Resurrection of Steven Favorite Rechambering

Doc Hoy · September 15, 2022, 02:58 PM

About three years ago, I began to look into rechambering of a Steven Favorite for .32. Right now, it is a .32 rimfire. I will be loading only black powder.

The conventional wisdom at that time included the kits for .32 rimfire conversions but that does not turn me on.

As far as rechambering goes, many advised .32 Colt long.

BUT

I have about a half dozen bicycle revolvers in .32 S&W. If I rechamber the rifle for that caliber I can use the same dies to load for the pistols and for the rifle.

Comparison of ballistic performance for the two rounds reveals only a little difference. In fact, if the sources I checked are to be believed these two do not substantially outperform the .32 rimfire.

So, for those of your who can recall that thread and who remember advising .32 Colt Long, do I really risk anything by going to .32 S&W?

The breach block has already been made to convert to center fire. It fits and works fine.

Doc Hoy · September 15, 2022, 04:36 PM

I don't mind buying two different die sets if it comes out the the rifle should really be Colt Long.

Scorch · September 15, 2022, 05:09 PM

Just chamber, convert to centerfire, and away you go. 32 S&W is just a smidgen longer than 32 rimfire short. If the rifle is chambered for 32 rimfire long, you'll have to go with 32 S&W Long. You could call John Taylor at Taylor Machine to do the work, he's done a few of these conversions.

Jim Watson · September 16, 2022, 09:49 AM

Frank DeHaas thought the maximum for the Favorite is .32 S&W "short" in factory or factory equivalent loads.

But as Scorch says, the first thing to check is whether a .32 S&W reamer will clean up the .32 RF chamber. If not, go Long.

I doubt the action can tell whether it is shot with black powder in .32 Long rimfire, .32 Long Colt, or .32 S&W Long.

ChimpMunk20 · September 16, 2022, 12:48 PM

I suspect it has to do with several factors. One is cost of ammo.
As time went on the price difference was probably significant in popularity.
Next we have to consider the poor BC of bullets back then probably gave a huge nod to the smaller 22 caliber over distances just like people who prefer .177 over .22 airguns for flatter trajectory. There may be a size of gun issue. Also, the .22 was considered a child's rifle and people probably preferred giving their kids a rifle in 22 than one in .32.

Having said that, I think if you have an itch for a .32 rimfire, you should buy a Henry .327 Federal and learn to load .32 S&W Long ammo. I'm sure you can duplicate 32 rimfire ballistics and then you can scratch that itch and see for yourself why 32 was left behind for 22. If you buy a 32 rimfire rifle it will pretty much be a wall hanger. 327 Federal will give you 30 carbine performance out of that Henry when you are ready to get serious.

Remember there were many rimfire cartridges early on after the introduction of metallic cartridges like the 44 Henry. So why don't we see currently produced 44 Henry cartridges? Because 44-40 and 44 mag etc have too many advantages to continue with 44 rimfire.

Many love shooting 32 long and 32 mag but the cost of shooting those cartridges is prohibitive now unless you reload.

Doc Hoy · September 16, 2022, 02:02 PM

Thanks bof uv yuz.

Yes, I will reload the ammunition and only in BP for the rifle. I may decide to move to smokeless on the various bicycle revolvers I have but even that won't happen any time soon.

I am about decided upon .32 S&W since I can do the reloading for both the rifle and pistols with one set of dies.

On a parallel topic, I wondered (out loud) to Dennis at Titan Reloading, if S&W long dies could be adjusted to load shorts. His response was, no but the short dies can be adjusted to load S&W long.

That was some news and raised additional possibilities. Here is the sequence

1. Purchase the S&W Short dies and load shorts for the rifle.
2. Use the same dies to load long for the pistols or maybe even shoot the shorts in the pistols.
3. Then, if I am satisfied with the shooting experience of the shorts in the rifle, I don't need any rechambering.
4. If am still curious about longs in the rifle, THEN, I can still make that move.

bedbugbilly · September 16, 2022, 07:17 PM

Sounds like a fun project Doc.

Just for what it's worth . . . . I have a Uberti "Wells Fargo" with a 32 S & W Shot conversion cylinder - IIRC - a Howell that the last I knew is no longer available. Anyway - I bought a set of Lyman dies to load with, and the set will work on 32 short and long, as well as 32 ACP in case you ever need to load the 32ACP - my guess the set of Lee dies would also work for the 32 ACP as well.

My problem was coming up with some 32 S & W Short brass. Starline hasn't;t had bay for quite a spell, but I finally was able to accumulate about 55 casings - some are from original BP factory loaded, but they cleaned and polished just fine.

If you have some short brass, then you are good to go. If not, you'd better start looking as it is a bit hard to find, although you could always cut down the long as it seems to be easier to find.

Just thought I'd pass on the info about the dies and 32 ACP in case you were not aware of it and ever need to load up some.

Good luck with your project!

