stud - I think you can tighten the nut from the inside of the stock

"but the stock is also noticably closer to barrel on one side"
ahh, you zee same problem as moi, the flipping screw hole was drilled too big or is missing a sleeve/pillar.
I called savage, the gal was nice and sent a new screw of the same size, I tried to explain in vain. maybe I should have sprechen in aother tongue.