Gunsmithing Pillar bedding issues

[mlsheffield]

I was bored today and figured I might as well pillar bed my XR100 Rangemaster. I plan to use the factory stock. Obviously I will need to drill the stock so the pillars can fit. This will cause the rear hole (closest to the tang of the action) to be opened up inside the trigger slot. I am fairly confident that the pillar will not interfere with the trigger working.

So my question is instead of risking installing both pillars and attempting to be creative to make it work can I only install the front pillar? Or should I keep the pillars for another day and only bed the action with devcon?

Thanks for any help/advice.

 

[Dennis_in_VA]

Re: Pillar bedding issues

Make / use a smaller diameter pillar.

 

[nashlaw]

Re: Pillar bedding issues

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Dennis_in_VA</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Make / use a smaller diameter pillar. </div></div>

That is what I do. I do not have a drill press/mill that allows me to set up for accurately drilling the holes for larger pillars. If you want, you can go to Lowe's and look around the hardware and lamp repair sections and find some tubing that will work. I know this is not the professional model of pillar bedding, but I am not a professional. Overall, I have been happy with the results.

 

[former naval person]

Re: Pillar bedding issues

As Dennis says. I use the 3/8 inch threaded pipe that is sold for lamps in Lowe's and other hardware stores. Steel, enough vertical regidity, cheap, and works. The outside diameter will not get into your trigger well cut out. Get a sloppy fit to the outside, fit to the action, lube all you should and coat the pillar and action with epoxy and slide it into the stock. Read the bedding sticky before you do any of this. JMHO

 

[mlsheffield]

Re: Pillar bedding issues

Thanks for the help! I'll make a run to Lowe's or Home Depot and take a look around.

Former Naval Person, I have been over the bedding sticky and multiple others. I don't feel like messing this up and trying over haha.

Now if I may ask a much stupider question based off what I see in the sticky. The action and pillars in the sticky are set into the stock with the pillars screwed into the action. Am I correct to assume they are screwed in to keep them in place and it is intended that after the epoxy/devcon/whatever drys the action screws are removed and the action is popped out with the pillars "glued" to the stock?

 

[turbo54]

Re: Pillar bedding issues

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Daddypop</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Thanks for the help! I'll make a run to Lowe's or Home Depot and take a look around.

Former Naval Person, I have been over the bedding sticky and multiple others. I don't feel like messing this up and trying over haha.

Now if I may ask a much stupider question based off what I see in the sticky. The action and pillars in the sticky are set into the stock with the pillars screwed into the action. Am I correct to assume they are screwed in to keep them in place and it is intended that after the epoxy/devcon/whatever drys the action screws are removed and the action is popped out with the pillars "glued" to the stock? </div></div>

You've got the idea. I prefer to use some "all-thread" instead of bolts (I actually buy extra long bolts and cut the heads off).

Also, I know "professionals" make pillars on a lathe and cut some grooves in them. I like buying threaded tubing, or in some cases drilling the center out of a coarsely threaded bold. The threads provides lots of bite for the epoxy.

 

[rszkutak]

Re: Pillar bedding issues

I'd add more here, but honestly you guy's covered all the bases.

If you do the pillar's, you might as well go for bedding the rifle when the pillar's are completed that will give your rifle an improved accuracy over pillars alone.

I personally secure my pillar bedding jobs in with a little marinetex, when they are setup and dried i use an endmill to trim them up, and finish them off with a dremel.