Jim

Doc Hoy · September 17, 2022, 02:05 AM

All good info. Since I only just decided on .32 S&W I have only been look for hulls half heartedly.

At the last gun show (Arcadia, FL) a guy had a fair-to-good condition .32 S&W caliber revolver. Don't remember the manufacturer.

He wanted 275.00 so I passed but he did have a box of long ammunition. I tried to buy them separately but he was stuck on selling the thing as a deal.

Doc Hoy · September 18, 2022, 06:29 AM

Looks like the best way to find .32 S&W long and short brass is to buy the ammunition and then use the hulls.

Doc Hoy · May 10, 2023, 12:49 PM

In the way of explanation, my wife and I moved from VA to FL about four years ago to care for may aging parents. They have lived in this house for 35 years and our goal is that they never have to go into a home. It is a full time job taking care of two nonogenarians and a house. So I have not reloaded anything since leaving Bought a piece of land for shooting but ran myself out of ammunition. SO now, I am picking up the Stevens Favorite project.

The rechambering of the rifle seems to be going well. It is a straightwall case at 8.6 mm. So I just used a straight 8.6 mm reamer. I roughed it in on the lathe and then finished by hand. I had to go in a bit further to reach .920 case length. Having done that (by hand) the case .32 from Graf and Son goes into the chamber, but the ejector interferes just a bit. A verrrry little bit of work with a Dremmel tool reduced the interference. Case goes in nice and snug. Ejector works very well.

Bought 150 cases from Prvi Partisan (Graf and Son). I am about to start loading rounds for it. Will start with a smallish bullet (.311) and work up to a bigger one depending upon performance. I don't have anything between .311 and .314. I have a .319 which I fear will be too big.

Any of your comments would be very welcome.

September 15, 2022, 02:58 PM	#1
Doc Hoy Senior Member Join Date: October 24, 2008 Location: Naples, Fl Posts: 5,440	Resurrection of Steven Favorite Rechambering About three years ago, I began to look into rechambering of a Steven Favorite for .32. Right now, it is a .32 rimfire. I will be loading only black powder. The conventional wisdom at that time included the kits for .32 rimfire conversions but that does not turn me on. As far as rechambering goes, many advised .32 Colt long. BUT I have about a half dozen bicycle revolvers in .32 S&W. If I rechamber the rifle for that caliber I can use the same dies to load for the pistols and for the rifle. Comparison of ballistic performance for the two rounds reveals only a little difference. In fact, if the sources I checked are to be believed these two do not substantially outperform the .32 rimfire. So, for those of your who can recall that thread and who remember advising .32 Colt Long, do I really risk anything by going to .32 S&W? The breach block has already been made to convert to center fire. It fits and works fine. __________________ Seek truth. Relax. Take a breath.

September 15, 2022, 04:36 PM	#2
Doc Hoy Senior Member Join Date: October 24, 2008 Location: Naples, Fl Posts: 5,440	After thought I don't mind buying two different die sets if it comes out the the rifle should really be Colt Long. __________________ Seek truth. Relax. Take a breath.

September 15, 2022, 05:09 PM	#3
Scorch Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2006 Location: Washington state Posts: 15,248	Just chamber, convert to centerfire, and away you go. 32 S&W is just a smidgen longer than 32 rimfire short. If the rifle is chambered for 32 rimfire long, you'll have to go with 32 S&W Long. You could call John Taylor at Taylor Machine to do the work, he's done a few of these conversions. __________________ Never try to educate someone who resists knowledge at all costs. But what do I know? Summit Arms Services

September 16, 2022, 02:02 PM	#6
Doc Hoy Senior Member Join Date: October 24, 2008 Location: Naples, Fl Posts: 5,440	Jim and Chip Thanks bof uv yuz. Yes, I will reload the ammunition and only in BP for the rifle. I may decide to move to smokeless on the various bicycle revolvers I have but even that won't happen any time soon. I am about decided upon .32 S&W since I can do the reloading for both the rifle and pistols with one set of dies. On a parallel topic, I wondered (out loud) to Dennis at Titan Reloading, if S&W long dies could be adjusted to load shorts. His response was, no but the short dies can be adjusted to load S&W long. That was some news and raised additional possibilities. Here is the sequence 1. Purchase the S&W Short dies and load shorts for the rifle. 2. Use the same dies to load long for the pistols or maybe even shoot the shorts in the pistols. 3. Then, if I am satisfied with the shooting experience of the shorts in the rifle, I don't need any rechambering. 4. If am still curious about longs in the rifle, THEN, I can still make that move. __________________ Seek truth. Relax. Take a breath.

