Are they?

Most likely not. Do you plan on loading the Rigby to full potential (Weatherby levels) or leaving at the 400 grain @ 2400 fps factory level?

If you are going to load it up to Weatherby levels and shoot it alot (800 +) I would recommend the cross bolts. They are cheap insurance against delamination though the trigger group web.

Todd E

Caution on cross bolts on composite stocks, the head of most cross bolts is thicker than the outside laminate of the stock. The main reason for crossbolts is to prevent spreading of the stock, if the crossbolt head goes through the full thickness of the laminate, nothing is gained. Now, an altenative is to strongly epoxy an internal steel reinforcement inside the stock, behind the recoil lug. Make sure the epoxy bonds well to the inside of the laminate wall. Alternative no. 2 is to install the internal reinforcement as above, then drill & tap through the laminate wall, into the internal reinforcement, and use button head socket head capscrews, one from each side. (I actually pre drill & tap the crossbolt, then drill the holes through the side of the stock and use the screws to hold the crossbolt as the epoxy cures). I reduce the head thickness of the button head screws so the protrusion on the side of the stock is minimal. And I have been known to make special screws similar to the Mauser type cross bolts with two holes in the head for a spanner.

McMillan uses a much denser "Magnum Fill" for the stocks destined for magnum rifles. This material is much stronger than the common fill used by most composite stock manufacturers. I have had no problems with the McMillan stocks on 338 Ultras and 416 Remingtons.

Select your composite stock carefully, some are made with poor internal fill and are sort of useless for high recoil rifles.

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[This message has been edited by John Ricks (edited 03-09-2002).]