Help w/ 1377 steel breech install

[storsy]

Try loosening the screw that holds the barrel to the breech, give the barrel a gentle tap or two (with rubber handle of a hammer) to make certain the barrel is fully in.
I had a similar thing happen, was getting nicks on pellets edge, this cured it.

[JEBert]

lburgguy,
As for the pellet loading problem,  All of my factory Crosman barrels have benefited from me polishing the leade and the pellets almost fall into them.  If I don't point them somewhat downwards, one might get caught on the breech screw every once in a while and I plan to melt some blue or black crayon into them only haven't done that yet.
As for your accuracy, make sure there is no paint or anything else inside the barrel and have a look at your crown.  I re-crowned 2 of mine and they shoot much better.  Third one never needed re-crowning.
As always, your mileage may vary.
Cheers,