I reckon having the best data available is rather better than guessing or making more assumptions than absolutely necessary. Plus, load paths aren't always at 90 degrees to the bore axis. I don't expect IMMEDIATE results here, but somebody's got to actually "get their hands dirty" and DO something!
Funding, of course, is always part of the situation, I understand we're not the "government" w/ "unlimited" resources.
But never mind me, I don't know nuttin'!