September 16, 2022, 07:17 PM	#7
bedbugbilly Senior Member Join Date: November 19, 2009 Posts: 3,287	Sounds like a fun project Doc. Just for what it's worth . . . . I have a Uberti "Wells Fargo" with a 32 S & W Shot conversion cylinder - IIRC - a Howell that the last I knew is no longer available. Anyway - I bought a set of Lyman dies to load with, and the set will work on 32 short and long, as well as 32 ACP in case you ever need to load the 32ACP - my guess the set of Lee dies would also work for the 32 ACP as well. My problem was coming up with some 32 S & W Short brass. Starline hasn't;t had bay for quite a spell, but I finally was able to accumulate about 55 casings - some are from original BP factory loaded, but they cleaned and polished just fine. If you have some short brass, then you are good to go. If not, you'd better start looking as it is a bit hard to find, although you could always cut down the long as it seems to be easier to find. Just thought I'd pass on the info about the dies and 32 ACP in case you were not aware of it and ever need to load up some. Good luck with your project! Jim __________________ If a pair of '51 Navies were good enough for Billy Hickok, then a single Navy on my right hip is good enough for me . . . besides . . . I'm probably only half as good as he was anyways. Hiram's Rangers Badge #63

September 16, 2022, 09:49 AM	#4
Jim Watson Senior Member Join Date: October 25, 2001 Location: Alabama Posts: 18,545	Frank DeHaas thought the maximum for the Favorite is .32 S&W "short" in factory or factory equivalent loads. But as Scorch says, the first thing to check is whether a .32 S&W reamer will clean up the .32 RF chamber. If not, go Long. I doubt the action can tell whether it is shot with black powder in .32 Long rimfire, .32 Long Colt, or .32 S&W Long.

September 16, 2022, 12:48 PM	#5
ChimpMunk20 Member Join Date: April 16, 2020 Location: GA Posts: 70	I suspect it has to do with several factors. One is cost of ammo. As time went on the price difference was probably significant in popularity. Next we have to consider the poor BC of bullets back then probably gave a huge nod to the smaller 22 caliber over distances just like people who prefer .177 over .22 airguns for flatter trajectory. There may be a size of gun issue. Also, the .22 was considered a child's rifle and people probably preferred giving their kids a rifle in 22 than one in .32. Having said that, I think if you have an itch for a .32 rimfire, you should buy a Henry .327 Federal and learn to load .32 S&W Long ammo. I'm sure you can duplicate 32 rimfire ballistics and then you can scratch that itch and see for yourself why 32 was left behind for 22. If you buy a 32 rimfire rifle it will pretty much be a wall hanger. 327 Federal will give you 30 carbine performance out of that Henry when you are ready to get serious. Remember there were many rimfire cartridges early on after the introduction of metallic cartridges like the 44 Henry. So why don't we see currently produced 44 Henry cartridges? Because 44-40 and 44 mag etc have too many advantages to continue with 44 rimfire. Many love shooting 32 long and 32 mag but the cost of shooting those cartridges is prohibitive now unless you reload.

September 17, 2022, 02:05 AM	#8
Doc Hoy Senior Member Join Date: October 24, 2008 Location: Naples, Fl Posts: 5,440	3Bs All good info. Since I only just decided on .32 S&W I have only been look for hulls half heartedly. At the last gun show (Arcadia, FL) a guy had a fair-to-good condition .32 S&W caliber revolver. Don't remember the manufacturer. He wanted 275.00 so I passed but he did have a box of long ammunition. I tried to buy them separately but he was stuck on selling the thing as a deal. __________________ Seek truth. Relax. Take a breath. Last edited by Doc Hoy; September 18, 2022 at 07:23 AM.

September 18, 2022, 06:29 AM	#9
Doc Hoy Senior Member Join Date: October 24, 2008 Location: Naples, Fl Posts: 5,440	Looks like the best way to find .32 S&W long and short brass is to buy the ammunition and then use the hulls. __________________ Seek truth. Relax. Take a breath.

May 10, 2023, 12:49 PM	#10
Doc Hoy Senior Member Join Date: October 24, 2008 Location: Naples, Fl Posts: 5,440	Been a very long time but here is an update In the way of explanation, my wife and I moved from VA to FL about four years ago to care for may aging parents. They have lived in this house for 35 years and our goal is that they never have to go into a home. It is a full time job taking care of two nonogenarians and a house. So I have not reloaded anything since leaving Bought a piece of land for shooting but ran myself out of ammunition. SO now, I am picking up the Stevens Favorite project. The rechambering of the rifle seems to be going well. It is a straightwall case at 8.6 mm. So I just used a straight 8.6 mm reamer. I roughed it in on the lathe and then finished by hand. I had to go in a bit further to reach .920 case length. Having done that (by hand) the case .32 from Graf and Son goes into the chamber, but the ejector interferes just a bit. A verrrry little bit of work with a Dremmel tool reduced the interference. Case goes in nice and snug. Ejector works very well. Bought 150 cases from Prvi Partisan (Graf and Son). I am about to start loading rounds for it. Will start with a smallish bullet (.311) and work up to a bigger one depending upon performance. I don't have anything between .311 and .314. I have a .319 which I fear will be too big. Any of your comments would be very welcome. __________________ Seek truth. Relax. Take a breath.