should i put pillars in my A5?

[bingo1010]

i recently picked up a mcmillan a5 and have been told by some to put pillars in the stock. does anyone here have experience with their stocks before and after installing pillars, in regards to accuracy/consistency? i fully intend to bed the action, but am not sure if the pillar mod is really required. mcmillan does not specifically recommend it, i am just thinking that if it was required would mcmillan not do it when they build the stocks? thanks all

 

[timoram]

In my opinion, If I'm putting an aftermarket stock or building a custom rifle. Pillar bed the rifle. Hell, pillar bed it, epoxy bed it, have an aluminum bedding block put in as well
Having shot many rifles that had bedding problems, you really appreciate it when the rifle is built properly.

Just my .02cents

 

[roberti11]

i recently picked up a mcmillan a5 and have been told by some to put pillars in the stock. does anyone here have experience with their stocks before and after installing pillars, in regards to accuracy/consistency? i fully intend to bed the action, but am not sure if the pillar mod is really required. mcmillan does not specifically recommend it, i am just thinking that if it was required would mcmillan not do it when they build the stocks? thanks all

My A5 simply had holes tapped thru the stock, I am not sure why you would not pillar bed, the pillars are only $30 at brownells, and there is not downside. I would hate to bed a rifle, and then go back an put pillars in later.

My A5 shoots way under subMoa, and this is will pillars embeded in acraglass and devcon bedding.

 

[MagnumPeanut]

Short answer: yes
long answer: yyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeesssssssssssssssss!

 

[BigUglyMan]

Why not?

 

[bingo1010]

alright then i guess that helps, so why does mcmillan not do this right from the start? is someone who is spending $1000 on a stock not going to buy it because they charge an extra 50 for the pillars??

 

[MagnumPeanut]

Its an option because everyone does it different. A lot of people are very pickey if the pillars don't touch the action perfectly its not good enough. And you can't get it that good without the action. Others use thicker/thinner pillars. Everyone wants options. It is an option from McMilley and they will do it if you ask.

 

[guntech]

... so why does mcmillan not do this right from the start?

Because really it is not needed...

Pillar bedding has become legend as a cure all and it isn't a cure all. Often a good glass bedding job will suffice and unless the pillars are done correctly, they won't help accuracy at all. I always bed on top of pillars. Sitting there by themselves doesn't work...

It is done in a lot of cases to eliminate possible future problems and for the owners peace of mind and the gunsmith's benefit.

Pillar bedding may be required in quite light fiberglass stocks so the stock will not deform when the screws are excessively tightened. The heavy McMillan stocks are very sturdy. I often bed them for peace of mind, but they probably don't need it.

Just my thoughts on it...

 

[Boomer]

I think pillar bedding is worth while. My logic has nothing to do with the strength of the stock, but that the screws stop hard at the limit of their travel when pillar bedded. When you feel the screw stop solid, you are less inclined to stretch the screws by over torquing them to 60 inch-pounds or more to get them to the point that they don't move.

As for glass bedding not being required, this would only be true if your particular action had the outside dimensions that the stock was inletted for. From the beginning of a production run to its end, there will be small changes in outside dimensions of the action, as there is from one production run to another, or from an action made back in the '70 compared to the same model made today.

 

[X-fan]

Pillar bedding a McMillan is like repainting a new Ferrari....You could, but why would you.

Considering what it costs to properly pillar bed a stock I think you are better off spending the money on quality bottom metal, Jewel triggers, or whatever turns your crank.

FWIW all of my McMillan stocks are bedded and all of them lock up rock solid as the screws come up tight. Lessor stocks probably should be pillar bedded.....The non V block Bell and Carlsons for instance...