Varner Single Shot

[Prince of Wales]

Anyone here used or familiar with the Varner Single Shot? They look to be a well made rifle in .22 and .22 Mag. What do you think? Best of luck. POW

[Prince of Wales]

They can be viewed at http://www.varnerguns.com and come as take down models in an alunimum case. Best of luck. POW

[Voyageur]

Well now...it's an interesting situation POW.  The standard blued Savage-Stevens take down is $240 and the standard blued Varner is $340.  I guess I'd better get to a couple of gun shows and have a look at the Varner-if I can find one.

I've worked on a few original Stevens Crackshots and they have a different feel than the Stevens 'Crackshot' that was available back in the 70s.  I bought one for my oldest boy and it was his first rifle at that time...but it did not 'feel' like one of the originals.

Regardless of anything else will be whether or not the Varner shoots $100 dollars (30%) better than the Savage-Stevens.

Voyageur

[Prince of Wales]

My interest is in waiting to see if this rifle soon becomes available in 17 HRM. It appears that this piece is designad to be more than a boys first rifle. My initial impression is that there is more put into it.
 Is/was the Savage/Stevens Favorite/Crack Shot offered as a takedown?
To see the rifle in its takedown form in case use this link
http://www.gunsamerica.com/guns/976228622.htm
Somewhere I saw photos displayed for all modles available but I cannot find that link right now.
 Best of luck. POW

[Voyageur]

The current Savage/Stevens is offered as a takedown model.  It can be had with the permanent barrel installation for $20 less!

You may well be right about the quality (or 'feel' as I call it) of the Varner.  But it doesn't have Stevens stamped on it and sometimes that matters to me...sometimes!  Having been a gunmaker and machinist for over 3 decades I always have suspicions of 'takedown' models.  But we'll have to find out if the accuracy suffers or not.

I understand your wanting to see it in 17 HMR...for myself, I would very much like to see it in 5mm Craig...perhaps we'll both get our wish. :grin:

Voyageur

[elblerinnv]

PrinceofWales, Varner is now a part of Dayton Traister, the trigger people.  www.daytraco.com will get to their website.

Respectfully,
Ernie

[Leftoverdj]

The Stevens no longer counts. It has that damned sinstered breech block. There is one sitting in my local shop as new, in .22 WMR, at $150, and I did not even feel the urge to negociate.

Varner was rumored to be working on a version in .25-20. I sent them an email and never got a response. Poor as I am. I could get off some money for that.

[Prince of Wales]

Leftover I never get any response from my emails to them either. A 25/20 would be good. Or from that reamed to 256 Win if possible. If they continue to produce this arm in rimfire version I`m sure its just a matter of time until the 17 HRM is available. Thats what I want most. Best of luck. POW

[2520]

I would consider it very unlikely that a 25-20 would be offered in this model or in the new Stevens(Savage) Favorite.  The barrel is a slip fit to the action on the Varner, retained only by the screw as were the original Favorites.  These actions are a rolling block with the breech block not supported by anything.  A 25-20 would take this arrangement apart on the first shot.  256 mag would only make it a bigger granade.  Original Favorites will shoot loose using high velocity 22 ammo.  These newer rifles are weak actions (even if built of better materials than the originals) suitable only for 22 rimfire cartridges.  2520

[Leftoverdj]

Eh, 2520?

Sure some mods would be needed to make a Favorite style .25-20, but if Stevens could do it, Varner can do it. The Stevens Model 44 (NOT 44 1/2) is nothing but a scaled up Favorite and it took stuff as big as .32-40 and .38-55

DeHaas covered what it would take to make the Favorite much stronger years ago; steel frame, threaded barrel, tighter fit of breechblock to frame, and a bit heavier linkage.

Like I said, I only heard a rumor. Could not get a response from Varner, so I rooted around to see if it was feasible. Looks very feasible for .22 Hornet, .25-20, .32 H&R, etc.. I'll agree with you that .256 Mag would be a bit too much.

[BIGBOREFAN]

POW they make the Savage/Stevens Favorite in the 17 hmr. I seen it on there web site. I believe they offer it as a takedown also.


BBF

[Prince of Wales]

BBF yes I saw that on their web site about the time I found out about Varner and for that reason was waiting to see if Varner will follow suit. If not I will probably go with the Savage/Stevens 30 in 17 HMR. The trend is so much toward the 17 now that I feel if  Varner continues to manufacture the 17 is inevidable. With the quality I see displayed I feel the wait is justified. I`m penniless now but no reason to believe I wo`nt be penniless then as well. You know how buying guns goes. You have to Just Do It. Best of luck. POW

[2520]

To All:  Any of the original Favorites according to my book by DeHass were not recommended rechambering to 22 Mag.  The new Savage Model 30 is chambered for .22, 22 Mag, and 17 mag and is apparently safe for these cartridges.  The Varmer is chambered for .22 and .22 mag.  I have not ever taken a Varner appart and they say on their web site is to not inquire for Stevens parts.  From this I assume that their action is in some way different than the original Stevens and the Savage.  I don't know.  What I do know is:  original Stevens Favorites should be shot with low velosity .22 cartidges only; Stevens 44 actions are best in .22 caliber rimfire-the center fire cartidges that they were originally chambered for were for black power pressures including the 25-20 Winchester that I own.  The 32/40 qnd 38/55 and other cartridges made in the 44 action were withdrawn by Stevens when high speed and express smokeless for these cartridges were introduced.  The 22 Hornet was briefly introduced in the 44 in the 30's and quickly withdrawn when the actions soon shot loose.  I agree that the 44 is an over grown Favorite.  I will go on record here as I have have elsewhere that the best caliber for a Mod 44 Stevens is .22 rimfire.  Forget converting the old Stevens Favorite and Ideal actions for  any but rimfire cartridges.  The action is just not up to it.  Further, 25-20 loads such as I shoot in my 44 MUST be kept to low pressure loads simular to the black power.  The same is true for other center fire cartridges.  If there is an error, let us error on the side of caution.  2520