benzy2 what I was pointing out is that a lot of people dont/cant work on their own guns, I have never used a gunsmith, and never will and I have done major modifications, you may work on things yourself too, but you cant assume everyone will, look how many people cant or dont want to even change the oil on their car or simple things like that. In addition to that a lot of people would rather not buy a brand new rifle then be disapointed/ outgrow it shortly thereafter.
That's a fair point and not everyone is looking to upgrade a rifle. If that is the case, then something else is a good idea. That said, the Stevens IS a Savage. Same action, barrel, and stock as the base hunter profiled barrel. The price of the upgrades is pretty similar when I built mine as to buying a factory rifle. I got a BVSS stock for $100 and almost bought an unfired take off BVSS barrel for another $130. The wrench needed for the barrel nut was $25 and the go gauge was about the same. A new trigger from a few places runs about $100 as well. So this mentality that building a Stevens with factory Savage parts being much more expensive isn't the case.
The benefits of building on a Savage/Stevens action aren't to build a factory produced Savage rifle. The benefits are that for a little more, you can have yourself a top of the line barrel that shoots well and cleans even better. Its a great beginner rifle because you can start cheap and then improve parts as you find your shooting is improving. Unfortunately the 12BV is no longer available. You either get the 12FV, with its bottom of the barrel stock, for around $580-$600 or you get the BVSS, which now starts at around $800. If it were me, I would plan on getting a better stock for the FV though I would probably leave the BVSS alone. This would put my end price of the FV into the $700-$800 range, depending on the stock.
When I price out the cost to build a Stevens I run right around $900 all said and done. For me, I'd rather have a $900 Stevens with a Shilen barrel than a stock BVSS and $100 cash. If you don't want to do any work, my route isn't an option. If on the other hand you don't mind unscrewing a few bolts, modifying a Savage/Stevens is easy and safe. Of late, I wouldn't pay the asking price Savage wants for their rifles. The $600 price range has a lot of good options available, and the $900 range only opens that many more windows.
The real benefit to starting with a Stevens 200 is that while in the early stages of learning, the rifle will perform beyond the shooter's capability. When you get to be a better shot, things can be swapped out to increase the rifle's capability. You don't have to spend a lot of money all at once to get into the game. For a new shooter to spend $800-$900 on a rifle for a game he may or may not enjoy seems like a bit of an investment. On the other hand, spending $300 on a rifle he may or may not enjoy that will grow with him seems logical to me. Getting 3/4" groups at 100 yards out of a box stock Stevens 200 isn't unheard of, after all it is the same Savage model 12 action with one of the Savage sporter barrels and a Savage stock.
I would also rather start with a $300 rifle, use it for a year and realize it isn't enough, sell it for $225 and buy that $900 rifle that fits the bill than spend $900 and realize I don't enjoy the game and sell it for $700.
In the end, buy what you think is the best for the money and enjoy it. It isn't my money you are spending so it really doesn't make a difference what you buy.