Since I wasn't going to use this forend for any other rifle, I put a couple of epoxy pillars fore and aft of the forend screw, using multiple layers of pieces of old photograph prints in several places as shims to hold it in position until the epoxy cured. The barrel is thus permanently floated. Screw tension is just adjusted to a comfortable permanent position and torque in regard to the screw head. Here's a picture in case you want an alternative to the O ring technique. I used several layers of car wax on the barrel for a release agent.
I'm just starting extensive firing trials for accuracy and velocity but have gotten good groups and the arrangement seems to have minute of angle potential.
:wink:
stuffit