Can anyone tell me how strong the Stevens 44 action is? I know it was commonly chambered in .22,.25, and .32 rimfire and also 25-20 Single Shot. Will it take the pressure of .25 WCF or .32 WCF? Does anyone want to hazard(!) a guess about chambering one for .32 H&R? Thanks.
The Lyman reloading manuals have a list of weak and strong actions on the .44-40 page, and the Stevens 44 is on the weak list. Recommended maxinum pressure is 13,700 CUP.
Don't think a 44 action would know the difference between 13K CUP from a rim fire or from a centerfire, but the .32HRM is a bit above that, and many listed loadings for the 32-20 are as well.
IF you were to load them with BP or smokeless loads below that pressure limit, they'd work...but it kind of invites problems.
Know one that is shooting as a .25 Hornet (.22 hornet case blown out to nearly straight) but the owner used BP loads only (the reasong being his .25RF barrel was in fine shape).
Hate to tell you this fellas, but the Stevens 44 was not only chambered for both the .25-20 WCF and the .32-20 WCF, but also the .44-40! I own Stevens 44's chambered for all three of these cartridges, and they are factory originals!
This is my .32-20 Stevens 44:
Yes they were...and with BP or smokelss loads to that pressure level they work fine, even the 44/40 version...and will even digest a good number of the hihger poressure loads before beating thimeselves silly. Have heard that the later ones (those after 1903) are a bit tougher, but haven't been able to proove it...the people wh own them belive that to be true (as does the owner of that 25 Hornet conversion).
I do not think they blow up...do think that they are over stressed with loads listed in many current manuals and will loosen up if run at the pressures many want to use.
It's not that they can't take 32-20 or 25-20 current factroy smokless loads, they will...but not many of the loadings i see bounced around as being "safe".
I've converted and rechambered little #4 Rolling Block .32RF's to .32SWL. So long as the powder is black or the smokless loads are those listed as safe for the weaker handguns, they seem to last. Won't convert the even smaller #6 action.
Yes they were...and with BP or smokelss loads to that pressure level they work fine, even the 44/40 version...and will even digest a good number of the hihger poressure loads before beating thimeselves silly. Have heard that the later ones (those after 1903) are a bit tougher, but haven't been able to proove it...the people wh own them belive that to be true (as does the owner of that 25 Hornet conversion).
I do not think they blow up...do think that they are over stressed with loads listed in many current manuals and will loosen up if run at the pressures many want to use.
It's not that they can't take 32-20 or 25-20 current factroy smokless loads, they will...but not many of the loadings i see bounced around as being "safe".
I've converted and rechambered little #4 Rolling Block .32RF's to .32SWL. So long as the powder is black or the smokless loads are those listed as safe for the weaker handguns, they seem to last. Won't convert the even smaller #6 action.
What happens with the Stevens 44's when overloaded a bit, is they wear out the pins, and require replacement pins. Eventually, if you continue to overload them, they wear out the holes that the pins fit into, and then it's major work to bush the holes, or make larger pins. If kept with reasonable loads, the original pins will last forever, as is the case in my .44-40, which is still tight, and all original. I've seen some .25-20's that were sloppy, but new pins brought them right back to 100% tight.
They were also chambered in 32/40 and 38/55 ! If you use BP pressures only in your loading you will be OK ! They are weak actions ,which are called rocking block actions ! There isn't any support behind the breach block as in other single shot actions ! JAGG
Thanks for all the info. The .32 S&W Long would work for me. Just trying to avoid delicate case necks(.25 and .32 WCFs). I would like a reasonable shooter for quiet cast loads. The interest in the .32s is to take advantage of .30 cal take-off barrel deals I run into. I know, sounds like a lot of trouble. I know guys with Glock 9mms that shoot as many rounds as I do but don't have a clue about moulds, lube, paper patches, black powder, walnut, ivory, gunLEATHER, etc. Y'all know, real fun!
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