Bought this old jewel a couple of weeks ago from a friend at the range. Have been wanting one for about 20 years or so but the opportunity did not arise until now.
This is a Stevens Model 417 Walnut Hill .22 target rifle. Heavy barrel 28" , weighs about 10 1/2 pounds. All original, Lyman 48L rear sight and 17A front. Original scope blocks and sling swivels. Shows the years in a few ways but action is nice and tight, ejector very snappy, really nice crisp trigger at about 2 lbs. Wood and steel on this rifle are about 90% or better average condition, metal has some flecks or little pits in places from long ago dampness. Metal retains almost all of the original blue and case hardening, wood is mostly free of any sort of battle scars. Bore is nlce and shiney. Rifle was built some where in the 1930's . serial number is 20xx.
Took it to the range after a thorough cleaning and lubing. With SK Standard+ it would hold the 10 ring in the A23 50 yard target, but would throw a flyer out in the 9 ring every so often. I suspect I might have to recrown the barrel.
I am happy with my new toy and wanted to share with my friends here on the board.
Sweeeeet! Congratulations on your new rifle! memtb
You should not use a rifle that will kill an animal when everything goes right; you should use one that will do the job when everything goes wrong." -Bob Hagel
“I’d like to be a good rifleman…..but, I prefer to be a good hunter”! memtb 2024
Very nice and congratulations on your new acquisition.
l told my pap and mam I was going to be a mountain man; acted like they was gut-shot. Make your life go here. Here's where the peoples is. Mother Gue, I says, the Rocky Mountains is the marrow of the world, and by God, I was right. - Del Gue
In this instance, I called several tens that were nines, also one eight, scattered in all different directions, most probable cause of this is usually the crown.
Outstanding rifles, and this one is a dandy. Congratulations on scoring a kind of rare bird. Unfortunately they were intro'ed when the Model 52 was absolutely dominating smallbore position shooting and didn't stand much of a chance, but a fair number of guys swore by them regardless.
I wanted one since I saw a pic of one when I was a kid. Finally had the chance last year.
Rather nicer than mine, for sure. Mine has the optional closed loop lever, and is missing the iron sights, but I use either a Fecker 12x or a 20x Lyman Targetspot on it anyway. (They came with several sight options, and some with no sights at all.) It too wanted to throw fliers out of otherwise tight groups. Then I tried Eley Tenex and the fliers went away. Now it'll reliably keep them in the 3/4" 25-ring of the ASSRA 100 yard smallbore target. My serial number is 17xx.
"You can lead a man to logic, but you cannot make him think." Joe Harz "Always certain, often right." Keith McCafferty
The desert is a true treasure for him who seeks refuge from men and the evil of men. In it is contentment In it is death and all you seek (Quoted from "The Bleeding of the Stone" Ibrahim Al-Koni)
In this instance, I called several tens that were nines, also one eight, scattered in all different directions, most probable cause of this is usually the crown.
Easy to do.
Hit it with a light solvent or even just a patch with oil. Read the lands and grooves for lead to the muzzle and any Burns with a flashlight.
Not on some x amount deep. Give you a idea how much to cut off. Stuff a patch or 2 to just below the cut line before. Use a hose clamp with tape under it for your cutting guide line. 30 TPI hack saw blade Square up the cut with jewelers files and magic marker to show low spots, stop once last low spot ain't showing magic marker any more.
Chuck a brass round head screw into a drill. Go large to small.
Buy some valve grinding compound. And make the crown recessed. It will perfectly center it's own self.
Easy DIY job. Cost ya less than 20 bucks and about 2 hrs.