I've used the Accraglass blue stuff. It works, but is messy. Now I use the Brownell's accra-eze spray-on. It is almost too easy, and has never given me a problem.
The way you describe pulling apart a bedding job is about the hardest way to get the job done. At least it seems that way to me. I just lay a folded towel at the edge of the table, then holding the rifle as you normally would, give the barrel (close to the fore-end) a downward smack on the towel. You normally hear a pop, then you can easily work the barreled action out of the stock. Be sure to remove the action screws first - don't ask. Then I knock the bottom metal out from the top. I haven't had any difficulty with this method at all... Good Luck!
