This is an old thread, but what I have discovered may be of some interest to others using a barrel block. I built a barrel block stock from steel in a standard F Class pattern, I am a machinery fabricator by trade. The barrel block is 4140 Cr steel, welded into the stock, a cap of 316 stainless was used for appearance. Using an old barrel ( until the new one arrived ), the initial groups were great, but after 10 or 12 shots, would open up. I believe the age of the barrel is the primary problem, but I decided to test the stability of the barrel from cold to hot. Clamping the assembled rifle to a surface plate, I poured boiling water through a hose and chamber adapter, collecting it in a pan at the muzzle. I positioned a dial indicator on the muzzle for vertical movement and another for horizontal. From cold to hot, it measured .004" of vertical movement, given a base of 24" from block to muzzle, that is .6" at 100 yds. I assumed the stainless cap was responsible for a differential heat loss, so I made a new Cr cap and machined a greater channel in the stock to accept a copper sleeve, assuming the copper would ensure complete heat transfer to the block and cap. I reassembled the rifle, including thermal grease, and when retested, the movement was the same! After some thought, I guessed the problem was too much heat transfer, so I reassembled the block with carburetor gasket material instead of copper and retested. The vertical movement was less than .0005", which equaled a similar test of a good barrel in a barrel vise. I believe this is why the epoxy sleeved barrel blocks worked well, and why I would be careful of contacting the barrel with any heat sinking material. I plan the use silicone rubber for the sleeve material in the future.