Draws should fit solidly on both sides and the barrel should be free in the barrel channel. There is a pressure point in the forestock where the Magpie Screw draws the Inner Band downwards. There is also a 2-inch reinforce at the front of the fore-end; many match shooters would cut this back to ONE inch, but no less. The action and chamber of the barrel should be solid in the woodwork, then free ahead of that.

There is considerable vibration of the barrel while the rifle is actually firing. In order that this vibration be allowed to work its own way, there is relief around the barrel. A sheet of paper or a banknote should draw freely along the barrel channel and hang up only where the pressure points are found: at the Inner Band and at the Muzzle Reinforce.

I have an Australianicon 1918 SMLE which had been restocked in 1944 but never fired. When I got it, it made a 14-inch group at 100, using my test load. Actually, it was shooting two 2-inch groups, one above the other, about a foot apart. I bedded the critter exactly as above, using Acra-Glas and sandpaper (gently), let it set up for 4 days, took it out and shot it again. Group size now was very much under one inch..... and it was shooting only the single group.

Hope this helps.
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