In my opinion, Remington 700 actions are one of the easiest actions to bed and get "right". I've never had stock cracking problems on that model. Unless it's going on a very heavy recoiling bbl action, it doesn't need a cross bolt in the stock.

You must be carefull to have clearance on the bottom, the sides, and front side of the recoil lug. Also when you assemble a 700 into the stock, sitting with the muzzle up, tighten the top screw first, then then bottom one, and the center one last, and that one only gets snugged up. The top screw is the one you have fairly tight.

Maybe 700's have changed of late, but when i was working with them, NOTHING in it's class would out shoot a "tuned up" 700 Rem...

Winchesters, Rugers, Mausers, Wby's didn't stand a chance on the range!!! And if you looked at a list of the "winners" at a major bench rest shoot, seldom would there be anything but a custom action, or a Rem. action on that list.

Perhaps things have changed now???

Drilling Man