???

I have a Stevens 200, and a AB 250 Savage barrel. I also have 'go' and 'nogo' 250 savage gauges from Brownells, and a nut-wrench.

I closed the bolt on the go gauge, screwed the barrel down snug, tightened the nut, and 'voila!' I could not get the bolt to quite close on a no-go gauge. I went to the range and inspected my first fired case - the head did not quite separate, but it is darn close (I can see daylight through it).

When I got home I tested both gauges again (in case it had loosened up) - same result. The go gauge will close, the no-go gauge will not.

I went back and read the faqs, and the only step I think I missed was removal of the firing pin(?) - I skipped this one b/c my go and no-go gauges have recesses where the firing pin would fall, if the gun were to fire.

Is disassembly of the bolt essential for this step, or is there something else going on?

All suggestions and feedback is appreciated.

Nate