Details on bedding, wood v. non-wood stocks

[Derek M.]

I am wondering if someone can tell me exactly what is meant by "skim" bedding unless it is simply applying a touch of bed compound around the screw hole, and possibly in the recess for the recoil lug.

I also would like to know if you take a wood stock, open the recess for the recoil lug, add compound, and pillar bed it, is this not just as good as a bed job on a non-wood stock?

I ask because I have 2 rifles, both of which I kept the wood stock, and had them painted in a Southwest Oregon pattern by Noveske some years ago. The rifles are "skim" and pillar bedded and shoot just as well as any of my rifles that have non-wood stocks. One is a 30.06 and it has been used in heavy rain as well.

Just curious as I actually like the feel of a wood stock better but use primarily McMillan and HS Precision stocks because I read over and over that they make superior shooting rifles. Just not in my experience.