Stevens Favorite No 17 - 25 Rimfire

woodchopper

woodchopper

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so picked up a new project

Have not really decided where it is going to end up, making it into a 22 RF would require moving the firing pin and if I'm doing that then I'm going center fire but then the action is too weak to chamber anything like 22 Hornet.

Barrel seems to be in fair condition

But the supply of 25 rimfire ammo is going to be an issue.
 
Have you thought of going 25 acp. I have a favourite that was 32 RF which I changed over to 32 Colt. Only had to change the firing pin. I am thinking of getting a 25 and and going the 25 acp route. My 32 is a fun little gun to shoot. I use a 90 gr cast with black or Bullseye. If they where stronger I would love to have one in 22 Hornet or 221 Fireball, but I guess that’s probably the reason I bought the Contenders for.
Not many calibers available that fit the favourite and stay within its pressure limits.
 
this is one of the older stevens, pre 1915 and there are reports that they don't handle 22 LR High Velocity well.

I am leaning towards some sort of 25 cal centerfire conversion, loaded way down to 25RF specs

I still have to check but I've been told that 27 Cal Hilti blanks are just the right size :)
 
22 hornet factory loads...likely not.

Lyman cast bullet handbook -

22 hornet 37 gr #2 lead bullet - 2.0 gr red dot 1210 fps
22 hornet 41 gr #2 lead bullet - 2.0 gr red dot 1095 fps
22 hornet 45 gr #2 lead bullet - 2.0 gr red dot 1060 fps

Compare those numbers w/ 25 Stevens RF and .22LR.
 
I have converted a 1915 favourite to 22LR by installing a barrel liner. The firing pin did not have to be moved and just enough to hit the edge of the case and get the job done. The biggest issue was the extractor. I had to heat it red hot and pound the middle section to stretch the length of it longer. Works perfect now.
I als did a 25 Stevens long conversion on a Remington rolling block #4 to 25-10 Halstead. Just take 22 hornet cases and use 25ACP sizing die and get it 3/4 of the way down. After that I chuck it in the lathe and cut it straight. Then anneal the end and size the 22 opening up to 25. Trim to same length as 22 Stevens and load with trailboss or bullseye.
It’s a lot of work but shoots a 65 grain projectile at 1050fps with bullseye and 925fps with trailboss.
32rimfire conversions by comparison are way easier to rechamber to 32 S&W short and long.
 
woodchopper said:
this is one of the older stevens, pre 1915 and there are reports that they don't handle 22 LR High Velocity well.

I am leaning towards some sort of 25 cal centerfire conversion, loaded way down to 25RF specs

I still have to check but I've been told that 27 Cal Hilti blanks are just the right size :)
Click to expand...

Maybe you could upsize the pins. Always more that can be done.

Lyman Cast Bullet Handbook has 25-20 down to 68gr @ 1320 fps. I think that's quite a bit faster than similar load in 25 Stevens RF.
 
mac100 said:
I have converted a 1915 favourite to 22LR by installing a barrel liner. The firing pin did not have to be moved and just enough to hit the edge of the case and get the job done. The biggest issue was the extractor. I had to heat it red hot and pound the middle section to stretch the length of it longer. Works perfect now.
I als did a 25 Stevens long conversion on a Remington rolling block #4 to 25-10 Halstead. Just take 22 hornet cases and use 25ACP sizing die and get it 3/4 of the way down. After that I chuck it in the lathe and cut it straight. Then anneal the end and size the 22 opening up to 25. Trim to same length as 22 Stevens and load with trailboss or bullseye.
It’s a lot of work but shoots a 65 grain projectile at 1050fps with bullseye and 925fps with trailboss.
32rimfire conversions by comparison are way easier to rechamber to 32 S&W short and long.
Click to expand...

I take it w/ 25-10 Halstead you didn't have to mod the extractor very much if at all...sounds like a great conversion if the bore is in good shape.
 
Most of these 25 and 32 ones are good , because they have not been shot in many years, where as the 22 rf seem to be all terrible, from the few I have had.
 
Rwilco said:
I take it w/ 25-10 Halstead you didn't have to mod the extractor very much if at all...sounds like a great conversion if the bore is in good shape.
Click to expand...

The bore is great but is a PITA conversion. It also shoots 25ACP no problem. That’s the way to go but trying to find a bullet mold for a 251 size bullet is hard to find.
 
I have a Stevens "crackshot" in 32 Rim Fire. I bought a liner from Brownell's and so far, it is just collecting dust. I also have a Stevens MK 12 Marksman "tip up" in 25 that will eventually get the firing pin relocated to accommodate the modified 22 Hornet brass.

Some day I'm going to write a book on procrastination.........
 
.25-10 Halstead is super easy to make using .25 ACP dies and trimmed .22 Hornet brass. "Shouldn't" need ejector mods; a lathe of some sort is ideal but you could get by with a drill press I'm sure, I did this a couple years ago and wrote it up here - and it's still a ton of fun to shoot:

https://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/showthread.php/2082837-1915-Favorite-25-Stevens-Shooting-Again

.25 ACP Rim is a little thinner might find that you need a spacer of some sort for reliable firing, there's a lot of variability in these.

Slug your bore as many of these are much fatter than .251. I made the mistake of buying .251" mold and ended up sourcing a .259" mold. YMMV
 
NorthCoastBigBore said:
.25-10 Halstead is super easy to make using .25 ACP dies and trimmed .22 Hornet brass. "Shouldn't" need ejector mods; a lathe of some sort is ideal but you could get by with a drill press I'm sure, I did this a couple years ago and wrote it up here - and it's still a ton of fun to shoot:

https://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/showthread.php/2082837-1915-Favorite-25-Stevens-Shooting-Again

.25 ACP Rim is a little thinner might find that you need a spacer of some sort for reliable firing, there's a lot of variability in these.

Slug your bore as many of these are much fatter than .251. I made the mistake of buying .251" mold and ended up sourcing a .259" mold. YMMV
Click to expand...

thanks that is all excellent info.
 
Ok just as a bit of an update

I found the box of 27cal hilti blanks and they fit just fine

the are a little smaller then the 25RF about 0.010" but they do chamber fire and the extractor works.

now I need to look for some 25 cal pellets :)
 
Hey Woodchopper

The old Favorites are great to shoot , the old ammunition is expencive and hard to find.
I have a few Favs, in both .25 Stevens & .32 rf that I do shoot
just for grins & fun but in no way do I go shooting groups , 10 - 15 rounds
are quite enough out of the old single shots.

I have my Annies & Cooper for groups and long range.

Why not keep your gun original find a box of vintage ammo.
spring for the $200 and just plink a couple rounds every now & then.

I am a bit of a purest thats what I do , it is nice
to keep the old guns original.
 
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