Gents,

I see all this talk about crossbolts and while I understand the need for them on certain rifles, I am not sure how they are actually fitted in practice or how they work...

Do they simply “pinch” the sides of the stock together to stop them spreading/splitting under recoil? Is the stock simply drilled and the bolts glassed in so the heads are countersunk just below the wood surface or is there more to it than that ie do the recoil lugs on the action need to butt up against the cross bolts?

Sorry if these are dumb questions, but I confess I have never owned a rifle with crossbolts!

Regards,

Pete

Yes, their primary purposeis to hold the stock against splitting. I made cutters to countersink the bolts as you describe. I prefer not to have the recoil lug bear against the bolts. I have seen some cases where this was done (Sako rifles) where the cross bolt itself actually started a split in the horizontal plane. In many cases the crossbolt just ahead of the trigger group is the most beneficial in re-inforcing the stock.
To prevent splitting, an alternative is to bury a cut off screw in glass within the bedding. A wood dowel can also be effective in some cases. Others no doubt have other, and maybe better, ideas. Regards, Bill.

Bill,

I kinda assumed that it was more complicated than that, thanks for the explanation,

Regards,

Pete

There was a great link on this forum to an article posted on someone's webpage called "Jack Lott on Stocks" or something to that effect...

The six or so pages from an old Guns Digest discussed reinforcing big bore stocks against recoil and it held a great deal of relevant information and detail pictures...

Sorry, but I can't find the link! Anyone know where this article is???

DeBee,

I think this is the article you are talking about!


Jack Lott


Craig

I use the "imbedded bolt/screw" method that is described in the Lott article. It is simple and effective. I have also repaired stocks that were split behind the recoil lug this way and all are still holding together just fine.