I tried to do a drawing but it looks naff, with most rifles you should be able to slide a piece of paper etc between the stock and barrel it's doesnt to to be loads of space just enough to allow movement,
Alan
And then you get a group of folk who insist a barrel must be bedded too....
http://www.rifleshootermag.com/gunsm.../bedding_0304/
does seem to be American 'sporting rifle' shooters convinced by this. Personally I've just bedded the action.