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.



[img]https://i.imgur.com/4jqoEXih.jpg?1[/img]

Those look cool.

Wow, that is really nice. Its in amazing condition for its age. Congrats on achieving a 20 year quest!

That’s beautiful, what a find. Will be a lot of fun at the range impressing the young ones. Green with envy here.

Sweeeeet! Congratulations on your new rifle! memtb

Very nice and congratulations on your new acquisition.

U wanna be this guy ?

That is sweet! Are you sure you ain't the flyer?

Well, sometimes I am.

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.

Very nice! gnoahhh has one as well that I’ve shot. Truly a classic.

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.

That is nice. Looks more 19th century than 20th. Enjoy!

Good looking gun for it's age. Well done sir!

Very cool rifle! Congratulations!

Bitchin!

There’s always been a spot in my heart for those old Stevens target rifles. I’ve not yet owned one.

Congratulations for obtaining a piece of American history when Americans took great pride in whatever they produced!!!

Should work for sniping small game real good.

Nice. That should be a load of fun

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.

The 8mm shot like crap all over when I 1st got it.

Read the copper on the lands.
7 and 11 lands worn down about 3/8" into bore.
Probably someone righthanded cleaning from the bore across their lap.

Cut off 5/8"
Went at it
Also rounded over the outside of barrel with jewelers files.
Made a thread about 4 yrs ago with " pics or it never happened".
Rifle shoots accurate now.
Did slumlords custom Swede 6.5x55 after a " gunsmith" did his lob off and crown abortion work...🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️🥴🥴
Got that rifle shooting tight also.

Both mausers copper can be read to end of lands now and make a star powder residue sign on the face of the muzzle that is nice and even 360.

bet that is a lot of fun to shoot, congrats on a nice rifle

what a fantastic score! Sounds like it's going to be quite a shooter.

Thanks for all your kind words, fellers, much appreciated . The old timer is going to get lots of range time.

Might try switching ammo,everybodys got their fav,nice rifle ,good luck.