As it turns out, my guess of 2 ohms is a bit off. The real resistance is 0.2 ohms. Also, even if it was 2 ohms, 22 amps just isn't right. My current flow meter shows that only 4 amps is flowing, even at higher voltages. If 22 amps was actually being drawn, my variac would've been smoldering. Even stranger, I was able to push an NTE2377 MOSFET to 50 volts before it overheated (In a NON-explosive fashion). The NTE2377 has a Id of 8 amps, and a Vds of 900 volts, so for me the logical conclusion is that my problem lies within the voltage, not the current draw. Can you tell me more about this parasitic BJT?
Also, ronsimpson, would a tuning capacitor be a blue, ceramic looking cap? Or a tall, yellow, slighly transperent one?