Steven 45 McGowen PROBLEM.

[cuda]

Well I did this as one of the first conversion of Stevens 200 SA to a 45 muzzle loader. I helped Al with the first bolt heads and I got one of the first ones to use. Well yesterday we went to the range and some shooting and it started shooting all over target. We did get it back on bulls eye after a few rounds. And my son shoots left handed so he is the only one that shoots it he said the bolt felt wrong. So when I got home with the gun I went to clean the bolt. When I hit the bolt release and pulled the bolt out a piece of steel falls out just before the bolt came out. It turned out to be part of the front baffle just behind the bolt head. It is only a $3.00 part but I figured that I would let everyone know what was the first thing that went wrong with it. It will still shoot with it broken but it is already ordered so it will be replaced when I get it. I brought this up just to see if anyone else had any problems ever with a conversion like this. We only shoot 69gr of IMR4198 a lubed wad and a Barnes TEZ 290gr unsized and a Win 209. And we never over loaded it at any time the only other bullet that was used in it was a 275BE. And that still only use the same load and no other loads were ever used. So far this gun has killed a deer every year.

[Deleted]

Thanks for the info, I wouldn't expect a broken baffle to have caused any accuracy issues. I hope it works out better next trip out!

[cuda]

I think the problem was the shooter was pulling it. He kept on thinking some thing was wrong and not just shooting like he should have. And after it was shooting we had it adjusted back to where it was when he started shooting and was all over.

[markb317]

I have done 5 Savage CF conversions and never had a problem with the baffle. I swap the baffle out for one from a 223, this stops the bolthead in the port opening.

[rossman40]

Where did it break at?

Marks right, order you a .223 baffle. It has a leg so it will not let the bolt go back as far.But then again if it is a long action that was chambered for a short action round it already had it.

[rangeball]

I have to admit I read the thread title and though Steve or Carlos must have finally shot a group that was over MOA

[cuda]

It is already ordered not sure how long it will take to get to me though. The baffle broke right even with the baffle spring it looks like the baffle from a long action now. But it was a short action 223 that was converted to 45ML. It is a restricted part so it has to go threw a gunsmith.