Stevens 325 C

[danielwcasey]

OK so I picked up this little bolt action 30-30 and I know they aren't worth much, but it's really growing on me. I guess I'm wondering if I can dress it up with a better trigger etc... Any thoughts or ideas?

 

[airedaleman]

Nothing really available to dress up these nifty old rifles, except - I believe - a Williams receiver sight. The triggers on the 325 and all its descendents are complex and best left alone. I've found a dab of graphited grease from time to time on the sear and the nose of the firing pin much improves the trigger pull.

 

[DashCasey0120]

I was afraid that might be the case - thanks for the comment though

 

[Palehorseman]

Mine is mounted with the William's FP 340 rear aperture sight. I love the old 325C, took my first deer with one when 12 years old.

 

[loose noose]

Had one back in the early '70s, and shot a little forkhorn Muley with it, sorry I ever got rid of it, I never had a problem with the trigger. Fact is it would hold right at a 1 1/2 inches at a hundred yards.

 

[damienph]

I have a Savage 340 in .223 Remington. It is the same basic rifle as your .30-30Stevens 325. It is a nice little rifle, the only thing about it that I don't like is the heavy trigger. I don't know of any aftermarket triggers that have ever been made for these rifles. Mine is acceptably accurate, with a good trigger, I think that it would be a real "tack driver".

 

[BCRider]

Because they are not worth a lot it can be a good trainer for working on some gunsmithing skills. Read up on the stuff and start by measuring angles and engagement overlaps and see if there's options such as a little dab of epoxy that can be used to try things out. I would never suggest epoxy or shims as a permanent mod but to try and see these things work well enough to evaluate your next steps.

As always when learning if you opt to try your hand at this stuff take off less than you think you need or alter angles less than you think you should and try it. It's far easier to go back in and changes things a little more than to stick the filings back on and hope you can undo your enthusiasm.....

 

[mac66]

I have one I bought cheap a few years ago at a garage sale <$100. Was missing the mag which I bought on ebay (and was kind of expensive ($40). I was going to make it into a pseudo scout rifle, cut the barrel down, mount a scout scope etc. I was disappointed in it's accuracy so never did start that project. The factory sights are a bit primitive which might have been the problem. Did some searching on the internet and found that bedding the stock is supposed to make an improvement.

 

[Panzerschwein]

Those look like neat little rifles!

I would cut it down to 16.5" and recrown. Would be a nice short package for in the woods whitetail hunting!

 

[mac66]

"I would cut it down to 16.5" and recrown. Would be a nice short package for in the woods whitetail hunting!"

Exactly my thought. And if you reload you can use a wide variety of pointy .30 cal bullets in these things.

 

[Palehorseman]

In these and other bolt rifles for the 30-30, it is like they were made for cast bullets. I have found mine to be superbly accurate with a variety of hard cast gas checked bullets.

 

[smokey262]

Palehorseman, can you please post a closeup picture of the left side of the receiver where the sight is mounted? Thanks