I'm working on a budget build precision rifle based on a Savage 111 action.
When I bought the donor rifle, it had a factory profile 270 Win barrel on it. I just got the news that my medium varmint profile 7mm-08 barrel is going to be a while longer than I expected and I have all the other stuff ready to go. I'm planning on doing a pillar bed job on it and once that's done, fully bed the receiver leaving the barrel completely free-floated.
Here's the question: Can I put the factory barrel back on and bed the receiver now or would I be better off waiting for the new barrel before I start? I would think since I'm only bedding to the recoil lug that I should be able to go ahead. Otherwise you'd never be able to change the barrel on a bedded action. If I could go ahead and do the bedding, all I'd have to do when the barrel comes in is head space it and wouldn't go nuts waiting to shoot it.
Thanks in advance.