Rancho Loco
There should not be much stress in the area in a typical stock. It really does nothing beyond acting as a stablizer bar between the sides. The recoil is supposed to work on the lug and be directed down the sides of the magazine box to the butt. Inertia in the rifle and shoulder allow some to be translated to the sides, but not much.
Crossbolts are really designed to spread recoil across more wood, not hold the sides together under recoil..
art
