I also have a Ruger .218Bee only in No.1S. This has the medium weight barrel and is a substantial piece of steel when drilled for .224".

I fitted a 1B front end and cut off the front sling swivel stub. I then inlet around the barrel band that was left. It gave me the option of mounting a bipod for varmint use.

An old local gun dealer and amateur gunsmith (Roy Cook) said the best way to bed these rifles was similar to what was needed for smaller Martini S/S's. Prevent the rear face of the front wood from contacting the front of the reciever metal when fired. I sanded off the excess and at the tip of the fore end sanded off just enough to keep the wood contacting the barrel. The forend is essentially just screwed to the front barrel which is 'floating'.

This worked very well. On a model with a thinner barrel there would not be as much rigidity.