Relining or sleeving my old Stevens.

[13Bravo]

I am wanting to restore 2 Stevens single shots that I have. One is a model 44 whose barrel is key holing .22lr. This poor barrel is just too pitted to even spin it's projectile. It's heavy barrel is gorgeous on the outside, but not so inside. My other is a Stevens Favorite with the octagon barrel, but is chambered for .25 rf. I'm hoping to reline their barrels for another 100 years of fun and hand them down to family.

I'm hoping someone here has a recommendation or two for a reputable company who does this. I've looked online and found a few. I just wanted to ask THR also.

Jon.

 

[dogrunner]

Call tech. support at Brownell's..............good guys, they ought to be able to give you a reliable reference.

 

[john323]

http://redmansrifling.com/ They do a great job.

 

[Saleen322]

I had a Stevens Crackshot done locally, (Dubois) in the past year. Did a great job and it was about $100 total as I recall and done in a week.

 

[Jim K]

Lining a barrel is not beyond the capability of a careful DIY worker. I have seen a couple done by the owners that worked out fine. Brownells has the reamers and the liners. For .25, you would have to use a .25-20 barrel liner, but .25 RF ammo is nearly impossible to get, so I suggest going to .22 for that rifle also.

Jim

 

[rcmodel]

+1

But, liners, extended & piloted bore drills, cutting oil, chamber reamers, headspace gages, degreasing solvent, and bonding epoxy is going to cost more then having two barrels relined by Redmond's or somebody.

It just isn't economically feasible to buy all the tooling necessary to only do 1 or 2 barrels.
Unless you just want to say you did it all yourself.

BTW: The .25 RF breech block may or may not have a firing pin location suitable for .22 RF, and it may need to be modified.

If you do decide to DIY it?
Here is what you need to know first.
http://www.brownells.com/userdocs/learn/Inst-143 Barrel Liner.pdf

rc

 

[drcook]

These are some of the gunsmiths that are familiar with old single shots. They have a stellar reputation in the single shot crowd and if they are backed up or not in a position to do the work, would refer you to another of their caliber.

However any GOOD gunsmith should be able to install a liner for you.

You also could go over to the ASSRA site and ask who they recommend

http://www.assra.com/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.pl

http://www.johntaylormachine.com/

http://www.angelfire.com/ok5/crossnostocks/

http://www.johnsonsguns.com/

John King (Gunsmith)
King Machine Services, P.O. Box 368, Kila, MT 59920,
Phone: (406) 755-5352
John is a well-known and respected BPCR gunsmith.

Mike Lewis (Gunsmith)
8388 JCR 12W, Walden, CO, 80480, Phone: (970) 723-3383
Mike is a well-known and respected BPCR gunsmith.

 

[toiville2feathers]

just a suggestion, the new 17 Winchester Short Magnum is based on a 25 rimfire case. that would make a great rifle for lots of things

 

[jhop73]

I have a Stevens 44 1/2 that was originally 25rf, my grandfather had it lined and chambered for 22 mag. I am thinking about having it relined to 17HRM. local shop quoted me around $200 for the job.

 

[rcmodel]

the new 17 Winchester Short Magnum is based on a 25 rimfire case.

No, it is actually based on a modern .25 cal Stud Gun case Winchester makes for the construction industry.

And it runs higher pressure (26,000 PSI) then would be safe or sane in a 100+ year old rifle made for a black power rim-fire cartridge.

Don't even consider it.

As for re-lining a re-lined .22 WRM to .17 HRM?
That would be a $200 mistake too.

If it works, don't fix it!

rc

 

[jhop73]

Why would it be a mistake to go from 22 mag to 17hrm? the chamber pressures are the same.

 

[natman]

just a suggestion, the new 17 Winchester Short Magnum is based on a 25 rimfire case. that would make a great rifle for lots of things

A Stevens Favorite is not nearly strong enough for the pressures involved with a 17 WSM. Don't even consider it.

 

[Edarnold]

Just to clear things up regarding caliber safety: the original Stevens Favorite is really only for .22 LR, even a steady diet of High Speed ammunition can loosen it up. The new manufacture Favorite is of course much stronger steel and would be fine for the WRM or the small .17s, but not for the new .17 WinMag
The Stevens 44 is a much larger and stouter action which was made in calibers up to .32-40 and .38-55, based on the actual thrust the .17 WinMag should be perfectly OK, the question is whether a relined barrel would be happy with the pressures involved.
The Stevens 44 1/2 is a different design with locking shoulders like the Winchester High-wall, and was a favorite in the 1930's for building varmint rifles chambering ridiculously hot cartridges like the .219 Donaldson Wasp. The limitation there is the fairly small barrel shank, which limits the case diameter.

 

[natman]

No, it is actually based on a modern .25 cal Stud Gun case Winchester makes for the construction industry.

And it runs higher pressure (26,000 PSI) then would be safe or sane in a 100+ year old rifle made for a black power rim-fire cartridge.

Don't even consider it.

As for re-lining a re-lined .22 WRM to .17 HRM?
That would be a $200 mistake too.

If it works, don't fix it!

rc

Why would it be a mistake to go from 22 mag to 17hrm? the chamber pressures are the same.

I've going to venture a guess that rcmodel is talking about two different types of mistakes. Chambering a Favorite in 17 WSM would be a dangerous mistake. Spending $200 to re-re-line a working gun would merely be a financial mistake.