Dial indicator is a good tool to see what's going on. Indicate on the action floor plate scope everything from the barrel stub back. No need to indicate the barrel to fore stock, it's going to move. No matter you don't hold the fore stock shooting offhand. Having said that stiff fore stocks make good bench rest guns. Offhand rifle with a weight to make should not waste ounces on stiff fore stocks.

Wippy fore stock is why I don't worry about how my 1712 groups off the bench

Boats

How to check the bedding. Put the action in the stock and put the screws in, just in and not tightened. Turn the rifle so it is vertical muzzle up and the butt between your legs while you are sitting in a chair. Put your screw driver on the front screw and start turning it in. You are holding the action in the stock with the other hand near the front screw. When you feel the screw start to tighten move a finger from the holding hand to a point on the side of the action and stock near the front screw so can feel the action and stock. Two things should be happening now while you are turning the screw in and out if the bedding is good--1 you should feel no movement between the action and the stock--2 your front screw should tighten up in 1/16 to 1/8 turn. You should NOT have to draw the action into the stock. Now for the rear screw. Move your holding hand to the rear of the action near the rear screw and place a finger to feel the actin and stock. As with the front screw you should feel no movement when you tighten and loosen the rear screw. Also this screw should tighten up with 1/16 to 1/8 turn. As stated in earlier posts the screws should not touch the side of the pillars and most people agree that the recoil lug should only touch the bedding on the back side. The idea of bedding is to get the action mating perfectly with the stock with no binding, or pulling in at all.