Thanks for the link and I did just read that. I have heard of bedding in front of the recoil lug, about an inch ahead, not four inches. I talked to my friend after he talked to this "smith" and he was told "this is how we did it in the Marines". All kinds of flags on this guy. Putting aside this smiths claims of being a Marine, I looked at the training manuals on the M40A1 thru A3, the manual only shows a pad of about and inch to an inch and a half past the recoil lug. I guess my question now is, is it screwed up and needing redone, or will it work out? I do see from the link posted that barrel contact with the stock produces better groups the less bedding there is.
Any other input is greatly appreciated.