A Gentleman's Squirrel Rifle - Stevens 44 or Remington Hepburn

I took the Stevens 44 to the range a couple of weeks ago and had a blast.  The last task was to install the forend tip and shape the forend.  After this, it was just too close to being able to be shot, and I couldn't resist.  Let me tell you, anyone who enjoys single shot rifles would turn into a little kid after just a few shots with this rifle.

That was it's first outing and if you remember it's chambered in 32 S&W Long.   Not known as a powerhouse cartridge, it may just be the perfect chambering for a gun like this.  Targets from 15 to 200 yards were hit with almost boring regularity.  Lest you think I'm telling a tall tale, the owner of the range took several shots, and the smiles got bigger with each pull of the trigger.

200 yards is a far stretch with a gun like this and hits wouldn't be possible with these middle aged eyes without a great set of sights.  The rear is a Lee Shaver Economy Mid Range Soule sight and the front is a Montana Vintage Arms Combination front sight.  These sights make hitting what you're aiming at entirely possible and loads of fun.  You'd be suprised how long it takes that little bullet to go 200 yards before you hear the satisfying sound of lead hitting steel.

The gun is stocked with a piece of claro. The grain flows well and looks pretty good.  Once back from the range, I mentioned that I was using this Stevens to build a  "Gentleman's Squirrel Rifle" and was promptly told that a gentleman wouldn't carry a Stevens.  This comment was made sight unseen, but it got me to thinking.  What would a gentleman carry? (As if I'm really a gentleman!)

I'm pretty partial to the Stevens, but dug through the projects in progress and came out with a Remington Hepburn action.  This isn't a genuine Hepburn, but one of the kits from Upper Missouri Trading Company.  I've had the kit for several years and dig it out from time to time to fit a part or two and ponder what to do with it.

The kit comes as a box of wax castings.  Let me start by saying that it looks like a Hepburn, but nothing even comes close to fitting.  This is not a knock against the kit, but it's not for the faint of heart or those without a fair selection of files, and the willingness to use them.

A bit of work this afternoon and the now the hammer and mainspring are installed.  The website has a great article about the work needed to assemble the action, so I won't repeat it here.

I'm guessing that one more afternoon and I'll have a functioning action.  Why bring up the Remington?  Well just maybe a gentleman would have both. 

A bit more sanding and I'll be ready to start finishing the stock on the Stevens....and I'll sneak in the Hepburn from time to time.

Pouring a Traditional Pewter Forend Cap

Well, another week's gone by and it's time to get some work done.  Since I've decided the work on the Stevens 44 until it's finished, I'm going to get the forend done next.  I've given some thought to what I'd like and decided that a traditional pewter forend cap is just the ticket.

The forend at this point has been inlet for the tapered octagon barrel, but not shaped.

The block of pewter was purchased from Track of the Wolf.  The block comes with great instructions, so I'll just hit the high points.  The cost is minimal, about 6 bucks as of today, so it's not tragic if a mistake is made.  The first step is to prepare the forend.  I like to leave a bit of wood for the pewter to grab on to and also to relieve the inside so the pewter can surround the tenon.  I also wanted a design to show so once the tenon was cut.  A 3/8" bit was used to cut a circular recess and I connected all of it with some simple inletting.

Once all of that was finished it was time to figure out how to keep it all in place without pouring the pewter all over the shop floor.  The directions advise the the use of card stock but I couldnt figure out how to tape it in place and hold everything together.  One thing I have plenty of is scraps, so it was a simple matter to make a sort of Rube Goldberg affair of wood and a bit of clay to make enough dams to hold the pewter while I poured it.

 



The pewter is heated with a propane torch in an old can, just make sure to rinse out all of the corn first. Once it's fully liquid, just grab the can with a pair of pliers and pour it in.  The pewter melts at a low enough temperature that it won't scorch the wood.  As you can see I poured in plenty.  All that means is more time to clean it up.  One thing you shouldn't overlook is a bit of cold blue on the barrel.  The petwer won't stick to it.

Once the big nasty glob was worked to shape, i took a few minutes to shape the forend as well.  The petwer is extremely soft and cuts like butter.  Good thing as I poured in WAY too much.  All in all it's just a couple of hours work to add a bit of detail that is sure to get a comment or two.

  

Random Thoughts on Gunsmithing Projects

Like any gunsmith, I've got more projects in progress than I care to think about.  Hopefully documenting them will serve two purposes...passing on what I've learned and am learning, and much to my wife's delight, clearing out many of the boxes in the basement.  I'll start with a list of the guns that I'm working on at the present:

Rebuilding an original 1886 Winchester from 33 WCF to 50-110 Winchester.

Building a "Gentleman's Squirrel Rifle" out of a Stevens 44.  It's chambered in 32 S&W Long.

Converting a Marlin 336 to 219 Zipper.

Building a Double Rifle in 50-110 Winchester out of a Colt 1883 shotgun action.

Restocking a short action Remington 700 that I've installed an octagon barrel in 257 Roberts. 

Those are just the ones on the bench at the current time.  The list is long and I need a fresh cup of coffee so its time to get to work.  As I let the dogs out this morning I can feel fall in the air, so I think I'll work on the squirrel rifle.