Is this feasible? Adding a caliber to my Stevens Favorite

[BillinNH]

I have a model 1915 Stevens Favorite in 22LR and its downward compatible calibers. The gun is a single shot falling block lever action takedown gun. I know that these came in more than one caliber, can't think which right off hand, but the.22 was the most common.

I was wondering if I could get an extra .22 barrel somewhere, get a chamber reamer and make a .22WMR chamber in it, pop it on the receiver and shoot it. There would be no issues of magazine compatibility or feeding since it is a single shot. I know that there were interchangeable barrels. I think the .22lr bore is close enough to the .22WMR to be usable. After all, there are several .22 rimfire revolvers that allow you to simply switch cylinders to change caliber.

Is there any chance of the receiver not being able to hold up to the larger cartridge? I'm inclined to doubt it. Is the rate of twist suitable for .22WMR? I would think so, for plinking purposes. Is there any other area of compatibiliy that I haven't thought of?

When I got the Stevens it was a friend's family heirloom and he gave it to me because he knew I would give it a good home, so I won't Bubba his part of the gun. He had the barrel so clogged he could only chamber shorts in it. I got a finishing barrel reamer from Brownells which solved the problem easily. I guess I would have to get a rough and a finish reamer for this job. Probably close to $100. Should I just go buy myself a used single shot 22WMR somewhere

Well, give me your opinions before I go out and do something stupid.

Thanks.

Bill

 

[Jim Watson]

Frank DeHaas said the Favorite is not strong enough for .22 WMR. Pressure would be too high in a rechambered .22 lr barrel and even in a correct barrel would loosen the action with continued shooting.

 

[BillinNH]

Thanks, Jim, for the caveat. Keeps me from making a mistake.

So I guess I'm in the market for a lightweight 22mag rifle either a single shot or a repeater( pump or lever). I have a very nicely made Marlin 922M 22WMR that I bought because it was styled just like my Camp Carbines but in practice I think the design is a mismatch to the round. It is an autoloader but only has five round magazines available for it and it is a little heavier than I think the caliber needs. I'd like something like the old Winchester 62 pump. I think Taurus has something like that, anybody have any experience with it?

Thanks again.

Bill