Why to bed over the tops of the pillars

[AlNyhus]

Next order of business is to address this. Hunter rules specify a max fore end width of 2.250". This one tapers from 2.240"to 2.200" at the front.

Nothing bad could possibly happen with a 10 lb., 6 power, loaded-up 30BR getting loose in the front bag as it comes back in recoil...........

Following this, the back end will get lengthened a smidgen to get the LOP I want. It originally had a Decellerator pad. Now, everyone knows that real men don't use 'training wheels' (recoil pad) on a Benchrest gun. An aluminum butt plate will get fitted.

Good shootin' -Al

 

[46and2]

So I'm about to pillar bed and MarineTex bed a walnut hunting stock, and suggestions or advice for me on this one?
Like how much space between the top of the pillar and bottom of the action?

 

[Edd]

So I'm about to pillar bed and MarineTex bed a walnut hunting stock, and suggestions or advice for me on this one?
Like how much space between the top of the pillar and bottom of the action?

.05"-.06".

 

[tonyben]

I bed M14's and I put a layer of tape over the pillar during bedding to keep a gap. If the bedding shrinks, you can still tighten the action screw(s) a little more (There's only one screw on rear-lugged M14's but two on double-lugged).

M14's are a bit more labor intensive than bolt guns.

Here's my double-lugger...

Tony.

 

[AlNyhus]

First step after removing the 'training wheels' (recoil pad):

 

[Alex Wheeler]

So I'm about to pillar bed and MarineTex bed a walnut hunting stock, and suggestions or advice for me on this one?
Like how much space between the top of the pillar and bottom of the action?

I set the top of the pillar flush with the inlet so the epoxy thickness is consistent.

 

[AlNyhus]

Back end and fore end are done. I hate body work stuff but it turned out ok. I need to put in some mill time next week for the other project on the bench....should get the 3/16" aluminum butt plate done too.

Good shootin' -Al

 

[linekin]

I was having some issues with a rimfire br gun that the pillars were touching the action. Having had other stocks bedded by a highly regarded bedder/stock guy that do not touch I decided to relieve the pillars. Problem solved. Yet I know others with this gentlemans stocks that do touch shoot fine. Anyone have any thoughts on rimfires in this regard?
Thanks for sharing Al & others.
Keith

 

[Infrequent Shooter]

This is on the work bench right now for a rehab. It's an example of why bedding over the tops of the pillars is a good way to go. The bedding was done by a good BR 'smith. The stock is a high quality BR stock from a well known mfg.

Over the seasons, the bedding compound shrunk. You can see that the bedding has moved away from the front pillar. The rear pillar shows even more bedding shrinkage around the pillar. With a coat of Dykem on the bottom of the receiver, the only contact points are the witness marks left on the receiver by the tops of the pillars. The depth mic. shows the bedding to be .005-.006 below the tops of the pillars.

Good shootin' -Al

Reading this thread is like four weeks of 700 level M.E. class.

 

[46and2]

This is on the work bench right now for a rehab. It's an example of why bedding over the tops of the pillars is a good way to go. The bedding was done by a good BR 'smith. The stock is a high quality BR stock from a well known mfg.

Over the seasons, the bedding compound shrunk. You can see that the bedding has moved away from the front pillar. The rear pillar shows even more bedding shrinkage around the pillar. With a coat of Dykem on the bottom of the receiver, the only contact points are the witness marks left on the receiver by the tops of the pillars. The depth mic. shows the bedding to be .005-.006 below the tops of the pillars.

Good shootin' -Al

Is there any possibility that the pillar was impact ( vibration) moved from hundreds of shots? Maybe the bottom metal wasn't perfectly square with the pillar?
The reason I am asking is because the gap around the pillar isn't even all the way around the pillar. And the impression on the action isn't even all the way around either.

Still another reason to bed over the pillar but maybe not because of shrinkage only. If that gap is 1 to 2 thousandths from shrinkage wouldn't it have pulled away from the perimeter all around the stock also??