Hi All,

The recent thread about the High Wall “varminter” got me to thinking about an 1885 that I have. This is a low wall that has been stocked in the “Varmint” style and re-barreled in 22 Hornet, when I bought it I was told that the barrel was a very special, very accurate Stevens target barrel. 

I am hoping that someone here can shed some light on the barrel; the barrel is a heavy, straight contour about like the Remington varmint contour, it is 24.5” long and .750” at the muzzle. This barrel has not been contoured from factory as it has nice sharp lettering; the top of the barrel has “STEVENS Savage Arms Corporation MODEL 416” and below the Savage Arms Corporation it has “CHICOPEE FALLS, MASS. USA.” The Savage and Chicopee lines are much smaller than the Stevens and Model letters, both lines fitting between the larger words. On the left side of the barrel there are two lines one has the following: ”STEVENS BARREL” with a circle and X in the center of the circle, the circle is between the STEVENS and BARREL, the second line, directly below, has “CAL .22—LONG RIFLE”.

The barrel is factory drilled and taped for target bases (Lyman or Unertl) and for weaver type bases, on the front of the barrel there is a dove-tail for a front sight.

Can someone tell me anything about this barrel other than what I already know?

Thanks,
Marcos (elalto)

Here's a link to a thread going on today over at RimfireCentral.com on the Savage forum, from a guy who has a Stevens 416.  It would seem to me your barrel should be capable of this kind of accuracy.

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These "converted" guns can be wonderful shooters and are a whole different world as collectables. Ones with period modifications I find fascinating. The also can be bargains. Trying .223 bullets is a good idea. Your barrel is .223, not .224. Pressure could be a problem as well as accuracy. Try the .223 and see how they work.