Stevens 200 range report, can someone measure this group?

[C-grunt]

I recently purchased a Stevens 200 in .223 topped with a Meuller tactical scope for a mid range precision rifle project. Here is a picture of the rifle.



My biggest complaint is the stock. It doesnt really free float at all and if you rest the rifle on a rest anywhere other than right in front of the trigger guard, the POI starts moving on you. Otherwise it shot pretty well.

The trigger is a bit stiff and kinda grainy. Its shootable and for hunting it would be ok, except for maybe groundhogs at long range. felt similar to my Remington 700 I had in 2004.

Those are my only two gripes about the gun. But luckily those were the two things I had planned on changing to begin with.

I didnt have any good ammo on hand, so I shot with American Eagle 55 grn FMJ. I only shot one group after sighting it in, as I had brought my little sister shooting who was using up all the .223 in the AR. I didnt get a chance to measure it at the range, could someone pleas measure it for me?

As you can see with the two shots to the top, resting the rifle out near the end of the fore arm of the stock causes POI changes.



Overall I am pretty impressed with this rifle for the 300 dollar price tag. It shoots straight and has a useable trigger. Only the stock really lets it down.

 

[mshootnit]

That group goes approx. 1.62 inches outside to outside of the extreme 2 shots. Thats using a ruler and eyeballing my screen assuming a hole diameter of .223"
Looks to me like a little forend floating, neck sizing and seating bullets to the lands will get you well under an inch. Good shooting!

 

[Birdhunter1]

I bought the same gun a few years ago, the trigger is adjustable and when lightened is a pretty decent trigger. The stock I pitched in a garbage can and put a laminate on it then later bedded it. Now it's a 1/4 minute rifle.

 

[alemonkey]

Try getting a deepwell socket a little bigger than the size of the barrel channel, then wrap sandpaper around it and sand out the barrel channel enough to free float it well. Then fill the forend with epoxy to stiffen it up. I've done that on Savages and it makes a world of difference.

 

[R.W.Dale]

FYI the Stevens 200 trigger is ajkustable for pull and overtravel. The pull can be reduced somewhat but the real kicker is the overtravel. It's not adjusted from the factory where the stop is left fully backed out. Adjust this and it'll feel like a completely diffrent trigger

 

[TexasPatriot.308]

my 200 with a Nikon 3x9x50 shoots dime groups and is butt ugly, . I am putting a Boyds nutmeg thumbhole stock for less than $100 on it an make it a beautiful lowbudget tackdriver.