I wouldn't use it even for a 28 gauge. IMO the layout isn't very good in the head/neck area. Recoil isn't the problem. The problem is if you happen to take any kind of a fall its probably going to break. Also, when its finished IMO it just won't look right because the grain is going to swing up or down where it meets the receiver. Just my opinion and worth about what folks normally pay for it.
Regarding the knot, I had one in a very nice stock that had a void under the knot. Somewhere over time the knot just fell out and bingo, you have a 1/2" hole just show up that went in for another inch. We fixed it, but it never really looked right.
