One thing to look out for on the Apex is the pivot pin for the barrel. They can get loose and affect the accuracy, so keep your eye on it.

If it should happen, you can buy oversize pins.

The Apex is the best CVA has in my opinion. Here is mine with the 45-70 govt threaded for a savage breechplug making it a muzzleloader.

Those Apex 45/70 conversions are really sweet even if you don't want to use smokeless. BH209 works just fine with the Savage breach plug and the 1-20 twist gives you tons of sabotless projectile options.

Check over on md's site Carlos has barrels for sale. Not sure if he has rifle or just muzzle. But he can sure get whatever you need.

I think you will like your Apex. Mine seems to be a shooter and I really enjoy it.

Three shot group at 100 yards, one out of clover leaf was after scope adjustment.

Never heard of this before! What is the advantage of doing this?

I can shoot smokeless powder out of it along with BH209 or any of the other subs and the 1:20" twist rate. I don't shoot anything but smokeless though but you can shoot the other powders just fine.

The barrel and slufoot conversion is about $350ish. Around $200 for the Bergara 45/70 barrel and $130 for parts and labor.

Same projectile selection as a sabotted 50cal and big .451 conicals that wont stabilize in the common 1-28 twist. Plus barrel heat has far less effect on sabotless and they are often easier to load than sabots if you get the sizing right. They shoot sabots quite well also.

Smokeless also opens up way more powder options and the ability to hunt on a fouled bore without the worry of corrosion.