I received a Favorite through a trade that was in pretty decent condition overall. The barrel was chambered for 32 Shot Rimfire and is pretty much a sewer pipe. I saved all of the original parts, made a new centerfire breech block, rebarrel it with a barrel that was collecting dust which I chambered for 32 S&W (Short). I'm nearly done with the rifle but am having so much fun with it I had to show someone what a cute little rifle it is. Here it is:
Edd
Charter member Michigan liars club!
"The strongest reason for the people to retain the right to keep and bear arms is, as a last resort, to protect themselves against tyranny in Government." -- Thomas Jefferson
"Consider the clown(s) just one of God's little nettles in the woods, don't let it detract from the beauty. Sooner or latter you are going to run into the nettles regardless of how careful you are."
Beware of man who types much, but says nothing.
Lovely! How much does it weigh? What sort of groups do you get at "BWD?" ( 50-foot to 25 yard Bunny Wabbit Distance).
I have been wanting to do the same thing to one I have but just have not gotten to it. Who did the breech block for you?
It weighs a whopping 3.59#. I haven't shot it for group yet, but I plan to in the next few days as spring is trying very hard to give us some warmer days in the near future. I can tell you I am having no problem hitting a soda can at 50 yards though.Originally Posted by Outpost75
Edd
Charter member Michigan liars club!
"The strongest reason for the people to retain the right to keep and bear arms is, as a last resort, to protect themselves against tyranny in Government." -- Thomas Jefferson
"Consider the clown(s) just one of God's little nettles in the woods, don't let it detract from the beauty. Sooner or latter you are going to run into the nettles regardless of how careful you are."
Beware of man who types much, but says nothing.
Neat, can't wait to see it in person!
-Matt
Group Buys Honcho'd: C326-175-FN, 434-210-RF, C434-210-RF, 30-165-SIL-MOD, 358156-PB, 413-170-Keith, C348-225-FN, 8mm SIL, 45-230-CM, 45-270-Ohaus/SWC, Edd's 28-170-FN
I made the breech block. I didn't want to mess up the original and I left a couple areas square instead of rounded to make it apparent it is a conversion.
Edd
Charter member Michigan liars club!
"The strongest reason for the people to retain the right to keep and bear arms is, as a last resort, to protect themselves against tyranny in Government." -- Thomas Jefferson
"Consider the clown(s) just one of God's little nettles in the woods, don't let it detract from the beauty. Sooner or latter you are going to run into the nettles regardless of how careful you are."
Beware of man who types much, but says nothing.
In my practiced opinion, I would surmise that reliable 50-yard can whacking equates to a serviceable small game rifle!
I bet the guy that handed you that mess in a trade feels like he did the right thing......looking good mister.......cannot wait to try her out.
I assume you are rolling your own ammo. Care to tell us about your powder/primer/boolit/methods?
I'm loading 1.2 grains Bullseye, under a BRP 78 grain bullet, with CCI SP primers. After a lot of looking through old manuals I'll try some other powders and a couple other bullets. This action is a fairly weak action so I'll be loading to factory ballistics or lower for pistols. I expect to try 700x, 231,RedDot, Unigue, and HP38.
Edd
Charter member Michigan liars club!
"The strongest reason for the people to retain the right to keep and bear arms is, as a last resort, to protect themselves against tyranny in Government." -- Thomas Jefferson
"Consider the clown(s) just one of God's little nettles in the woods, don't let it detract from the beauty. Sooner or latter you are going to run into the nettles regardless of how careful you are."
Beware of man who types much, but says nothing.
What a dandy little rifle! Envious here.
I am curious, why not chamber for 32 long which would be more readily available and could still use 32 short? And I agree with posts that you have a neat rifle here.
"Time wounds all heels." Well, maybe not, but it helps me to think so rather than responding to bad actors.
Oh Edd,
How you can make us drool. Sweet piece with a very interesting tang sight. PM coming at you.
Like I said earlier, the Favorite action isn't a hearty action so I went with a cartridge that will be safe in factory ammo. The operating pressure on the 32 S&W is somewhat lower than the pressures for the 32 S&W Long/32 Long Colt N.P. The 32 S&W was developed in 1870 while the 32 S&W long was developed in about 1905. The 32 S&W brass isn't that hard to find and will last a long time so it isn't a matter of constantly replenishing the brass. Lastly, one can make 32 S&W from the 32 Long brass if necessary. Everything was done considering the fact that the gun will in all likelihood be around long after I am gone and will no longer have control of the events concerning the rifle.
Edd
Charter member Michigan liars club!
"The strongest reason for the people to retain the right to keep and bear arms is, as a last resort, to protect themselves against tyranny in Government." -- Thomas Jefferson
"Consider the clown(s) just one of God's little nettles in the woods, don't let it detract from the beauty. Sooner or latter you are going to run into the nettles regardless of how careful you are."
Beware of man who types much, but says nothing.
Thanks Karl. I'll give you a call soon and tell you the "rest of the story."
Edd
Charter member Michigan liars club!
"The strongest reason for the people to retain the right to keep and bear arms is, as a last resort, to protect themselves against tyranny in Government." -- Thomas Jefferson
"Consider the clown(s) just one of God's little nettles in the woods, don't let it detract from the beauty. Sooner or latter you are going to run into the nettles regardless of how careful you are."
Beware of man who types much, but says nothing.
What makes the Favorite's falling block a weak action?
Thanks, Badgeredd for your explanation on the cartridge choice. Makes really good sense. Given your other work on the rifle, who should expect anything else.
Nick
"Time wounds all heels." Well, maybe not, but it helps me to think so rather than responding to bad actors.
Mainly that it is not a falling block, but more of a swinging or pivoting block. There is a bit more to it than that, but I don't have my copy of "Single Shot rifles and Actions" handy.
Robert
Just looked it up. A swinging block. Nice looking rifle, but.................
Edd,
What is the barrel length on your 32 S&W. Rifles with short actions can make a barrel seem shorter than it is.
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