Stevens Single Shot Tip Up Rifle in .22RF Caliber

[Two Flints]

Hello the Powder Room,

I have been eyeing a very nice Stevens Single Shot Tip Up Rifle in .22RF, as a possible purchase.  The Stevens is in great shape and the price within my range. But before I pursue this Stevens with $$$$ I would like to know if there is ammo for it available, what ammo will work in it, or will I have to try to figure out how to reload for it.

Any comments or suggestions would be appreciated.

Two Flints

[Delmonico]

Do you know which 22RF it is? 

[Two Flints]

Hi Delmonico,

Does "LR" help you?  Really not sure about ammo for this rifle.

Two Flints

[Delmonico]

LR should be Long Rifle, the common round today, that was developed by Stevens as a 200 yard target round. 

Do you have the model of the rifle, is it called a Crackshot?

[Two Flints]

Delmonico,

Doesn't seem to have a specific model # - just referred to as a Single Shot Stevens tip up Rifle, although it comes in other calibers.  It is a pre-1890 rifle.

Two Flints

[Delmonico]

Delmonico,

Doesn't seem to have a specific model # - just referred to as a Single Shot Stevens tip up Rifle, although it comes in other calibers.  It is a pre-1890 rifle.

Two Flints

Do you have a picture?  If it's what I think it is in came in 22 LR 25 RF and 32 RF. 

[Two Flints]

Yup, does this work for you?

[Delmonico]

Yep and it don't look like Gillie Miller's Crackshot I used to shoot as a kid.  (Uncle's Dad.)  Let me do some digging later.

[JimBob]

The Steven's Tip-Up was made circa 1870 till about 1900,it was Steven's first offering.If the barrel is marked J.Stevens Arms Co it was made prior to 1886.Rifles made after 1886 will be marked Steven's Arms and Tool Co.The 1898 catalog lists them as being chambered for the .22 Long Rifle Rim Fire,.25 Rim Fire,and .32 Long Rim Fire.From the picture that rifle appears to be the one listed as the "Open Sight Rifle".

They were not a particularly cheap rifle at the time being priced at $17.00,about the same as a Steven's Model 44.

If you're thinking about shooting it if you determine it's safe to do so,stick with standard velocity loads.

[Delmonico]

Well JimBob beat me to it.  I think some of the later ones were chambered to LR after Stevens introduced the round, 1887 sticks in my head.

[Two Flints]

Jim Bob and Delmonico,

Thanks so much for the information . . . I will try to move forward with this purchase, if I'm not too late!

Two Flints

[Delmonico]

Jim Bob and Delmonico,

Thanks so much for the information . . . I will try to move forward with this purchase, if I'm not too late!

Two Flints

I'd say at worst you would be limited to short and long ammo.