I was raised as an experimental sort, so am not shy of trying something different. The intention of bedding the handguard was to avoid two problems: any weakness that could cause splitting; and to use an absorbant material that would help reduce barrel vibration in the weak barrel of the original No. 1 Mk 111. If the handguards are completely free-floating then they will be relatively weak and there will be nothing to stop barrel vibration in the bedded foreend, whatever rigid method is used. Cork is fine because it is like sponge, to a certain extent. However, I found that I got one inch five shot groups from my 1917 No. 1 by fibreglass-bedding the barrel and using the silicone application in the handguard. That's good enough for me!