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ZZZZZZZZZZZZZ

Sure wish I knew someone that had a new rifle or two to tell us about....

I'm trying to sort out a tang sight for a Sevens, if that helps

It was supposed to be for a Stevens 44 "and similar rifles", but it detents at the wrong angle for a Favorite. I will make a new spring for it, to move the detent point.

What brand of sight? some sights like the Red River, you can adjust the angle of the staff. Others, you can sometime loosen the spring and move it. Still others all you need to do is file the detent to give proper angle

unknown maker, no markings on it; quality seems okay, though. Seems like a mid-range sight, with elevation and a small amount of windage adjustment. The spring is held in place by tension, in a recess. No big deal for me to make a new spring, so I'll try that first instead of filing the detent notch, just in case it really does fit a 44.

I would...but you wouldn't want to hear about it!!

Wesson & Harrington 35-55 (a handi-rifle with a longer barrel and classic cartridge), not quite a classic. Chamber too tight for a groove size bullet, so shooting a .377 sized 235gr Ranchdog bullet. Either need to ream chamber or ?(I hear the old time paper patch chambers were tight, may have excuse to buy another bullet mould).

that's all I have to offer

First, welcome to the 'Fire!

I am curious about the cartridge. Straight-wall or bottle-neck? I know the .38-55, but not the .35.55. I wonder if your rifle was set up to breech load the bullet, ala Schuetzen rifles, or really use a smaller diameter bullet?

Ed

What would be a good caliber to change a 25 RF Stevens 44 1/2 to? Between bore and ammo issues this old falling block needs a new lease on its shooting life. 22 mag is the current favorite, but the firing pin and ejector positions do not look promising. I think a 32 H&R or some such would be neat, just have to figure how to move the firing pin strike up a bit.

The gun is a solid piece, both mechanically and finish wise(50%) or better.

I'd shoot a PM to crossfireoops...if it can be done, he can do it (probably already has ) and can help out with the details.

You certainly have my attention! I love the old Stevens rifles.

Ed

The .32-40 was very popular in the 44 1/2. One could certainly load mild loads with it, or load up warmer, as well, for deer.

I am going to reline the barrel, thats a given. I want to keep it in a small economical, factory type cartridge. I am going on the send for a centerfire breech block, if I find it, that will have a bearing on the final caliber decision.
I'm relining a M92 in 32-20, thats what got the 32H&R idea started. the liners are available and reasonable, and I have the tooling. Still in the thinking stage...

"probably already has",....

Thanks, Ed, .....yes, I have indeed, and it's probably worth quoting Frank DeHaas re: "Single Shot Gunsmithing", cause it's every bit of that. You screw something up, there's no 'ordering a new part' .

Long as it's a reasonably sound piece, there's no reason NOT to make a good center fire out of an existing rimfire action.

These pics were handy, while not 44 1/2s,(Win Low walls) they'll kinda iterate the evolution.In this particular case one had been a CF, the other a 32 RF,.....both got converted to .22RF,......but most all the same principals apply, either direction one's headed. Another nice thing about this sorta' conversion is that one can SUBSTANTIALLY increase his action's "safety margin". As an example, the conversions pictured below were fitted out as modified Niedner Mann safety firing pin set ups.





Picture immediately below, a precision built "center finder". I think the one I've got for Stevens is spooled up out of the shank of a take off barrel.

There's a SLICK way to properly cut the 6:00 Extractor cut in A Stevens re-barrel / re-line, using your lathe's tool post, and a Woodruff Key Cutter. In point of fact it's the ONLY way to get that cut 100% RIGHT.

Lemme know when you hit that stage, would be glad to outline the stunt for ya.

Wisner's has fresh, raw, oversized extractor blanks. I recommend milling in a recess and blanking off your old extractor cut BEFORE boring and reaming for your new liner,.....this will leave a "Clean Slate" to machine the new extractor cut into, versus having a sloppy wide space below the new liner.

Luck, amigo !

GTC

Typo, 38-55.

Thought it might be, but I never know since there's things out there I haven't seen yet!

Ed

ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ is the sound of large caliber subsonic lead. Last thing some critters hear I suspect.

And thus my vote for the "perfect bullet" as mentioned in another thread, 500gr., .458 cal cast bullet.

Ed

Yeh and the snap of those things going thru the target is impressive or even more impressive is when a shot comes in just at the right spot to go thru the 2x4 target frame. Even coming from the 1000 yd line it'll throw slivers all over the place.