I have an old Whitworth stock that has a Bubba'd crossbolt. To use it I'm planning to epoxy the square bolt in the stock and plug the holes with ebony. This will give me a recoil shoulder for my .375 H&H but nothing to keep the stock from expanding from side to side. I'll install a bolt behind the magazine and relieve everything so the recoil lug is the only rear contact point. As this is my first .375 bedding job I'm curious if you folks think this will be sturdy enough to keep the stock from splitting?

375 shouldn't split the stock unless it's really poor wood.

If you want ultimate strength - look what I did on this thread for my 404:

http://forums.accuratereloadin...431073791#1431073791

Go down to the March 15th post

Model 70 375s have a barrel recoil lug as well, so much of the force is relieved from your action area. The area behind the mag is most likely to crack, so a threaded lug there is best. You will be fine.

Thank's for your replies. This is my first .375, but it won't be my last!

You might consider a second recoil lug on the barrel, as opposed to a useable cross bolt.

I, personally would simply install a Talley cross bolt if I were you, if the stock is messed up I would install a brass or Ebony as you suggested and then install a Talley inside that. Make the ebony or brass rather small and keep it all in balance as to looks..That really looks nice and it will keep the recoil mortise and magazine walls stable.

It never hurts to use two cross bolts, and extra recoil lug and even glass bedding in a DG rifle going to out of the way places where gunsmiths are unavailable, Its always good insurance..I can't tell you the number of broken rifles I have seen on African safaris, mostly factory stuff, but more custom rifles than I care to see split or whatever.

He already has a barrel recoil lug if he has a factory Model 70.