Is relieving of the forend and barrel usually needed with a heavy barrel .223?

[briannmilewis]

Having just done the forend relieving and barrel stud washer trick with my 22 hornet, I handled a beautiful camo stocked heavy barrel .223 with scope at Dick's yesterday, and wondered if the forend and barrel tricks are generally needed with these really substantial feeling rifles. I thought they may be on the average more accurate out of the box. Or is it still a rifle by rifle basis? It looked so beautiful it would be a shame to touch it. It was $299 and Dick's has two coupons good till 1/31/2010 - $10% off over $250 and $20 off also. It was in the store room, not on the shelf.

[gendoc]

can't never tell til ya shoot it...
the o-ring is a good practice.

better go buy it, fer sumone else does 

[cwlongshot]

Are you asking about fitment, or for accuracy enhancement?

For fitment, no most any forend will fit any barrel. Actually they are cut for the biggest barrels so the smaller skinny ones get the "gaps". 

For accuracy, Gendoc told you right. Gotta shoot it to really tell. Most show improvement after a good fitting, while others need nothing.

FWIW, Its been my experience that proper forend fit followed by proper and consistant latch engagement are the two biggest contributors to better accuracy with a handi.

Good luck,
CW