I did. No regrets.
My 6.5x55 is in the synthetic stock though. Accurate out of the box. That stock has contact points in the barrel channel that keep it centered.
The barrel gap may be a easy fix. I have on in 30-06 with a walnut stock. The walnut didn't fit as precisely as the molded stock. To satisfy my OCD-ness about the bedding, I glassed the barrel under the chamber and the front ring with a wrap of tape around the barrel at the forend to center it during the bedding process. Disassemble/reassemble and everything aligns as it should, stress free. Shot the equally well before and after.
