Stock cross section behind breech

[Nhgrants]

As recently discussed the cross section of the barrel is carried into the wood behind the breech each side of the tang.  My question is as the surface slopes down from the side of the tang, does it become convex
To meet the edge of the side panel? Thanks

[Mark Elliott]

Mine do, but those panels (between the tang and the lock/side plate panels) are supposed to be as flat as you can get them.   On some style rifles, the area behind the breech can be concave; dished out as a method to take the wood down to the barrel flat.   

[Nhgrants]

Thanks Mark
I'm finding that if I keep them flat the whole way the top edge of the side plate panel will get lowered

[Mike Brooks]

You don't lower the top to match exactly the flats of the barrel, you'll run out of side panels. But, "in general" the wood between the breech tang and the top of the side panels "should be" flat. Depends somewhat on the school you're following.