The .28-30 Stevens And Other Rifles.

 A Stevens Rifle Crank

American Rifleman, vol 30, no. 3, Oct 31, 1901 -  page 30

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It was with a feeling of pride and satisfaction that I was looking at my outfit of Stevens rifles, when the accompanying photograph was taken, and well I might feel so, for after twenty years of shooting the Stevens rifles I find them better every day. I have a .28-30-120, the latest production of the Stevens Company, and to use the phrase of the boy on the street, it's a peach. I find it the best for target work up to 200 yards of any caliber or charge of powder I have ever shot or seen shot; one need only shoot this a few times to fall in love with it.

I load my shells with 30 grains FG King's Semi Smokeless powder, one cardboard wad, Skinner's sheet lubricant, and seat bullet over all grooves. By using my loading tube, the powder is all uniform and compact, and I find this gives the most even shooting. And one thing I notice is, it takes the least change of elevation from 50 to 200 yards of any rifle I have ever shot, and that means every thing from .45 caliber down. I use the Stevens vernier, with combination eyecup, and Lyman No. 7 wind gauge front sight. The combination eyecup is truly multum in parvo, and needs only to be used in different degrees of light to see its value.

Next comes my .25-20 caliber, with special heavy fancy stock, with large Swiss buttplate, stock and forearm finely checked, which not only adds to appearance, but gives a firmer hold. This is my favorite hunting rifle for ’chucks. I load the shells with 20 grains FFG King’s Semi-Smokeless powder, and use the 77-grain hollow-point bullet. It is a sure killer. If one does not get what he shoots at it is his fault. Woodchucks hit in the body with above load at I00 yards are killed at once. With a .38-55 solid bullet and black powder, hit in same place, they would get in their burrow. So much for the high velocity of Semi-Smokeless and a hollow-point bullet. On this rifle I use Lyman No. 2 rear and No. 5 front sight.

I also have a .32 long-rifle, rim-fire Stevens Favorite, fitted with ivory bead front and Lyman No. I rear sights. It is a splendid rifle for squirrels or for ’chucks if I can get within range. This cartridge as now made by the U. M. C. Company, with inside lubricant, is a good one, being made as it is with hollow base bullet. I think it more accurate and a much stronger shooting cartridge than the old style.

About a month ago a friend of mine called me up on the telephone and asked me what rifle he should buy, for the boss had given him ten days’ vacation and he was going up in the woods with a party which had Winchesters and a Savage with them; but he said, “I do not want a high power rifle for target work at 75 to 100 feet, I have a No. 55 Stevens Ideal, .22 caliber long-rifle, fitted with vernier, combination eyecup, rear and combination front sight. Ten shots in a half-inch circle at 40 feet, just to keep in practice, is my average, or for a change of target I take a 10 spot of clubs and put one shot in a spot.

Last but not least comes my .22 caliber pocket rifle with 18 inch barrel; also in same case, a .22 caliber Diamond model pistol. Each rifle in a case as shown, There are many shooting outfits that are far more expensive than mine, but there is none that the owner takes more pleasure in than I do with mine, Saturday afternoons in the summer after the ’chucks, and at this time of year now and then a day with my .22 caliber rifle after gray squirrels.

One day last week I went out and with three shots brought home three grays. Then over at the range, where every shot counts; but it is always the same, when on my way back home I am praising my Stevens rifle and proud of the work it does.