I've bedded several bolt action rifles (Wood & fiberglass - If a rifle has a polymer or nylon stock, I replace it with a fiberglass stock) but have always used Brownell's Steel Bed bedding kits. Yup, it's a good idea to cut grooves & drill shallow holes for the compound to fill & adhere to. When I bed an action, I include around the first quarter to half inch of the barrel chamber area. I've not found it necessary to bed the entire chamber area but I could see where one might do that for an extra-long or heavy barrel.
Definitely bed the bottom metal as well. I usually do it as a separate job after the action bedding has fully set but you can do both at the same time.
Definitely bed the bottom metal as well. I usually do it as a separate job after the action bedding has fully set but you can do both at the same time.
I refuse to be victimized by notions of virtuous behavior.