I’m curious; did you by chance check the rail for fit before you bedded it? I’ve had (and have) some older commercial 98s that were gunsmith-drilled and tapped with “issues”, but never had a problem with other rifles. I know the practice is fairly common with some, just never felt I needed to do it.
Trouble with a new, spendy gun is a bitch, no doubt about it. Hope things turn out.
