Hi Lone Star,
Well I can attest than none of the classic stalking/sporting rifles that I have in my small collection have any bedding compound in them, some of the newer ones do but then that's because the wood was kiln dried and for cost cutting. As you say a proper inletting job take skill and time. I do believe it's something thta the Like of Holland & Holland still do, Rigby's used to but now their American owned and based in the PRK (California) I do not know how they build their rifles.
The one I have from the start of the 20th century is certainly bedded correctly
. And I will certainly have the Schoenauer which I am re-building stocked and beded properly once I can afford the stock and work that is
.
Progress is not always a good thing it would seem
The Stevens I ahve seen had small actions and a lilited beddign area and had two piece stocks as well, not what the experts tell us is optimum for accuracy
yet Pope managed it.