Savage Model 12 Rebuild: Stock Strengthening And Center Pillar Bedding

The Savage Model 12 single-shot, short action rifle is factory pillar-bedded just back of the recoil lug and at the rear, immediately forward of the trigger housing. The rear pillar forms a semi-circle with a portion of it cut away to avoid pillar contact with the trigger housing. This reduced pillar surface tends to weaken the pillar support to some extent in this area. The Savage Model 12 single shot also has a full magazine cutout extending between pillars within its laminated wood stock.

This unused space also tends to weaken the stock in this area. The thrust of this article will cover the procedure in filling the magazine cutout and adding a Score High central bedding pillar as a means of stock strengthening and accuracy improvement. Filling the Magazine Cutout A solid piece of hardwood is used to fi ll the stock void which later serves as a place for the added central pillar. It also adds to the rigidity of the stock.

The block is measured and fitted to the hole with atop radius to fit just beneath the underside of the receiver. A central pillar is later installed midway between the existing stock pillars and Brownells Steel Bed bonds the block in position, providing a solid bed for the new central pillar. A ball end mill or round wood rasp is used here to shape the radius. The part is made undersize to allow for epoxy bonding all around it. Try the piece for fit allowing a minimum of 1/16-inch at all sides for bonding material.

This includes the coved out upper part of the block. When satisfi ed that the fitis good, release agent is applied to the rifle receiver to prevent unwanted bonding material to stick on it. Coat the guard

This is followed by a 1/4-28 tap is used to cut the threads for the central pillar screw. This work adds considerable bedding support to the receiver. Shown here is the extent of the rear pillar and where the cutaway pillar fits up to the trigger. screws, the sides of the magazine cutout, as well as the wood block with bonding material, including the area of the front and rear pillar. Set the action squarely into the stock and use the guard screws to draw the action into the stock and let it dry until hardened.

Brownell’s Steel Bed is an excellent choice for bonding here. When dry, remove the action from the stock and clean things up. Application of the Central Pillar With the action bolted into the stock, again carefully mark where the central pillar will be positioned. This will be midway between the existing guard screws and directly in line with them. With the action still bolted into the stock, tip it over and secure the rifle squarely in a padded drill or milling machine vise.

Be extra careful that everything is positioned perfectly square in the vise. When properly set a hole is drilled down through the stock with a Number 3 drill, right into and through the action. Clean up wood and metal chips frequently while drilling the hole, then enlarge it in the stock only to 1/4-inch to serve as a tapping guide hole. Be sure when drilling the 1/4-inch hole to stop when the drill contacts the receiver.

You can now tap the 1/4-28 screw hole into and through the receiver using the newly drilled hole as a tapping guide. After a few threads are This screw remains in place until the pillar is permanently bonded into the stock. cut remove the action from the stock and finish tapping the hole where it’s easier to see. Take your time tapping the hole, removing chips and applying tapping oil. After completing this the action is again bolted into the stock in preparation for making the pillar hole.

A foolproof method of making this hole is to use a guided through-hole counterbore with a special pilot that fits the newly drilled 1/4-28 threaded hole and the counterbore. Cut the pil-

New Steel Bed covers the front and rear pillars as it permanently bonds the central pillar adding great strength to this action. lar hole at slow speed down to the rifle receiver and remove the stock from the action to clean up the hole. You are now ready to attach a Score High pillar to the action using one of the short pillars in the kit provided for the 700 Remington action. A special 1/4-28 socket head screw with a snap ring holds the pillar perfectly aligned, ready to drop into the stock.

Bedding Action Into The Stock It is pretty difficult to beat Brownell’s Steel Bed for all types of stock bedding, including installation of bedding pillars. Just coat the pillar and inside the stock hole, then carefully lower and secure the action into the stock. The front and rear action screws will assure proper positioning of the central pillar as they are drawn down.

Following several hours of drying time, the action can be removed from the stock, but be sure to remove the 1/4-28 socket head screw as it now secures the stock in place. Installing the Center Escutcheon The central bedding pillar was left short enough to leave space for bonding in an escutcheon Here I made one of brass countersunk for a square shoulder socket head 1/4-28 screw. The escutcheon is measured for length and bonded in place to match the depth of the front.

Blued steel would work for this part but brass turned out to be quite attractive. The new 1/4-28 socket head screw can The brass escutcheon and attaching screw are shown here as are the original front and rear pillar positions. The central stock pillar virtually eliminates any possibility of action-to-stock movement in this vital area. be used to align the escutcheon and regulate its depth. Be sure to apply release agent to the screw.

Conclusions The work put into a properly installed central bedding pillar pays off. This is particularly noticeable in target and varmint rifles where day-to-day bullet point of impact is important and extreme accuracy is demanded. AG