Need some advice again regarding bolt action center fire.

I have been looking into getting a center fire bolt action rifle on a budget. So far I am thinking about getting a Howa 1500 heavy varmint barrelled action and putting it into a Hogue overmold stock. This rifle will mostly be used at the range for distances up to around 600yards. This will be my first foray into long distance shooting. I may eventually hunt with it. So I have a couple of questions. In case it maters I live in Australia

The stock is plastic but offers pillar bedding and free floating the barrel but is not wood hence sinfully ugly. I can get similarly priced wooden thumbhole stock but without the pillar bedding and floated barrel so my question is how important is bedding and free floating important to accuracy. I understand the theory but in practice how much in MOA does it matter?

I picked Howa because it’s seems to be the best value for money. I can afford a varmint barrel with this gun. How does it compare to the Ruger M77 normal barrel no bedding or free floating which can be had for similar money?

In terms of calibre its either .308 or 30-06. I realise they are similar but I am leaning towards .308W as the brass is slightly cheaper and it uses a little less powder. I reload. Is there any particular benefit with 30-06 I would to hear from you guys. I heard a very long ranges 1000 yards 308 is a little more accurate but I wont be there for a while.

I will probably go with the blued finish but what exactly are the benefits of stainless finish besides aesthetics?

I would like to have two piece scope mounts for better access to the action and form what I understand there is not real difference between one piece and two piece scope mounts. Can any one recommend decent scope mounts for this rifle. Howas take vanguard and rem 700 mounts.

I have very little understanding of scopes and have not really looked through the good stuff so I am not sure what I am missing. Based on the rifle I am thinking Niko Stirling or Tasco. I have used both scopes and they seem to do the job. Are there any recommendations out there?

Sorry for the long list but you guys have always been such a good source of information.