Heavy barrel question

Okay guys, I am picking up a new heavy barrel .308 in a couple weeks. It has a synthetic stock.

My question is, how important is bedding and free floating on a heavy barrel? Thinking would say with the thickness and weight of the barrel, there should not be as much movement that pressure would cause like it would on a pencil barreled rifle.

But I have been wrong before......

Paul

Don't tell me I stumped the band.

Either that, or it is so ignernt that no one will answer.

Paul

I agree with jbpmidas, shoot the gun first. Then know what you want it to do. Then send to Dixie Precision Rifiles and or talk to Alton Britt. These people can make it do what you want it to do.

Well, the gun is nothing special, and I am not looking for competition shooting, I simply want to make the most it. This will be a truck/range gun.

I put a Marlin XS7VH on layaway, and will pick it up in a few weeks.
I have already arranged to have the 26" barrel cut down and recrowned.

Paul

Bedding is for the action mostly. The barrel is usually free floated. Like the folks said. Shoot it first.