We're working with a friend's Model 70 Featherweight in 7x57mm Mauser. It has a glassbedded action, looks as if the barrel has been re-crowned, sharp rifling, some plastic bedding for the full length of the barrel. There appears to be zero pressure on the barrel. It just rests in the channel, no freefloating at all. Does the Model 70s in Featherweight do better with a slight upward pressure on the barrel about an inch from the end of the forearm, or do they do better in the accuracy department freefloated? Thank you ... Tom Purdom

Its an easy thing to check: Make you some card stock washers to go between the action and the stock. Put a couple or three (or so) around the mounting screws and tighten things down. You want the barrel totally free floating so do the dollar bill thing between the forearm and the barrel. Shoot a few groups letting the barrel cool completely between sticks.
Now then, remove the washers and, using card stock, make a couple of shims to put between the barrel and the forearm. You want a definite pressure. Shoot a few groups as above and compare them.

No one can answer that question, it is a try and see with every gun...

Some shoot free floating, some tight as yours is and some with 3 point bedding (pressure up front)...Try it as it, then put a shim or two under it and try that, if not then free float it...if it does not satisfy you with any of the above then sell it.

Ray is absolutely right. With the featerweights, some like to be floated, some like support but no pressure, some like pressure with the amounts varying. There is no st answer. Each rifle is an individual.