JGray,
I don't remove any wood from the tip, just rough it up enough to hold the bedding compound firmly. At the rear of the forend I file off any dark spots, indicating the wood's been compressed by firmer contact with the action, no matter where they are.
I appreciate this advice. I'm about to get my project gun back and will be shooting it in benchrest matches right away. It shot like crazy in the factory take-off stocks that I modified into patterns. I'm hoping it shoots like that when I get it. If it doesn't, this is the first thing I will do. I gotta make it shoot good enough so I don't make a complete fool of myself in our local club matches.
Thanks.
