Re: need a smith to install pillars
Here's what I'd do: (what I do)
Say your pillar is .500" OD. I use a reamer that measures .5156" reamer (33/64)
The reamer will want to follow the existing hole and it won't grab and take off on you the way a drill will. Chucking reamers are cheap. less than $20 each if you buy the import brands. Its not worth buying high dollar carbide for a silly rifle stock.
Mount your pillars onto your receiver as you bed the thing. Bores in pillars should be oversize. I punch them out to .3125" (5/16) ID. Use a few winds of masking tape wrapped around your actions screws and coat with wax/shoe polish/whatever.
Put a coat of resin on your receiver and goop it around your holes a bit. Goop the stuff on the pillar than contacts the action. Assemble and snug it up a bit. Don't bother torquing it like it was assembled. Waste of time.
Now drop the thing in your stock (also coated in a layer of resin and go watch TV. If you wrapped your barrel in two places with tape to set the show line height and center in the barrel channel you'll be in good shape once it comes time to pop it out.
Easy stuff.
For me I intentionally leave the pillars too long as its a good way to center the stock when working on the bottom. If you need to trim before hand its no biggy either.
Just be sure to swab the bottom really well while the stuff is wet so you can clean it up nice.
You want the bores oversize so the pillars can "wiggle and get happy" when going into the stock. I intentionally leave mine a touch loose till after the gun is sitting the way I want it. The extra clearance also ensures a layer of resin exists between the stock and pillar. You don't want it getting driven out of the hole during assembly.
Easy stuff.
PS. Pack your guard screw heads with clay and you won't have to cuss a storm when cleaning them out.
Good luck.
C.
