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Coomba
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New guy needs help
Nov 3rd, 2014 at 11:43am
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I just purchased a Stevens favorite rifle, 20/25 cal. except for the bore, the rifle is in pretty good condition. I would like to reline the barrel to 22LR, but keep reading conflicting material about this. Some say that a 22 mag. with chamber pressures of 24000 psi will take this rifle apart. I also read that the chamber pressures for the 22lr run about the same the22 mag. 24000 psi.  What's the real skinny?
  
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Chev. William
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Re: New guy needs help
Reply #1 - Nov 4th, 2014 at 8:49pm
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Do you know which "Stevens favorite" it is?  if not, look at "Wisner's Reproduction parts" as they have a page on their website that discusses the differences between the models.

That being Said:
The first model, the 1886 version, is suitable for Black Powder pressures in the calibers it was originally issued in.

The Second model, the 1894, is slightly stronger and can take smokeless .22LR, or .25-10 Halsted (CF) equivalent loadings to the .25 Stevens Long RF cartridge.

The third model, the 1915, is again slightly stronger and was also chambered for the .32 Long RF (similar to .32 Long Colt CF in dimensions) in addition to the .25 Stevens and the .22 Long Rifle RF cartridges.

Pushing the Smokeless loads in any of these much over 1100fps will cause them to "loosen up" due to overstressing the pivot screws and pins, usually bending them before breaking anything UNLESS a overload is fired, bigger cartridges tend to be of the over stressing range and can result in catastrophic failure of the Breech Block or pivots, NOT a Good Thing.

Personal Experience with a 1894 action with soft, unhardened, pivot pins and Screws and a Grade 4 Studsetter Blank using an adapter case and a 63 grain bullet resulted in the pivots all bending and the breech block opening to provide about .080" "headspace", which allowed the blank to move back and 'balloon' out until it failed by venting out the top of the action.  The Bullet did leave the Barrel and proceed down range with enough energy to pierce the paper target at 50 yards.  Luckily, no injuries were sustained and only the pivots needed replacing, this time with properly Heat Treated ones made from 'Grade 8 Bolts', instead of medium steel rod.

Almost all of the Stevens Favorites, of all models, are RF originally with a few being converted to CF use by knowledgeable owners who do not put excessive loads on them, enjoying the rifles with the subsonic loads similar to the originals.

Best Regards,
Chev. William
  
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kensmachine
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Re: New guy needs help
Reply #2 - Nov 5th, 2014 at 1:26am
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I have seen 3 Favorite's in center fire I have the back half of one the 2 others ones where in a rook cal with British proofs Ken
  
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Coomba
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Re: New guy needs help
Reply #3 - Nov 6th, 2014 at 2:32pm
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Chev. Williams

Thanks for the information. It seems to me that it would be a wise decision to beef up the screw as part of the relining job. Would you agree?
« Last Edit: Nov 6th, 2014 at 2:40pm by »  
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Chev. William
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Re: New guy needs help
Reply #4 - Nov 16th, 2014 at 10:31am
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Re: Beef up of the Screw(s);
  If you mean the Barrel retention Screw, I have not seen nor read of that Screw failing, but I have had one Action that the Threads in the Receiver rusted out and it had to be taped for a larger diameter screw thread.
  If you mean the Breech Block Pivot Screw or the Lever Pivot Screw, Then there is some possibilities available but bee very careful as the 1894 Breech Block does no thave much 'margin' around the pivot hole(s) if they are enlarged it would weaken the breech block.  A greater gain in strength is to make pivot screws out of a Alloy Steel suitable for Hardening and Tempering to higher yield strength and making sure the threads do NOT extend into the pivot area of the Breech Block or Lever.   About one thread showing inside the Receiver when the screws are tightened in their holes is sufficient, and could be made less if properly fitted.  I have seen pivot screws with four or more threads showing and heavy wear patterns on the exposed threads where they were in the pivot bearing area.

  As to the Hammer and Trigger Pivot Screws, they need to also be carefully made to limit the exposed threaded portion inside the Receiver when tightened in place.   

  The 1915 Action has slightly larger Breech block and Lever pivot screws and the 'margin' around the pivot holes in the Breech Block are increased over the 1894 action.  I feel they also can benefit from stronger alloy, heat treatment, and limiting of thread exposure inside the action.   

  Stevens later solved this concern in the Model 44 by using a pivot pin and separate retainer screw so the pin could go all the way across the Receiver and 'spigot' in the Side wall bosses without any exposed threads.  I am considering this design to salvage a receiver that has stripped Breech Bolt Pivot Threads. 

Best Regards,
Chev. William
  
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Coomba
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Re: New guy needs help
Reply #5 - Nov 17th, 2014 at 4:25pm
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Chev. William wrote on Nov 16th, 2014 at 10:31am:
Re: Beef up of the Screw(s);
  If you mean the Barrel retention Screw, I have not seen nor read of that Screw failing, but I have had one Action that the Threads in the Receiver rusted out and it had to be taped for a larger diameter screw thread.
  If you mean the Breech Block Pivot Screw or the Lever Pivot Screw, Then there is some possibilities available but bee very careful as the 1894 Breech Block does no thave much 'margin' around the pivot hole(s) if they are enlarged it would weaken the breech block.  A greater gain in strength is to make pivot screws out of a Alloy Steel suitable for Hardening and Tempering to higher yield strength and making sure the threads do NOT extend into the pivot area of the Breech Block or Lever.   About one thread showing inside the Receiver when the screws are tightened in their holes is sufficient, and could be made less if properly fitted.  I have seen pivot screws with four or more threads showing and heavy wear patterns on the exposed threads where they were in the pivot bearing area.

  As to the Hammer and Trigger Pivot Screws, they need to also be carefully made to limit the exposed threaded portion inside the Receiver when tightened in place.  

  The 1915 Action has slightly larger Breech block and Lever pivot screws and the 'margin' around the pivot holes in the Breech Block are increased over the 1894 action.  I feel they also can benefit from stronger alloy, heat treatment, and limiting of thread exposure inside the action.  

  Stevens later solved this concern in the Model 44 by using a pivot pin and separate retainer screw so the pin could go all the way across the Receiver and 'spigot' in the Side wall bosses without any exposed threads.  I am considering this design to salvage a receiver that has stripped Breech Bolt Pivot Threads. 

Best Regards,
Chev. William


Thanks again, Chev. Williams
  
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