McMillan Stocks, a trusted name in precision rifle components, is making one thing crystal clear: if you're using a Drop-In Ready McMillan stock, you probably don’t need to bed it.

For decades, rifle bedding was a standard practice for gunsmiths chasing tight groups and peak performance. But with McMillan’s precision inletting process, those extra steps are no longer necessary for most shooters.

“A Drop-In Ready stock means exactly that—you drop in your action and barrel and get to work,” said Varian Zingaro, General Manager. “We cut every stock to match your exact action, barrel contour, and bottom metal. We also include machined-in pillars to provide a metallic base of support for ultra-precise positioning. Much like what some are trying to do with a mini chassis. The difference is that our pillars are molded into the stock while it is made and machined to match the inlet perfectly, rather than glued in as a separate block after the stock is made. It’s clean, precise, and performance-ready out of the box.”

Originally, bedding was needed to compensate for rough inletting and inconsistent receiver dimensions. But those days are gone. Today’s actions are built to tighter specs, and McMillan’s inletting process ensures every stock is tailored to the exact setup.

Still, there’s a time and place for bedding.

“If you’re chasing the elusive sub-¼ MOA groups, bedding can help squeeze out every fraction of performance,” Zingaro added. “In working to eliminate variables, bedding is a variable to consider—especially if you take your barreled action in and out of your stock. Bedding gives you a tailored connection between your action and stock.”

For the majority of hunters, recreational marksmen, and even competitive shooters, McMillan’s Drop-In Ready stocks deliver consistent accuracy without the need for additional modification.

McMillan offers two different versions of Drop-In Ready stocks: custom and universal.

• Custom stocks have a tight, clean, 1-to-1 fit. The spacing between your stock and barreled action will be as precise and snug as possible.
• Universal stocks feature wider areas for the bolt notch and barrel channel. The section of the stock near the action port is cut flat and low enough to avoid interference with ports and bolt stops of any configuration.

And if your gunsmith still recommends bedding?

“Trust your gunsmith,” said Zingaro. “If they’re telling you to bed the rifle, they’ve probably got a reason tailored to your setup.”

Bottom line: Bedding isn’t dead—but for most builds, it’s officially optional.

About McMillan Stocks
McMillan Stocks has been setting the standard for precision rifle stocks since 1973. Known for unmatched quality, customization, and durability, McMillan products are proudly made in the USA and trusted by competitive shooters, military units, law enforcement agencies, and hunters worldwide. Every McMillan stock is handcrafted to deliver performance, reliability, and pride of ownership that lasts a lifetime.