Pillar bedding your rifle is a significant upgrade for any serious shooter aiming to enhance accuracy and consistency. This process involves supporting the rifle's action with pillars instead of bedding the entire action, offering several key advantages over traditional bedding methods. This comprehensive guide will walk you through the process, exploring its benefits, necessary tools, and step-by-step instructions.
Why Choose Pillar Bedding?
Traditional bedding methods often lead to uneven pressure points on the rifle action, causing stress and impacting accuracy. Pillar bedding, however, offers a superior solution by strategically supporting the action at specific points. This method minimizes stress on the action, allowing for consistent and repeatable performance.
Here's a breakdown of the key benefits:
- Improved Accuracy: By eliminating uneven pressure, pillar bedding allows for better alignment and consistent shot placement. This is crucial for both target shooting and hunting.
- Reduced Stress on the Action: The localized support prevents warping or distortion of the action, extending its lifespan.
- Easier Re-bedding: Should you ever need to re-bed your rifle, the pillar system simplifies the process significantly. You only need to remove and replace the pillars.
- Enhanced Stability: The pillars provide a more stable platform for the action, reducing the effects of recoil and environmental factors.
Tools and Materials Required
Before embarking on pillar bedding your rifle, gather the necessary tools and materials. This will streamline the process and ensure a successful outcome. You'll need:
- Pillar Bedding Kit: This kit typically includes pillars (pre-made to fit your specific rifle action), bedding compound (typically epoxy), release agent (like silicone spray), and potentially a jig for precise pillar placement.
- Inletting Tools: Depending on the degree of stock modification needed, you might need files, rasps, and sandpaper.
- Measuring Tools: Calipers, rulers, and a level are essential for accurate measurements and alignment.
- Mixing Cups and Sticks: For properly mixing the epoxy bedding compound.
- Safety Glasses and Gloves: Always prioritize safety when working with epoxy and other tools.
- Clean Rags: For cleanup.
- Drill and Drill Bits: To create pilot holes for the pillars if needed.
Step-by-Step Pillar Bedding Process
The process of pillar bedding can be broken down into several key steps:
1. Preparation and Stock Modification
- Thoroughly Clean the Stock and Action: Remove any existing bedding material and clean all surfaces with a suitable solvent.
- Check Existing Inletting: Assess the stock’s existing inletting to ensure it's properly sized for the pillars. You may need to adjust this using inletting tools. Precise measurements are critical here.
- Apply Release Agent: Liberally apply a release agent (silicone spray) to the action and any areas where the epoxy will come into contact with the stock. This prevents the epoxy from bonding to unwanted surfaces.
2. Installing the Pillars
- Prepare the Pillars: Ensure the pillars are properly sized and cleaned.
- Accurate Pillar Placement: Using a jig (if provided) or careful measurements, precisely locate and install the pillars into their respective holes in the stock. Take your time and ensure perfect alignment.
3. Bedding Compound Application
- Mix the Epoxy: Follow the manufacturer's instructions for mixing the epoxy bedding compound.
- Apply the Bedding Compound: Carefully fill the space around the pillars with the epoxy. Ensure complete coverage and avoid any air pockets.
- Insert the Action: Gently insert the rifle action into the stock, making sure it's correctly aligned.
4. Curing and Finishing
- Curing Time: Allow the epoxy to cure completely according to the manufacturer's instructions. This typically takes several hours, or even overnight.
- Removal of Excess Epoxy: Once cured, carefully remove any excess epoxy using a sharp knife or scraper.
- Final Stock Refinishing: Sand and refinish the stock as needed to restore its original appearance.
Conclusion
Pillar bedding your rifle is a rewarding undertaking that significantly enhances accuracy and longevity. While it requires precision and patience, the resulting improvement in your rifle's performance makes it a worthwhile investment for any serious shooter. Remember to always follow safety precautions and refer to the specific instructions provided with your chosen bedding kit. With careful attention to detail, you'll enjoy the benefits of a more accurate and reliable firearm.
