Steve I can add a comment regarding wood drying out though not necessarily from the gun being in a safe. I once moved from the California coast to Colorado. Deer season began 2 months later and I eagerly looked forward to shooting my first mule deer with my favorite Model 70 in 270 WCF. As luck would have it the first morning I hunted I saw a mule deer walking about 40 yards from me. Using a steady rest I fired all 5 shots at the deer and missed every time. With my gun now empty the deer nonchalantly walked away. He didn't even give me the good feeling of running as if he had something to fear. I had just sighted the rifle in prior to leaving California so had no idea why I had missed. While walking back to my truck I happened to lift the rifle by the barrel. It was then that I noticed a decided wiggle in the gun. When I stopped to look at the rifle I could hold the barrel with one hand and the stock in the other. The stock simply shook loosely on the barreled action. Later when I got home I tightened the guard screws and shot the rifle. It was centered as I had left it when I drove from California to Colorado. the dry air of Colorado had shrunk the wood leaving the stock loose. I haven't had that happen before or since but it can happen.
Dennis
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