hobby/fun gun. I do not have a milling machine. Dremel Tool.

 

[olddav]

I would grind out the only bedding while leaving the pillars in place. Test fit the action for clearance where desired, then bed the action.
Also I would wait to others offer advice just to be sure.

 

[std7mag]

^^^
What they said.

 

[LC Tikka]

Same action, with barrel clearance do nothing.
LC

 

[AlNyhus]

Leave the pillars, unless you suspect they're loose. I've fixed two stocks where the molded in pillars had loosened up.

Make sure and remove plenty of material behind the recoil lug as rebedded actions want to shift forward if you don't. Do whatever it takes to insure the action screws are centered in the pillar holes and use your Dremel to scuff up the old bedding that doesn't get removed. Wipe the old bedding down with acetone and proceed as normal.

Good shootin'. -Al

 

[centershot]

The pillars are solid. I have enlarged the recoil lug area.

 

[tobnpr]

Same action, with barrel clearance do nothing.
LC

My thougnts.
If it ain't broke, don't "fix" it.

 

[centershot]

A few photos:

Not my best effort. Was in the "learning" stage.

 

[tobnpr]

Why didn't you bed the recoil lug?
That's the most critical part...

 

[centershot]

I plan to bed it. My question is, should I remove the other bedding or not? Then bed the entire job.

 

[wildcat3d]

I plan to bed it. My question is, should I remove the other bedding or not? Then bed the entire job.

. Do whatever it takes to insure the action screws are centered in the pillar holes and use your Dremel to scuff up the old bedding that doesn't get removed. Wipe the old bedding down with acetone and proceed as normal... Copied from above...;-)

 

[AlNyhus]

Original 40X stock? -Al

 

[tobnpr]

Then what olddav said in #2...
Sure couldn't hurt to re-do it. I use a carbide round-nose burr to remove some of the existing bedding.
You don't want to just scuff it up- you need to make room for the new epoxy or you'll just squeeze it all out. You need more than a skim coat with a wood stock.

 

[centershot]

Original 40X stock? -Al

Yes. Original stock that someone glued "ears" on the forend. Bought it at a gun show many years ago.

 

[AlNyhus]

Original 40x stock. Someone glued "ears" on it.


Yes. Original stock that someone glued "ears" on the forend.

I saw that.

Also, I should clarify that my "scuff up the previous bedding" is more along the lines that tobnpr referenced...get in there and work it over pretty good.

Good shootin. -Al

 

[centershot]

I have carbide bits coming from Amazon. Will remove the old bedding.

 

[centershot]

Removed the old bedding today. The pillars are the expandable type. Not sure of I want to keep them. I have some G-30 I could use. The question with that is would the piloted Forsner carbide bit drill out the old pillars? Or would I ruin it. That is what I used to drill the holes for the pillars.