Im in the process of building a 300 WSM heavy benchrest rifle for varmint hunting. I have a 30" 1.25 straight taper, Rock Creek barrel ordered. Its going on a Model 16 action, with a single shot follower. It's going to sit in a Richards thumbhole, benchrest stock.
My question, would I need to bed the first couple inches of the barrel to help maintain the weight of the barrel. I'm going to pillar bed the action, using Devon, for the pillars, and putting Devon on the bottom length of the action as well, so I know the action isn't going anywhere, just didn't want to put undo stress on the action. Looking at the barrel weight calculator, the barrel will weigh about 10 pounds even, just a little more, once i put a muzzle brake on the end.
Thanks, Billy