CmdrSlander
Member
Impressions:
Savage Arms has built a reputation as the source for reliable, inexpensive, and accurate (not to mention American made) rifles. Savage's "Stevens" line of budget rifles are the ultimate in low cost, low maintenance, reasonably precise rifles. Mine cost $319 (excellent Bushnell 3-9x40 scope included!) at Cabela's and fires the .223 Remington round from a 24" barrel with a 1 in 9 twist. The packaging the rifle comes in is flimsy and includes nothing but the rifle, the scope, and the requisite scope adjustment tools and trigger lock. Overall the rifle is quite solid, but the stock is poorly finished and should be replaced if one is chasing high accuracy and or looks, but that is a fairly low cost (around $99 for a walnut one from Boyd's) upgrade. As a complete package however (action, stock, barrel, mounts, rings, scope) the Stevens 200 feels quite sturdy. The finish on the barrel and action is consistent and protective, if not pretty. For my larger build, the rifle was not all that comfortable, but I very much prefer (and am used to) a thumbhole stock with a straight, high comb. For the average shooter, it is more than adequate. The action cycles smoothly and the trigger is 4.5-6 pounds, heavy, but fine for what is clearly an entry level hunting rifle. The infamous plastic bottom "metal" was very well made and just as sturdy as the actual metal bottom metal on pricier Savages.
Range Report:
The scope was troublesome to adjust and the cold weather did not help, however, 25-30 rounds later, the rifle was quite accurate, if not completely predictable at 75 yards. Better glass would, without question, improve the rifle, but as it stands, the Stevens 200 is probably more accurate than I, especially on a cold, blustery day, with too much caffeine in my system. Recoil was non-existant, and the trigger pull was, as stated, heavy but clean. My biggest complaint was the blind magazine, which I could not get more than two rounds into, however, I believe the cold contributed to that as well (cold weather + no gloves = numbness and loss of dexterity). I got several good groups, but only one which I shot in succesion (there were usually one or two flyers per 5 shot group). The heavy trigger and ill-fitting stock contributed to this, but even in its default configuration, the Stevens 200 is an accurate rifle. Not a target rifle yet, but thanks the common Model 10 action and high quality, free floated barrel, the potential is there.
Conclusion:
The Stevens 200 is distinctly average, which is wonderful considering its price tag. Subtract the cost of an optic and it is a $250 gun that will outshoot a $700 (cough***remington***cough) gun given the opportunity and with the right man behind the trigger. I will be posting a range report on the rifle with a new stock, which I expect to cut my groups in half, when it arrives. The Stevens 200 is a great gun for budget minded shooters, it is build in a highly modular way, which allows it to be upgraded to meet a shooters needs. Also, buying a Stevens 200 is a great way to get a Savage barreled action for a project, in fact, it is actually cheaper than buying a barreled action from Savage.
Ratings:
Looks: ++
Accuracy: +++ (accuracy is about average to sub-par in my experience, however other trusted reviewers with more shooting experience than I report sub-moa groups)
Reliability: +++++
Handling: +++
Overall: +++ (good)
Ammo used:
Hornady Steel Match .223, 55 Grain HP. (highly recommended, no problems, very clean shooting, and reasonable [considering the match grade bullets and time-tested, consistent, Hornady powder mixture] at $20 for 50 rounds)
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