reloading eventually brings about the need to understand to do abit of homesmithing as loads show stock weaknesses. In my case I have a crack going thru the wooden cross web behind the recoil lug that runs up to the top and then foward. It is up against the sidewall of the right side of stock. Even though the recoil lug is fully bedded in this old stock the rear tang area began to split after shooting 5 rounds of 250grn Kodiaks with 50grns. of RL15 in this .338-06

I am leaning towards the use of a crossbolt. Is their various sizes? I see that there is a magnum crossbolt so is there one of smaller dimension? The location of the hole is to be located mid height or where in that web block? What tools do you need to do the job. I suspect it is necessary to epoxy the bolt in the web.

appreciate any input.

The fit is too tight at the rear of the tang into the stock. Relieve the wood in this area and should solve your problem. Since the stock is already split, crossbolt installation wouldn't be a bad idea for reinforcement.

Check out Brownell's - they normally have instructions for this sort of thing.

Or you could just drop it in a purty Laminate stock :D

Or you could just drop it in a purty Laminate stock :D
boy oh boy those laminates are nice, have only one here in my home and sure is a nice one! Resolved that crack by using a dremel cross wise with the block and redoing the bedding over that and more on the sides for a complete job instead of just the recoil lug and bottom channel. Relieved my bedding job at the tang. So thus far it appears really hopeful. Just need to load up again and fire away.

kdub is right on the money. Your getting recoil forces pushing against places other than the recoil lug. My advice would be to rebed the rifle. I've fixed several high recoiling guns this way.

Not only do I bed in the recoil lug, but I piller bed both action screws also. Sure sounds like the back of the action is applying that recoil force to the back of the stock.

Even putting in a crossbolt with bedding won't cure the problem unless you releave in back of the action so it doesn't bear on the stock.

As far as a laminated stock there the toughest stocks on the market. I've had really good results with Richards Micro-fit laminated stocks. They have some really nice stock styles. I've put on several of the dual grip sporters on high recoiling rifles. They can be used as a standard stock or with the thumbhole they reduce felt recoil a bunch.

The most common crack is between the recoil lug and the mag. well...that thin web of wood, usually with the grain running the worng way for any strength, cracks. Second most common is at the action tang, as the recoil lug compresses he wood, the tange makes contact and splits the wood (most tangs are a pretty good imitation of the right shape for a log splitter).

Will do all the reienforcing internally, without external cross bolts. Use a cross bolt, but it's inletted into the stock and bonded in...is not exposed on the sides. On really hard kicking rifles in highly figured stocks, have added a second recoil lug 2" farther up the barel...using two lugs seems to cure a whole lot of problems with fancy grained wood.