it is much too powerful and results in piston slam. took it out today and looked at the new maccari apex seal. on the front of the seaL ther is a little mark where it has contacted the front of the compression tube. the mark is made by the air transfer port. i did shoot some 7.7 grain pellts in it as well. that long transfer port does not create enough compression to cushion the blow. almost like dry firing the gun. i put the light spring back. the seal is ok but i could have damaged the gun if i had kept shooting it that way.
At least it seems that you are almost done with the front-sight piece. I am sure you must be very satisified.
Do use the vertical white line thing, before scoping the gun; for one, it works; and for the other, the peep sight is so much lighter and faster in the woods than a scope!
And I am happy that the Forum has kept that old post alive! ROFL!
You should also check the overall sealing of the gun. The 46's have a tendency to throw away the breech seals or the breechblocks will need now and then a few 0.001"'s shimming for the best sealing on BOTH ends.
It is a somewhat complicated arrangement and yes, the future of the Stutzen would be better served by changeing the basic platform from the 46 to the 460.
Anyway, as the saying goes: It's not the destination, but the journey what counts!
Congrats on persevering to this point; and on a fine piece of a shooting stick!