I have a Stevens 44 1/2 action that’s about 80% complete that I’ve been thinking about building up into a 22 LR “match” rifle.  Per a current post on the sale/trade forum this may not be an easy task.  However, for starters, the action needs a breach block so that would be covered by CPA.  But any other advice on other parts (primarily the barrel) and/or assembly of the project would be much appreciated.  Thanks  much in advance.

I would seriously consider a 12 o' clock firing pin strike.  Thinking I would Thread the Barrel "Tight" and forget about a Takedown.  I'll assume you're going to Square Up the Shoulders in the Frame so the Breach Block is not canted even though the face may be true to the Bore.  Little things add up and will make a difference.  Good luck 👍. David

Thanks guys.  Seems to me the last time I looked at CPA they offered breach blocks for the 44 1/2.  So maybe the CPA being larger on the outside is dimensionally the same on the inside.  Frankly I never really thought about it that much.

Just checked and yeah CPA catalogs breach blocks for both actions.

So the CPA action has thicker sidewalls? I knew the tangs fit Stevens frames. 
Well that's handy.

Sure shot wrote on Apr 2^nd, 2023 at 6:56am:


That’s interesting and makes sense.  However I’m hoping, so to speak, that the crap will be taken out of the shoot since I’ll be building up a rifle with a new barrel and breach block.

The competitive smallbore prone shooters here have been lauding the Shilen ratchet barrels. I had CPA put one on my 44 1/2 and the barrel work was exceptional. However, the 44 1/2 extractor is not the best for accuracy with the way it moves and does not support the case wall (Others here have discussed it in the past). So the most careful and perfect chambering and squaring will be overcome by the extractor shortcomings.

Charles

I've spent a lot of time (and money) on competitive rimfire benchrest rifles over the years.  I'd like to offer you some good advice but, the sad fact is that some rifles shoot well and some don't.  This is exacerbated by the fact that not all barrels of a given manufacturer and style are created equal. I've had $700.00 Shilen Ratchet barrels (barrel cost plus gunsmithing) that were dogs right out of the box.

I can speak to ammo.  Attached is an ASSRA 100 yard target shot with a Martini MkIII with a well used Hart Barrel.  Each individual bull was shot with a different lot of Eley Tenex or Eley Match ammo. 

Good luck.

JackHughs