I couldn't agree more with Jeff and Builder. IMO, if the grain at the head of the stock is more than 10-15 degrees (max) off perpendicular (relative to the face), you run the likelyhood of another busted stock. If you just happen to have a piece of wood that's more than 10 degrees off, you can bowtie the face (like Remington). If this is hard to picture, let me know, and I'll post detailed photos which will help you to pick the correct cut of wood in the future.
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OT...Jeff Mull...do you hunt in the Bay City/Saganaw area? or is that another Jeff Mull*?
