Stevens 200 projects...

[bang_bang]

I was recently kicking around the idea of buying a new rifle, something in the .308 Win flavor. I looked at some Savages and Remingtons with heavy barrels...just not too sure I want to spend that much on a rifle that may shoot well, but be almost equal to my Stevens 200 in 300 Win Mag (which, after 10 shots, is a real bruiser).

I looked up some ER Shaw barrels and pricing last night. For around $225 I can get a .308 Win stainless barrel made with a heavier contour than the factory. I figure in another $75 or so at the gunsmith to mount and gauge the barrel...that's still roughly cheaper than a Remmy SPS.

Has anyone re-barreled a Stevens 200 or has anyone had experience with ER Shaw barrels? I'm looking for accuracy up to 600 yards, and something to shoot quite a bit. Those factory barrels get too hot and accuracy drops after a few shots. I want something with a bit more endurance for 5-10 shot strings.

FYI- I would be buying a new or used Stevens 200 in .308 or similar to get the action from.

Pics of your projects and any information on ER Shaw would be helpful.

 

[LoonWulf]

Ive both rebareled a savage, AND used and E.R. shaw barrel.......just on differant guns LOL. I took my 110 from 7mm to .300 with a stock take off barrel. I dont have the headspace gauges for the 08 family, but im pretty sure you can borrow or rent a set from some one. Those along with a barrel nut wrench gives you the tools to do the job yourself and save the installation fee. The ER shaw tube i have is great, its a consistant 1/2-3/4" over multiple bullets and weights. The guns a 6x47 and with little effort my friend. The barrel was installed on my 700 action by ER shaw, they laped the lugs in at the same time...total cost was 345 for the tube and work.

why not try find a used 08 family rifle for cheaper since youll have to refinish the gun if you want your barrel to match?

 

[Girodin]

I hope more people will post concerning their projects. I've been contemplating getting a Stevens to make a new project out of.

 

[bang_bang]

We went out shooting today...300 and 400 yards were our targets. Shooting a whole box of 300 Win Mag in a setting is a punishment...my shoulder is throbbing as I type. :banghead:

But yes, finding a rifle in the 08 family then putting another barrel on it is acceptable. I almost want to add a bigger diameter barrel to my 300 Win Mag to reduce weight and recoil.

Finish isn't an issue. I'd opt for the stainless barrel anyways. Then probably top it off with a Boyd replacement stock.

Its a thought...something totally custom, and probably around the $550 price range for gun and barrel (not counting gunsmith fees).

 

[LoonWulf]

yeah its very do able, my savage has had its barrel changed (i LIKE savage barrels, they tend to be quite accurate) stock replaced with a boyds thumbhole, bedded, slimed and a limbsaver pad installed all for well under 500. The 300 in a standard savage light synthetic stock is a a bit much for an extended shooting session. With the heavy target stock (before i worked it over to cut weight) and the squishy recoil pad it soaked up recoil enought to be fun to shoot.

 

[benzy2]

I would suggest going to savageshooters.com and looking at the classifieds there. Many people selling take off factory barrels as well as vendors selling prefit aftermarket barrels. If it were me, I wouldn't spend extra for an E.R. Shaw barrel. They shoot alright but nothing consistently better than a similar contoured factory Savage barrel. If budget is the key issue, find a lightly used factory take off dirt cheap, buy a used barrel nut wrench and a .308 family headspace gauge. Do the swap then sell the tools on savageshooters as guys over there are always looking for those tools. If a great shooter is the goal go with a Shilen or McGowen and enjoy all the benefits of a great barrel.

Having a gunsmith do it is fine, but with the ease of selling the tools I wouldn't personally pay someone else to install it but that's me.

 

[bang_bang]

Having a gunsmith do it is fine, but with the ease of selling the tools I wouldn't personally pay someone else to install it but that's me.

This will depend on how much the tools cost and how many rifles I decide to modify. I was so dead-set on the .308 Win idea at first, but after shooting my 300 Win Mag and getting beat up it made me realize that I can modify 2 rifles, with 2 slightly different contours and set them up for 2 different needs.

I already have a .270 Win Remmy 700 and a Win m70 7mm Rem Mag. My deer hunting needs is taken care of. I reload for all 3 of my rifles right now as well.

I also have a friend interested in this as well. He's undecided on the rifle, but if he goes Savage Edge or Stevens 200, I can still put his together using my tools.

Decisions....

 

[nastynatesfish]

The savage/stevens are easy to do youself. Get the wrench pad a vice and break the nut loose. Use a full lenght sized brass and put it in the chamber. Screw the barrel down untill you start getting resistance and check it to make sure you can chamber. Close the case in the chamber and close your bolt, tighted down the locknut and your ready. Shaw barrels are great. I've bought 3. You can search my post and see my old savage 110 and the new 700 I'm doing now. Take it easy and take your time. You'll do fine without the headspace guages or a gunsmith. FWI when I checked to see what a smith would charge me to do the savage he wanted 180.00 to do it. It only took me 30 mins to do and it was my first time. Make sure you check the threads on the fromt of the reciever to make sure there now galled from the scope mount screws. If they are you'll have to drill them, that's what I'm going through now with my remington. Good luck

 

[nastynatesfish]

By the way a savage barrel wrench is only 30 bucks. And I'm sure you can get a small vice for not to much.

 

[bang_bang]

Another barrel manufacturer I found is Pac-Nor.

Compared to ER Shaw, how would Pac-Nor rank? I have found both good and bad about any barrel makers, the good outweighs the bad. Also, keep in mind that this barrel will be fitted on a gun of equal price. A $250 barrel fitted on a $300 gun...I'm thinking accuracy will increase over factory.

Besides, I'm just wanting a different contour with a little more quality. Stainless is easier to take care of anyways.

 

[Uncle Mike]

Pac-Nor is fine....

 

[hawk45]

I've done 2 of them... one in .223AI and one in .260 remington. Both have Pac-Nor barrels and shoot sub MOA. I think they are great platforms for builds.

Pac-Nor barrels are very good. I'd rank them right up there. They will do any size, shape, chamber, throat, crown, finish, twist you want.

 

[benzy2]

This will depend on how much the tools cost and how many rifles I decide to modify.

Even if you only do one the cost of the tools is under $100 and you can sell them back for the bulk of your money. The barrel nut wrench should see almost a full price refund selling used on savage shooters and the headspace gauge should get almost all of your money back as well. The used market value of the tools needed to do the swap is very good making it hard to beat.