I couple of questions for the steel bed novice:

1. How long do you need to let the steel bed set up before separating the action and the stock?

2. How long after you use the steel bed before you can safely shoot the rifle without risking messing up the bedding?

Thanks!

Regardless of the specific bedding compound I am using, I let is set up for 24 hours minimum before separating the bedded parts. I let it set up for an additional 48 hours before firing the gun that has been bedded. Times can be shorter in hot weather, but I prefer to wait perhaps longer than absolutely essential.