Bedding pillar length

[NorCalRifleman]

I'm going to bed my rifle, once I pick a stock, and was wondering exactly how long the pillars should be in relation to the wood of the stock. It seems like they should be just slightly shorter, but I'm not sure. I'm planning to use fiberglass pillars and Devcon bedding compound.

 

[rcmodel]

The object of most types of pillar bedding is to have the action & guard setting on the pillars, not the stock inletting when the screws are tightened.
They have to be long enough to take all the pressure and prevent compressing the stock when the action screws are tightened.

It follows then that they can't be shorter, or set below the surface of the stock.

As for Fiberglas pillars?
I think metal would be a better choice, as Fiberglas is "plastic" and compressible to some extent over time.

Here is a good read on the process.

http://www.switchbarrel.com/Alum_pil_Bedding.htm
http://www.6mmbr.com/pillarbedding.html

rc

 

[brickeyee]

It seems like they should be just slightly shorter

No, slightly longer.

You are trying to make the action rest only on the pillars and NOT the stock itself.

For round actions the top of the pillars should have at least some V shape to ensure consistent contact (unless you are sure the top matches the curve of the action perfectly).

 

[Clark]

In 1903 Turkish Mausers I make the rear pillar 1.150 to 1.155".
With stock bottom metal.
More like 1.2" with aftermarket bottom metal.
The front pillar is .592~.593" long

In Mosin Nagants I make the rear pillar 1.372".
I make the front pillar .697".

I make the pillars from 3/8" OD 1010 steel tubing with inside diameter .305".

I have given up on stainless and brass pillars.

I am dealing with flat bottomed receivers.
RCmodel's links show pics of round bottomed receivers.