I got the impression from the link, that all that matters is if you see swirls on the end grain.

I think the fact that the log renders 25% more blanks when cut as suggested, plays a role in the Sawyer's decisions.

I also think that relatively few stocks break from recoil. Most fancy grade blanks are for club guns whose only risk is getting shut in a car door, or knocked out of the rack.

Out there doing it best I can.