Thank you again for your kindness and the sharing of your expertise!

I apologize for the questions below but picking the right stock blank is so critical to a serious caliber. I have friends who have had bad luck with their stocks.
Please explain or refer to pictures if possible for the visual verification of ?decent grain layout and what best features we would look for in picking a blank to determine fitness for a big boomer like a 458 Lott etc.

Dumb Question #1- Should the "strongest" grain run vertically up and down or horizontally down the stock for a DG rifle?

Dumb question #2-How can you tell the difference between darker figuring of the wood and "knots" which supposedly make the stock weaker.Can you look at a blank externally and reject it or must you work it to assess it further?

Dumb question #3-- What are your preferred "unusual" dense hardwoods for DG rifles other than walnut?

Sorry to be so ignorant with stock woods.