Looking for reports on the Stevens 200

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R.W.Dale

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Particularly the .223 version, I'm quite interested to hear what kind of accuracy you guys are getting especially with heavier than 55grn bullets. I'm looking into these rifles as a basis for a rifle project. The fact that they come with a 1-9" twist barrel and accept savage switch barrels for the low price of $250 is too good to pass up. I figure a quick reaming to 22-250 or .220 swift and bolt head swap coupled with the fast twist will be very fun indeed.
 
I've got a .270 Win Stevens 200

I dropped a rifle basix trigger in mine - also sanded and painted the stock (its butt ugly) but it looks great now.

More importantly, it shoots 3/8" groups (100 yards) with handloads (Hornady spire point 130's).

Here's a pic:

20500back_to_front_close.jpg
 
I have the 223 Stevens...other liking the 60 grain vmaxes I load for it seated really long...it will put 10 rounds under an inch at 100yds....I did add a timney trigger as the factory trigger isn't really worth a darn...excellent gun for the money
 
I put a Timney trigger in mine, and then put on an A&B 223AI barrel. Shoots great. Probably be easier to just buy in in 22-250 though. There is a guy on Savageshooters that sells take off barrels for a lot less than $250. I also bought a Model 12 in 223 for my long range gun, it's got a 1-7 twist. I need to load up the Berger 80g VLDs I bought for it now. You're right, it's fun.
 



This is from my model 200 in .308. Two sub- moa groups with federal GMM. I'm reloading my own now and can get the same results or better consistently from a bench. The rifle is very capable but the trigger could be better.
 
Mine in .243 shot really decent.

With it's favorite loads, 5-shots at or under MOA were the norm.
It's favorite load was a Hornady 100gr BTSP over 42.5gr of RL-22 (Nosler's max. load, so use with caution)
This would shoot 3-shots under 0.5 and 5-shots to .6's.

Devastating on deer, but will/would blow up on short range shots at angling deer.
I'd recommend trying the Nosler Partitions for big-game.

BTW; The Savage/Stevens standard triggers are VERY similar to the Winchester M70 Trigger and are very easy to do trigger jobs. Usually all it takes it to "clean up" the stamped steel Safty/Sear, and the trigger is easily adjusted from around 1.5lbs to 6lbs by adjusting the sear spring tension (a nut on a screw !!!)
Personnally, I don't see the point in an Accutrigger. The Accutriggers I've adjusted for others always had a bit of creep.

Not so on my Savage M110 or Stevens M200.

I really liked the light weight of the Stevens M200.

A LOT OF GUN FOR THE MONEY.

A BEST BUY !!!!
 
My old one would shooot MOA or slightly below regularly. You are going to want to shoot heavier rounds. Mine would not shoot 55gr worth a darn. 68gr Black Hills match worked well and was relatively cheap.
 
Best gun there is for under $300, actually, probably the best for under $425.

My local dealer has them for $267. All you can get for $267 is a break action like an NEF or something. But with this, you get an Accu-triggerless Savage. You really have to compare it dollar vs. dollar. At the Stevens 200 price point, what out there is better?

Stock is pretty crappy though. I suppose a good sanding to remove the flash and make the checkering more mild and a paintjob would help a lot. While flimsy, it at least free floats it well.
 
I purchased my M200 chambered in 300 Win Mag in October and have been very pleased with the rifle. I have taken 2 deer and a turkey with it and can shoot a quarter-sized circle at 80 yds with bipods and Federal Power shok 180gr SP. Even for it to be as light as it is, the recoil is rather light. I'm a little guy and can shoot it with no problem.
I have heard a lot of good things about the .223 that I have thought about getting one of those. The 22-250 also sounds appealing, but don't have the cash right now. I would definitely go with a Stevens or a Savage for the money.
 
UPDATE

I finally ordered that rifle and the first results my stevens 200 project. Right now the barreled action is stock. I am using a Choate varmint stock and a Sightron SII 4.5x14.42 AO scope. later on I plan on swapping to a 1-8" shillen select match barrel.

I feel the groups pictured are a good representation of what the stock barrel can do, especially in light of the fact that with several different loads 100yd group sizes were very similar

HPIM1816.jpg
 
Nice groups...I have gotten similar results out of my 300 Mag with a cheap Tasco Wal-Mart special. Usually can hit a quarter sized target at 80-100 yds on a cold barrel. My ammunition is also cheap Wal-Mart bullets...Federal Powershock 180 gr. SP.
I think these guns might be underrated due to their cost and "attractiveness," but for a hunting rifle that you can drop, scrape, knock around a bit, it's worth every penny I paid for it.
 
I have a Stevens Model 200 in 7mm-08 and a Savage in .223.. both shoot well with reloads. I tried several loads before finding that my .223 likes the 69gr HPBT over Varget.
 
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