Originally Posted by spclark

Um, in reality it's a target rifle's 'action' (the serialized component onto which the trigger is affixed, in which the bolt rides, and to which the barrel is secured) that get bedded in epoxy. Thinking has gone the last few decades that barrels themselves should 'float' and that any contact with the stock (or anything else) isn't a good thing as the barrel vibrates during the passage of a bullet.

One can use paste wax as a release agent too when 'bedding' stuff. Grease can be applied too thickly, leaving more of a gap than otherwise would result once the bedding epoxy's cured.

But yes, I suspect that any gap may contribute to movement under torque and should be minimized or better, eliminated.