Something to consider is that mosture affects wood stocks and if the barrel is lying on the wood then as the wood swells and shrinks it places pressure on the barrel affecting point of impact. Though I have not noticed it on my Hawken I have seen this on some of my center fire rifles. A lot depends on the finish on the stock and on the realtive humidity.

That is why most rifles have floating barrel. I have not checked my Hawken yet to see if the barrel is floating or not yet.

Eric