My first rifle I ever had bedded was a Mod 700 BDL 7mm Mag, back in 83. In '82 I had an opportunity to hunt elk in November, Colorado. My rifle shot well in East Tx, 70ft above sea level, no colder than 35 degs sometimes, mostly still high 60's, but rained a lot. My rifle was not bedded, and I go up to close to 9000ft, snow and below freezing. No elk that trip, legs really got sore! ha When I got home, the rifle didn't shoot as well. It seemed the dryer Colorado air had messed with my stock. I had it bedded (no pillars, which I now prefer) and the barrel floated. It even shot better. So changes in weather/humidity, etc can have an affect on the wood stock. Here in Utah, in the early 90's I had a MKII ruger 338WM and a Mod 700 280 Mountain Rifle, unbedded, that shot great. I didn't mess with them at all.