This sounds like it is going to be a pretty nice rig. The caliber is capable of very good accuracy. The skinny barrel on the 700 Mountain Rifle may shoot its tightest groups with fore-end pressure, but they will usually deliver the most consistent grouping if they are free floated. At my gunshop, we generally bed the recoil lug and the first two inches of the barrel - relieving enough wood forward of the recoil lug so that there is a generous amount of clearance around the barrel. After applying the bedding compound and tightening the guard screws; force a small screwdriver or possibly a toothpick in between the fore-end and the barrel at the 6 o'clock position - prying the two apart and putting about 10 pounds of tension between the fore-end and barrel. After the bedding compound dries, remove the shim. This will often give the rifle its best grouping potential and, more important, a consistent point of impact in varying temperature/humidity conditions.