What a difference some pillars can make....

[tddeangelo]

I have a Winchester Model 70 DBM-S in 30-06. For those unfamiliar, this is a M70 Classic with a detachable box mag and an injection-molded plastic stock. For several years, it shot great. Then it started to get wonky on me.

This past winter, I pulled it apart and found the dreaded New Haven "hot glue" bedding compound. F

Cleared that out, rebedded the lug and chamber with acra-glass gel. Not much help. Did the tang, too. still not much response from the rifle.

I also floated the barrel during this work, too. That didn't help much, either.

I finally got around to finishing the installation of pillars in the stock, and tonight I shot it again for the first time.

Before:

After:

Used the EXACT same load to verify results (before and after). Those "before" groups are as good as it ever was. I shot a 4-shot group after this 3-shot group. The 4-shot group went 0.980" (and the barrel was H-O-T).

I have some hope for this rifle! Scotty, you may not get me to change it to a Whelen after all!!!

 

[SJB358]

Dang it Tom. I knew that would happen if you did the pillars! Either way, nothing wrong with having an excellent shooting 30-06 either, but it would be much cooler as a Whelen. Great shooting Tom. Way to bring that rifle back! You did really good buddy. I have enjoyed reading about your work on the rifle. Scotty

 

[Elkman]

tom

I did my 50 old 721 Remington (300) bee and haved the group size with the first group. 8 inches to 4 inches. That was 5 weeks ago and I havent been back to it yet. Great results, nice going.

 

[DrMike]

The pillars do make a difference. Good show, Tom.

 

[JD338]

Tom,

Nicely done!

JD338

 

[wildgene]

...looks like the pillars were a pretty good investment...

 

[FOTIS]

I am glad it worked out for you Tom. I also hate that wanna be bedding that Win uses.

 

[Oldtrader3]

I am pleased that the pillars worked well for you. I had my doubts that they would add that much but apparently they added that extra little bit that you needed to get your groups where they needed to be. Good job and I am glad that it worked out.

 

[ScreaminEagle]

Nothing beats a solid bedding job with pillars! I'd tell anyone looking to get some more accuracy from their rifle to pillar bed it first. I had awesome results when I did my 280 so I went ahead and did the 257 rob, 22-250, 30-06, 7mm-08, and 243. I'm here to tell you that accuracy went way up in all those rifles! Not surprised that it worked for you too.

 

[Elkman]

Tom

Thats great I did that on an older 721 this spring and havent shot it yet but am hoping for similar results. Nice work! :grin: :grin:

 

[tddeangelo]

Thank you!

I'm contemplating doing the same treatment to my 257 Robts FWT, although with the '06 I planned to scrap the stock if needed. I don't want to do that on the Bob, so that up's the stakes a bit. :shock:

Thinking hard about putting in pillars and bedding the chamber. The lug is bedded well, and not with "hot glue". It' an XTR from the 80's......seems they bedded the lug decently.

 

[SJB358]

I would. There is no really good reason to not bed and pillar it. It is only going to make it more consistent for you Tom. Scotty

 

[DrMike]

I tell you what, Tom. Send the 257 Bob FWT to me, and I'll send you my 257 Bob CDL. You'll have something that really needs work, and I'll take care of the Winchester. Dead? :wink:

 

[tddeangelo]

I tell you what, Tom. Send the 257 Bob FWT to me, and I'll send you my 257 Bob CDL. You'll have something that really needs work, and I'll take care of the Winchester. Dead? :wink:

Dead?

Yeah, sounds like a "dead" deal to me, Mike.

Scotty, you're absolutely correct.....doing pillars on a stock I planned to throw away was one thing. Doing them on a stock I want to keep looking nice, well, that's another! But I guess I gotta take the plunge eventually...

 

[SJB358]

Don't worry too much. Tape the heck out of the stock and I wouldn't think you would have any issues at all. Again, tape EVERYTHING. I really learned my lesson after the 264. I still have some extra bedding reminding me of my brainfart... Scotty