Can anybody tell me if it necessary to pillar bed these stocks? They have a solid epoxy construction through the action area.

Not absolutely necessary, no.

That said, I would for anything bigger than a .300 mag, and I would add a hidden cross bolt as well behind the front lug. It is easy to do, and is good insurance for the future.

Jeremy

I would be disinclined to pillar. I would also refrain from installing a crossbolt since doing so only compromises the strength of the shell. Regards, Bill.

G'Day Fella's,

Kiwiwildcat, I have built up many rifles using the High Tech-Specialties stocks. Your correct in saying the action area of these stocks is a solid mass of (Marine-Tex) epoxy. I have pillar bedded one of these stocks but don't bother these days!
FYI, on that nzshootingandhunting forum run by some "Tool", I did a pictorial "How To bed a rifle stock" post, and I also verbally explained what you need to do, to perform this task correctly . This used a HT-S stock on a Win M-70 barreled action, and was done by me as Homer.

Hope that helps

Doh!
Homer

These don't have a shell in the action area. They are solid. Under heavy recoil they can compress behind the recoil lug and/or crack. One of mine did on a .338 Ultra. I have also seen two McMillan stocks do the same thing on big bores. The McMillan's seem to be similarly constructed to these, but I didn't cut one apart to find out.

To keep that from happening again, I reinforce the recoil lug area with a hidden cross bolt and sometimes pillars (depends on the action). I will say that I stole this idea from D'arcy Echols.

This is just what I do and why.

Jeremy

Every Bansner stock I've used (quite a few) does have a shell in the action area. That is, the lay-up completely encloses the solid filler. This is different than the McMillan stocks in which the action mortise is milled out of the solid filler and is more like the Brown Precision/ Lee Six type of construction.
On some of the very light stocks (like the "pounder" from B/P) the filler is not all that stout so pillars can be beneficial.
I have always liked the Bansner stocks, though the styles are limited, and consider them to be a good value. Regards, Bill.

I didn't realize that about the Bansner stock. Thanks for the information. That makes more sense.

Jeremy

Thanks guys for the feedback. Stock being used for a lightweight mountain rifle build in 7mm SAUM.

I have used many Hi Tech stocks through the years, and have done it without on most and with when requested by the customer. Can't say there has ever been any difference- none of my personal ones have pillars.