Stevens Favorite .32rf to .32-20?

[Evil Ed]

Anyone tried this? The falling block action is supposed to be pretty strong and the .32-20 isn't exactly a powerhouse of a round. Reaming the chamber wouldn't remove THAT much metal and they use the same dia slugs.

[Blackfoot]

Then there is the issue of getting the firing pin to hit the center of the cartridge. 

Drifter

[Delmonico]

Don't do it, the frame of it is cast steel and not very strong, rebuilding the block to center fire would not be hard, but I would go no larger that 32 S&W.  In fact I've got a frame and a 0.311 bore barrel I may figure out how to do that with sometime.

[JimBob]

Given you have a rifle with a good bore the easiest CF conversion for those old Favorites is to .32 Colt Long.The cartridge dimensions are the same as the .32 RF Long requiring only converting the breech block to centerfire.But then that's not a real easy to find round anymore either.

As Delmonico pointed out the Favorite action is not strong enough.You would need a Model 44 or 44 1/2 Stevens to handle the cartridge safely.

[Evil Ed]

Cast steel,huh? Somebody had to rain on my parade. Thanks guys,figured it was probably one of those deals that sounded too good to be workable.

[Pettifogger]

It's not found on every gun store ammo shelf, but Winchester still makes .32 Short Colt.

[Professor Marvel]

Given you have a rifle with a good bore the easiest CF conversion for those old Favorites is to .32 Colt Long.The cartridge dimensions are the same as the .32 RF Long requiring only converting the breech block to centerfire.But then that's not a real easy to find round anymore either.

Seeing that the parts are, at least the breechblock are available
http://www.wisnersinc.com/exploded_views/Stevens_Favorite_parts.htm

Perhaps centerfire conversion is not such a difficult matter?  .32 long brass is available (if on backorder)

yhs
prof marvel

[Pettifogger]

Seeing that the parts are, at least the breechblock are available
http://www.wisnersinc.com/exploded_views/Stevens_Favorite_parts.htm

Perhaps centerfire conversion is not such a difficult matter?  .32 long brass is available (if on backorder)

yhs
prof marvel

Where is .32 Long Colt brass available?  I've seen plenty of .32 S&W Long, but I haven't seen .32 Long Colt brass in years.  I could use some for my Marlin 1892.

[Professor Marvel]

Where is .32 Long Colt brass available?  I've seen plenty of .32 S&W Long, but I haven't seen .32 Long Colt brass in years.  I could use some for my Marlin 1892.

Ah My Dear Pettifogger,
I appologise as  my search had brought up  .32 S&W Long and my bifocals failed me  

further, attempting to find a suitable cartridge for reforming is nearly as futile. perhaps the only way to bring these back to life is to rechamber into a hybrid custom case - ie: a common slightly larger case that can be necked down to take a bullet suitable for the bore .

your humble but optically challenged servant
prof marvel

[Evil Ed]

Don't do it, the frame of it is cast steel and not very strong, rebuilding the block to center fire would not be hard, but I would go no larger that 32 S&W.  In fact I've got a frame and a 0.311 bore barrel I may figure out how to do that with sometime.

If you give it a shot yourself (rechamber to any caliber) be sure to post it. I'd like to see what you come up with.

[Evil Ed]

Where is .32 Long Colt brass available?  I've seen plenty of .32 S&W Long, but I haven't seen .32 Long Colt brass in years.  I could use some for my Marlin 1892.

www.rtgammo.com has a 60's vintage box of Western for $75.00. Kinda steep,but it would give 'ya some brass to reload.

[JimBob]

There is or was some .32 LC on GunsAmerica,$60 a box.Best place to find it is at gunshows looking through the odds and ends of ammo people have for sale.It can be found for $10 or $12 a box.But you may only turn up a box or two a year if you go to a lot of gunshows.About everybody quit making the long in the 80s.

[Professor Marvel]

I see out on the interweb ™ where some bold souls are advocating reforming .32 S&W Long into .32 Long Colt, but the combination of having to swage the case head/base and machine the rim makes it seem rather daunting to the "lathe impaired" .

If there were found to be a sufficient market niche, perhaps a fellow with CNC capability might be persuaded to churn out a few thousand such reformed case - or even completely machined cases, much like the now defunct replicas of the Ballard 45-70 Everlast cases.

The Original Ballard Everlast cases were "drawn brass" leaving a much thicker case wall, but if I recall correctly the reproduction that had been offered a few years ago were machined from solid stock.

