Understand completely, that's a good explanation. Has a torqued base been a problem for this rifle in the past? Have you had this problem with other rifles in the past?
also, once the compound is set, I assumed you're going to re-thread the holes to alleviate any issues with their perfectly-perpendicular-yet-true-to-the-bore that may or may not now be present......
I'm not doubting any of your skills, Ray. It's really not my intention. Bedding a scope base just seems, to me, like pole-vaulting over a mouse turd.
I've always tested to see if everything tightens up, and if it shoots, then problem solved. I'm pretty nerdy, and this thread only feeds that......my wife doesn't thank you, as now I feel compelled to watch you do this and then consider doing it on my LR bolt gun.