Free Floating barrel on Ruger MK-2 all-weather

[imq707s]

I'm thinking about free floating the barrel in my Ruger all-weather rifle in 7mm Mag. I've been working on load development for a few weeks and it seems like as the barrel heats up it really messes up the groups. Would free floating the barrel help? Here is my idea, what if I put a few washers between the front action pad and the stock where the front action screw is and effectively raise the front of the action and the barrel up a few mm. This would "free-float" the barrel the same as trimming away some of the forearm section of the stock for clearence. Is this a good idea or not? I figure that if it didn't work I could allways take out the washers and put it back to the way it was.

 

[Flashman]

I guess my question is why. The MkII is a hunting rifle. If accuracy is acceptable for the first three shots, what's the problem? Altering the stock will void Ruger's warranty and there certainly is no guaranty it will improve warm barrel accuracy. It might have the effect detiorating accuracy overall and then you can't go back to what you had.