When I work from a blank I do some rough band sawing around the grip area but not on the butt. That allows you to adjust the drop, length of pull,pitch after the action finds a home. I have only done fifty or so that way and I find that I can make minor changes in the angle the action meets the wood in spite of trying not to. The slab also makes a great place to grab the stock in a vise and really hold on to it. The grain looks right in the pistol grip area.
bill