Reinforcing the Stevens 200 tupperware stock.

[R.W.Dale]

There's been a couple mentions lately in various threads of the desire to add some rigidity to the Stevens 200 tupperware stock. While I'm waiting on a bbl to arrive I figured I'd take a low buck stab at this to tide my project till more aftermarket centerfeed options come online.

Before diving into the below pics let me preface by mentioning that the mess really of the bbl channel doesn't concern me because it's going to have to be opened up to a varmint sized channel anyhow.

click thumbnails to enlarge

a NIB stevens 200 about to be dismembered without a shot fired




a pic showing the new centerfeed style mag system.



the bbl channel/forend before mutilation



the bbl channel with much of the internal webbing removed to........



to allow for a section of graphite fishing rod to be placed inside, note that the base section of a fishing rod is very very stiff and light.



to be epoxied in place using what was available at an Oriellies in a small town on Sunday afternoon ($20 for three and 1qt of 5w30 oil) I bought three thinking only two would be needed but all ended up being used



placed, filled, smoothed but still "wet". Careful attention was paid that the epoxy didn't over top the bottom of the recoil lug shelf



Right now I'm well into the extended 24hr cure time so I've not gotten rough with my handiwork yet., a few tentative twists seem to indicate greatly enhanced rigidity. The real test will come when I start working the top of my bedding over along with the sides of the bbl channel to fit that varmint contour 45 win mag tube I have coming.

 

[TexasPatriot.308]

I just spent $92, got me a Boyds thumbhole stock and got me a beautiflul tackdriver, cheap.

 

[Birdhunter1]

Tex i did the same thing, Krochus thanks for sharing this, i am getting ready to work on a stevens 200 and have 2 ideas. One of which is doing what you did, the other is doing what i did on my other one.

 

[bogus mcall]

Krochus, what caliber did your rifle start as, and are u going to have to do any other Mods to it, such as the bolt face,extracter, or ejecter?

 

[R.W.Dale]

Krochus, what caliber did your rifle start as, and are u going to have to do any other Mods to it, such as the bolt face,extracter, or ejecter?

No bolt mods required. 45 acp and magnum both have the same sized case head as this rifles original 7mm08 chambering.

I am however working on blocking the front of the magazine to facilitate feeding shorter ammo.

 

[JDGray]

Looks like a fun project, however, a before and after group would have been nice to see

Are you gonna install a sling swivel, for a bipod? Keep us informed on your process

 

[Snakum]

I just did the same thing to a Marlin XS7 using aluminum bar stock and Devcon and it cut my medium range groups (300 to 500 yards) in half across all my cheap practice ammo. Floating and stiffening a cheap synthetic stock works very well if you need time to save up for a B&C or McMillan (friends don't let friends buy HS) or if you want to keep it light weight.

 

[Kentucky_Rifleman]

Krochus,

Now I'm intrigued! Did you get the expected rigidity out of the graphite? Fishing rods... Damn, I'd have never thought of that in a million years, but I'll sure remember it. I'd have gone with grain aluminum slab stock or channel, but that would add a lot of weight. I'm curious to know how this comes out in the end. Please keep us posted.

KR