Cross-bolts for .358 Norma Mag?

[jpr9954]

I just bought an Eddystone 1917 in .358 Norma Magnum. It has a nice walnut stock. However, it does not have any cross-bolts to strengthen the stock that I can see.

Should I have cross-bolts installed to protect the stock from splitting?

 

[BnC 04]

You can't go wrong with having the added strength with crossbolts but can't say they are all out necessary.
I did have them installed in my 358 Norma custom when having it built.

 

[Shootist43]

jpr9954, do you have any idea about how many 358 Norma Magnum have been fired through it? Has the action been bedded?

 

[jpr9954]

jpr9954, do you have any idea about how many 358 Norma Magnum have been fired through it? Has the action been bedded?

I don't know how much it has been shot as I bought it in an auction and not in a sale from an individual or shop.

I don't know about the bedding yet but do plan to pull the stock today to check on that.

 

[CoElkHunter]

My stock CZ 550 .458 Lott has NO crossbolts. So far, it hasn’t been an issue.

 

[jpr9954]

My stock CZ 550 .458 Lott has NO crossbolts. So far, it hasn’t been an issue.

.458 Lott is certainly a stouter round than the .358 Norma.

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

I just bought an Eddystone 1917 in .358 Norma Magnum. It has a nice walnut stock. However, it does not have any cross-bolts to strengthen the stock that I can see.

Should I have cross-bolts installed to protect the stock from splitting?

@jpr9954
The original M17 and P14 had a crossbolt behind the recoil lug for a reason so yes I would put one there

 

[mark-hunter]

I spoke with my gunsmith about this recently, as upgrade to my latest acquisition ZKK 602, 375 H&H.
He said, that recoil lug is sufficient, no need for crossbolts.

 

[fourfive8]

If you have a drill press, fairly easy DIY project. Requires fabrication of simple alignment jig for best result. Talley makes pretty decent cross bolts. Done correctly, won’t hurt. May or may not be necessary- that requires a crystal ball. If you’ve never done it, good project to learn how.

 

[jpr9954]

Well, I have finally pulled the rifle out of the stock. The barrel is marked "Harry McGowan" on the underside. I understand he was the predecessor owner of McGowen Precision Barrels. There appears to be a date of 12/28/1967 with 1881 after that with the initials "R.B." below it. Like this:

Harry McGowan
12 28 67 1881
R.B.​

The recoil lug and barrel were fully bedded in what appears to be AcraGlass. I do not see any evidence of a crossbolt.

As to the suggestion that I do install a crossbolt myself as a learning project, I think I'll leave that to the experts! My gunsmithing expertise is more or less limited to assembling a stripped AR lower and installing the LPK.

 

[jpr9954]

I reached out to a local gunsmith today. He wants $150 to do a crossbolt.

After re-watching Larry Potterfield's MidwayUSA video on crossbolts, I think what I'll do is use threaded rod embedded in epoxy as internal crossbolts. He talks about that as one way to do it at the 2 minute mark.

I read elsewhere that is what Jack Lott used on his builds.