Lynn, that is my side of this barrel index discussion, gun assembly alignment. Lets assume the pivot point of a ill bedded/chambered assembly is 24" back from the muzzle. i.e. The recoiling gun will pivot 24" from the muzzle in its recoil path. From that 24" pivot point, if the barrel muzzle moves just 0.005" sideways, the POI change at the target at 100 yards is 3/4", and at 600 yards it is 4.5" and at 1000 yards the POI has shifted 7.5" if my 6AM math is correct.
Now, we know if every shot there was a 0.005" lateral movement, the bullets would all still go through the same hole. But, we know from shooting an ill assembled gun that it does not recoil the same with each shot whereas a properly assembled gun does recoil along its central axis.
My argument is that the muzzle bore exit point must be exactly straight in front of the chamber/action/stock assembly.