Barrel switch

[Kurt]

Well I found a pretty good load for the .44-75 and decided to put the .22 barrel on it. I got the .44 barrel shooting very good these last few days so I figure I better see if the .22 barrel will shoot just a good.
While I was changing things around I pulled the but stock off and put the fifth coat of tung oil on it and when that dries I will take the rifle and put the new DZ scope on it for a while and see if I can find some good ammo for it.
Really starting to like this Stevens 44-1/2 action. The barrel switch is not as easy as I expected. It is a tight fit and I could not turn the barrel off by hand. I had to get the strap wrench out and anchored the action down on the cleaning box and with a slap of the hand on the wrench the barrel broke loose in fine shape.
I think it will loosen up with use in time.

Kurt

[Don McDowell]

When will the DZ scope get there? Did you have the 22 barrel drilled and tapped as well?

[Kurt]

I should have it by Monday Don.
Yes I had both barrels tapped for the 7.2 and 17

[Don McDowell]

Woohoo. sounds good.

[Nuclearcricket]

They must be fitting things up tighter now than they used to. Just to make sure, I pulled mine out of the safe and loosened the lock screw, opened the breach and holding the barrel and the but plate gave it a twist and it unscrewed easily. When screwed in tight by hand it indexes up correctly and tightly. As with any threads, I am sure that a few changes and it will require a little less effort but not so much as it feels loose.
Did you go ahead and screw the .22 barrel on? If so how did it fit?
Sam

[Kurt]

Sam.

Yes I did and it fit tight also. When I set the lock screw I saw it move slightly. I know it will also come off hard like the .44 barrel did.
But I would sooner have it this way. I can pack the strap wrench.
Kurt

[Lumpy Grits]

Kurt-Use some copper anti-seize on the bbl threads
It will really cut down on thread wear.
Gary

[Kurt]

TNX. Gary. I have a pint can and put some of that messy stuff on when a switched the barrels.

[Nuclearcricket]

Yes anti-seize would be good if the threads are tight. I have also read of people using teflon pipe tape on the barrel threads to cut down on wear, but if your threads are tight all the way in, I wouldn't go that route.
Sam

[Kurt]

Well I had a chance to shoot a few .22 rounds through the CPA today. I put the rifle back together. The wood is about as far as I will go for awhile till I find out how much it will shrink in the dry climates this summer. I don't want the wood shrinking below the butplate edges. I put the MVA tang sight on it and put a 2" orange sticker target set up at 50 yards. That is about as far as I can see that orange dot through the tang sights. I shot a few Norma Tac-22 rounds to find the sight setting and they stayed in the center of that sticker. Then I switched to the few Lapua Midas shells I had left and I must say this rifle is going to be a good one.
I should have the DZ scope tomorrow and when I get it I will get it on the rifle and I will see what it will do.

Kurt