Making the probe for the .22 BRK Ghost LW blank

While Im waiting on a 304 stainless rod to arrive, I roughed out a trial probe in aluminum.
Im experimenting a bit with the probe length. The factory BRK Ghost .30 probe didnt seat the pellet fully into the rifling.
To test, I loaded the pellet using the barrel/probe installed in the gun. After chambering the pellet, I removed the barrel and pushed it back out from the muzzle end with a nylon rod.
The pellet head had rifling marks, but the skirt was clean.

I measured that the probe length can be increased by .035" without interfering with magazine removal when in the retracted position.
This probe will be .035 longer than factory.
The picture below shows the factory .30 probe on top and the roughed out .22 on the bottom.

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I spun the rod with a tailstock "live center" to support the work and prevent deflection & chatter.
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The thinner portion of the probe is a bit tricky to hold. I didnt want to risk that much "stick out" so I machined up a tight fitting sleeve which I then split on the band saw.
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After bringing the probe to dimension and drilling the transfer port relief, I moved over to the mill to add the screw hole and open up the transfer port.
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The factory probe had an allen cap screw in the back to aid in hold alignment during installation. I machined mine to take a 5mm grub screw.

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The finished probe turned out pretty good. It has a nice "light drag" when inserted into the barrel o-ring.
Perhaps a good thing I did this in aluminum first. When bottoming out in the barrel leade, I realized the OD of the probe was making contact with the rifling at full depth.
I dont think this will work to increase the pellet seating depth. I realize now that a pin style probe will be the ticket. I'll make one up next weekend after the 304 stainless comes in.
Im out of time for this weekend, but I'll load the new barrel and probe up into the Ghost this week and post some pictures of the finished product + some 100y targets.
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