Question on bedding aluminum pillars

[foxC]

I have Remington 700 AAC-SD and ordered a Manners T1 that was just delivered inletted for a Surgeon DBM . I did not get the pillars installed by manners as I plan on using the pillars that came with the new DBM. Considering glass bedding this stock myself.
Two questions ...

I am not sure what size to open up the pillar holes to. The pillars that manners supplied are a tight fit to the holes milled in the stock, should I repeat this fit with the surgeon pillars or allow a thou or three for clearance?

Do I install the pillars first then bed the stock after they are set or install them at the same time I bed the stock? I ask this since I think if I do this all at once the bottom metal will need to be in place on the stock to set the height of the pillars as they are sized to fit from surgeon.

Been doing a lot of research here and on the net but still a bit apprehensive. Hope to have all the supplies for next weekend.

 

[Scimitar]

I attach pillars to action and bed them at same time. A little clearance is needed so all the epoxy is not scraped off.

Used to do it by taping "cones on bedding screws"


Now I use the 1/4 bolts and brass pipe ferrules for centering pillar on action screw.

 

[kengel2]

Where did you get those brass pieces?

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 4

 

[2Shots]

That's a compression ring for a plumbing fitting, good idea, go to lowes or home depot.

 

[foxC]

Thanx for your reply. I have brass ferrules that I can use.

Now that brings up another question. The pillars are precut for surgeons DBM to mate with the action. How do I channel out the stock for the glass bedding and set the action to the right height for the DBM to be flush with the stock with the pre cut pillars fastened to the action without the DBM installed when I bed the stock? I'm probably making this more difficult than it really is.

Should I dry fit leaving a little of the stock remaining by the rear tang and build up tape on the barrel until the pillars are flush with the milling for the DBM?

 

[xs hedspace]

A little tip---I use teflon plumbers tape, like 3 layers around the bedding screws, to ensure clearance around the screws, and to keep epoxy from getting into the pillars when bedding. I also put the pillars on a phillips screwdriver, and run them against a coarse grinding wheel for a few seconds, to get a rough bondable surface, for the epoxy.

 

[Scimitar]

I hog out the stock where the bedding is going and use tape doughnuts on the barrel at rear of barrel and front of stock to help keep action at correct height. I have had several stocks that were not perfectly flush when installing surgeon or other types of bottom metal. Some were too thick/tall and when action was bedded and the bottom metal was set at the correct spacing, the bottom metal was sunk into the stock a bit. I sanded the stock and painted it.
Either that or make a longer or shorter magazine release lever.

 

[biner626]

I just went through this with my DBM setup. Wait until you have the DBM. It will come with pillars set to the correct height for proper function. Get a couple of old action screws and tape for a tight fit inside the pillar to keep epoxy out and center the screw. Now I install your pillars on the action hand tight with the screws. Set your height by tape wrapping the barrel just in front of the recoil lug and at the front of the barrel channel. Place some tape in the barrel channel in front of the recoil lug if you don't want bedding in there. Check your gaps around the action. Mine only required a bit of sanding on the left side for a good even gap. I used a 2 part rubber mold making product to keep bedding out of my magazine and trigger inlet. I was concerned about residue from the clay getting on the surface of the stock and causing issues with bonding.
This is the product. Sorry I can't remember the name. Came from Michaels.

I had to trim it once it hardened. It also helped to hold the action at my desired height.

 

[Captain Kirk]

I would take biner626's advice ^^. You want to ensure the rifle functions and feeds properly before bedding the pillars. This is best done with the action, pillars, and bottom metal tested out of the stock, any tweaking that needs to be done, this is the time.

 

[foxC]

I want to thank all who responded to my questions. I took the advice given and am very pleased with the results. I bedded the action and pillars in one step then the next day bedded the bottom metal. No bubbles or wrinkles, I used devcon and kiwi as the release agent. The tips you guys offered made all the difference.

Was a bit concerned when at first the action did not release. Turned out the recoil lug was very snug and had to be massaged out with a mallet to the guide bolts. But again thanks for all the help.

 

[biner626]

Hey Fox, post pics!

 

[foxC]

Ok I took some pics with the phone cam. For my first attempt at bedding I can live with the results. I put some niks and scratches cleaning up with the rasp and dremel. Does not compare with what I have seen posted here but I think it was worth all the effort put in. Will get it to the range soon and test the results. Thanx again for the help!

 

[Rob.308]

I have Remington 700 AAC-SD and ordered a Manners T1 that was just delivered inletted for a Surgeon DBM . I did not get the pillars installed by manners as I plan on using the pillars that came with the new DBM. Considering glass bedding this stock myself.
Two questions ...

I am not sure what size to open up the pillar holes to. The pillars that manners supplied are a tight fit to the holes milled in the stock, should I repeat this fit with the surgeon pillars or allow a thou or three for clearance?

Do I install the pillars first then bed the stock after they are set or install them at the same time I bed the stock? I ask this since I think if I do this all at once the bottom metal will need to be in place on the stock to set the height of the pillars as they are sized to fit from surgeon.

Been doing a lot of research here and on the net but still a bit apprehensive. Hope to have all the supplies for next weekend.

This should help a lot. IMHO, The person in the vid is one of the best gunsmiths in America.

Rifle bedding 1 - YouTube

 

[Hammertime]

May be doing this myself soon, tag for later. Good info.

 

[JMGlasgow]

Tag for later

 

[Bubb]

tag

 

[Rezarf]

This should help a lot. IMHO, The person in the vid is one of the best gunsmiths in America.

Rifle bedding 1 - YouTube

That's a great series of videos, thanks for sharing.