A good review that answers your questions (maybe).Does a Magpul Hunter stock on a Remington 700 action need to be bedded? If so, where does the bedding compound go?
I use cigarcop and know that it is right!
I like using threaded rod cut to length with tape wrapped around to take up any space in the pillars. This will keep action square to the stock. I also use nuts and washers on the threaded rod to draw the action down into the bedding . Then loosen them up and make sure they are not more then finger tight while the epoxy is curing. Also support the weight of the barrel up front so it doesn’t droop down and stress the action. With the threaded rod holding the stock and barrel together it makes cleanup easier then it would with tape or surgical tubing in the way. You can find 1/4x28 rod at Grainger pretty cheap. Another trick while spreading the bedding into the barrel channel is to put a couple empty .223 cases into the pillar holes to keep bedding compound from getting into pillars. Remove them before the action is dropped into the channel.You can make you 2 studs that fit the holes in the stock with 1/4×28 threads on one end.
If you use cut off bolts wrap them with blue tape to center them up in the stock.
Let gravity hold it as the epoxy drys setting on bipods or in front and rear bags if it' a wide benchrest stock.