I floated the barrel on my 788 using a deep well socket wrapped with sand paper. It came out great, even lines and smooth. I sealed it with tru-oil. I started with a socket that was barely bigger than the barrel channel with the sand paper wraped around it. I have not bedded it, but it shoots great. Sometimes I get in the way and the groups open up. Mine rifle is a .223 and I put a timmey trigger in it. A co-worker had one in .243 nonbedded action but floated barrel and it shot very well too. It had the factory trigger and shot an inch or less at 100yds with factory ammo.