thom2

It is quite normal for the the barreled action to rock some what in the stock until the both lug screws are tighten down. Once they are tight the rock will no longer be there. You still may be able to squeeze the barrel and forearm of the stock and get the forearm to flex, but if the barrel is floated properly it will not make a difference.

A couple thing you might do, insert the barreld action in the stock, start the lug screws into the receiver. Then stand the rifle on it's recoil pad and gently tap the recoil pad on the floor/counter - what ever it is standing on. Then make sure to tighten the lug screw near the trigger first and the outer one last.

The other thoughts I have expressed in the thread that has been pointed out.

If you have a thumbhole stock or the laminate stock none of this necessary.

If you are getting verticle stringing - I would wonder about forearm contact with the barrel as it heats up. I guess I assume you have ran the dollar bill down under the barrel to make sure it is floating.

One other little trick you can try to shim the lug pockets to lift the action and the barrel up out of the stock a few clicks. If your pattern settles then you have a stock problem. If it contines you might have a barrel heating problem.