The questions of course are legion :
- with the current cost/availability of brass stock (as the Yellow Peril ™ continues to devour assorted global resources)  is it possible let alone economically feasilble?
- how much would they cost to make?
- could a fellow manage a modicum of profit?
-  is there sufficient interest out there in .32 Long Colt ?
- is there someone with CNC gear hungry/ interested/ crazy enough to tackle it ?
- what is the airspeed velocity of an unladen swallow?

inquiring minds want to know...

yhs
prof (one more remmie richer) marvel

[Evil Ed]

Did this thread take a wrong turn somewhere? What would ya'll say the limits are strength wise on the larger falling block actions like the model 44 ?

[Delmonico]

Did this thread take a wrong turn somewhere? What would ya'll say the limits are strength wise on the larger falling block actions like the model 44 ?

Depends on make and models and in some cases like the 1885 Winchester, when it was made. 

[JimBob]

Did this thread take a wrong turn somewhere? What would ya'll say the limits are strength wise on the larger falling block actions like the model 44 ?

LOL Kinda got derailed on the cartridge issue didn't it. One issue you can't get around on the Favorite is the barrel isn't threaded into the action.They were strong enough for the original chamberings but that's about it.There is some evidence that the .32 S&W Long is even a little too stout for them pressure wise causing bent pins etc. after a few rounds unless loaded as a BP round.

The 44 is a stronger action but still a BP action pressure wise.A few were made in .32-40 and .38-55 but there were problems with them ,they wouldn't handle the pressures.Once smokeless high velocity loadings came out for the rounds the 44 was chambered for the weakness of the action became exposed.The result was the 44 1/2 action was introduced,better design,stronger action.A 44 would probably handle a .32RF to .32 S&W Long conversion but you would have to stay within factory loading pressures.In the end it's still a BP action when it comes to pressures.

[Professor Marvel]

LOL Kinda got derailed on the cartridge issue didn't it. One issue you can't get around on the Favorite is the barrel isn't threaded into the action.They were strong enough for the original chamberings but that's about it.There is some evidence that the .32 S&W Long is even a little too stout for them pressure wise causing bent pins etc. after a few rounds unless loaded as a BP round.

The 44 is a stronger action but still a BP action pressure wise.A few were made in .32-40 and .38-55 but there were problems with them ,they wouldn't handle the pressures.Once smokeless high velocity loadings came out for the rounds the 44 was chambered for the weakness of the action became exposed.The result was the 44 1/2 action was introduced,better design,stronger action.A 44 would probably handle a .32RF to .32 S&W Long conversion but you would have to stay within factory loading pressures.In the end it's still a BP action when it comes to pressures.

perhaps the best bet for a stevens in 32 might be to reline/rechamber for .22 LR ?

yhs
prof (always willing to tangent a thread) marvel

[Evil Ed]

LOL Kinda got derailed on the cartridge issue didn't it. One issue you can't get around on the Favorite is the barrel isn't threaded into the action.They were strong enough for the original chamberings but that's about it.There is some evidence that the .32 S&W Long is even a little too stout for them pressure wise causing bent pins etc. after a few rounds unless loaded as a BP round.

The 44 is a stronger action but still a BP action pressure wise.A few were made in .32-40 and .38-55 but there were problems with them ,they wouldn't handle the pressures.Once smokeless high velocity loadings came out for the rounds the 44 was chambered for the weakness of the action became exposed.The result was the 44 1/2 action was introduced,better design,stronger action.A 44 would probably handle a .32RF to .32 S&W Long conversion but you would have to stay within factory loading pressures.In the end it's still a BP action when it comes to pressures.

I wasn't aware of the diff between the 44 and 44 1/2. Thanks for the heads up. Either loaded with .38-55 BP loads sounds like more bang for the buck.

[John Taylor]

One of the things that can happen when you get to much pressure on a Stevens. These two blocks are from a 44 that had been in 25-20 and rechambered to 25-35. While the favorite was made in 32 RF it may not be a good idea to go to a center fire 32 even tho it would probably hold up to the 32 S&W. Lining to a 22 is probably the best idea but the firing pin will still need to be moved

[Jamie]

Note the latest "Handloader" issue which has some info on making reloadable rimfire cases from .32 Smith and Wesson cases and RWS 22 blanks.  I have a .32 rimfire with a sewer pipe barrel, and I'm thinking that a liner, chambered to the .32 Smith and Wesson might well be the easiest way to go, making enough cases to load with black powder and with light bullets, might make a real fun gun.  I think I'd want to use .32 long cases, though shooting black might make the .32 H&R case viable.  Maybe.  Just thinking...
Jamie