I always use lamp rod, and have done a few of the Axis-Boyds "Classics" with them.
I don't remember if I destroyed the wood around the hole when boring it out or not, but I never really worry about it if I do. (More often not, I do, whether using 10/110 or Axis) 'cuz I make the hole plenty large so the pillars are sure to be centered and positioned properly, knowing the epoxy will be stronger than the wood anyhow.
Once I am all done, (ready to re-assemble and shoot) I also bore-out the pillar a bit more so as to be certain the screws are free-floated. Remember, the purpose of the pillars is only to prevent the wood from compressing under torque and maybe to help position/support the action at the proper height prior to the epoxy setting-up. Once that is done, the material used for the pillars can't be considered "too thin" because the epoxy is already there surrounding the entire pillar. At that point, if you wanted to, you could bore-out the entire pillar and not hurt anything. Of course, I would not do so intentionally, but you see my point.
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