I had been thinking about posting this question for a long time, holding off only because I was kind of embarrassed to ask, but when a prominent stockmaker asked me the same thing this morning, I decided it was time to take the plunge:

What is the reasoning behind using tapered wood screws in gunmaking? Any rotation from tight will leave no usable engagement in the wood. Thought perhaps some of our friends in the UK could enlighten. Thank you.

Craig Libhart