i have two very good

PCP air rifle at the moment and I'm working on another HPA conversion.

I'm converting a CO2 operated QB78 over to HPA; so far, so good.

I'm in the process of construction and installation of a pellet stabilizer for the barrel. it's brought more challenges, and been more time consuming than i expected, never the less, it's getting done.

probably, the biggest challenges have been my limitations with tooling to get the operations done. i have three metal working lathes (one of which is a 'combination' machine...drill press/mill/lathe) but where they lack is in size and tooling. as an example i haven't an indexing table or a GOOD xy vise; i have to improvise when i need one.

I'm now in the process of deciding how to secure the stabilizer to the barrel. do i use a set screw system? or simply epoxy/locktite the bushings to the barrel?

set screws will permanently mar the barrel with indentation...or...i can mill/drill slots/dimples for the screws to be set into.

since there is no combustion in PCP rifles, there's not the heat factor of the metal of the barrel to worry about and epoxy/locktite and modern glues is very stable, reliable and with strength very nearly like welding when properly applied, maybe that's the best way to go. after all, many of today's firearms incorporate thermoplastics and epoxies that will withstand anything thrown at them.

as an example: once set up, locktite "red" requires 350 ft lbs of torque to break it loose or 350 degrees of heat applied to it to soften it enough to loosen. that's pretty tough stuff by any stretch of the imagination.

I'm considering a combination of the two methods.

i am thinking of drilling a 'dimple' into the barrel for the set screws, AND filling the bushings with locktite "blue" through the set screw holes, installing the set screws and letting all set up.

anyway...aligning and drilling the dimples into a barrel is 'touch and go' without a good center indicator, so...i guess it's back to the drawing boards...sure makes things interesting...