Stevens or 6.5 Swede? Decision made UPDATE

hansol

hansol

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Hey everyone,

Thought I would query everyone on their opinions regarding my next up-and-coming purchase:

I'm looking for a knockabout coyote rifle, but one that can also do double duty for a sheep hunt (because we all know that EVENTUALLY we will go on one of those). But to be realistic, that probably won't be happening for quite a while, so the rifle will mainly see duty as a coyote rifle/truck gun.

So that being said, I have narrowed down my choices to two options:

- (1) Stevens in 25/06
- (2) Husqvarna sporter m38 in 6.5x55

As for a bit of background, I'm a reloader, so am not worried about ammo. I also am hard on rifles, and expect them to perform when cold and semi-dirty. I don't expect benchrest quality, but after a bit of tinkering and bedding and load work-up, would like to see 1.5" groups. So that leads me to a few questions:

-How does the stevens perform when it's treated roughly?
-Also, how does the Swede handle lighter bullets, ie 85 grain?

Thanks guys, and feel free to chime in whatever thoughts/opinions you have. I don't have experience with either of these rifles, so am very much in the dark regarding my expectations of each. Hope Santa was good to everyone -Cameron
 
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Yup I agree with the others. All I knew about the Swede until recently was what I read. But Anthony has changed that. It probably comes closer to the all around caliber for everything except the real big game,as can be found. Oh ya,and it's long range accuracy don't hurt either.
 
The Husky is going to be heavier. If your going to be carrying it up a mountain you may wish for somthing lighter. It's probably a better built rifle, but realistically, there isn't anything wrong with the Steven's rifle either. If you ask the gun snobs, they will tell you it's not very good, but there is nothing about it that deserves that stigma. It's light weight, generally very accurate and simple. Their reliable and have been around for a very long time. The critics will tell you the trigger is the pits, but the rifle survived for decades without the Accu-trigger and shooters were still buying Savage rifles. Wood is nice, but for a rough duty gun you cannot beat a synthetic. And while it's not a McMillan, it gets the job done.

Now I like the 6.5x55 cartridge. It's sweet shooting and has lot's of power but won't beat you up. But the .25-06 is nice too. The only 'drawback' to getting the 200 as a truck gun is the fact that it does have a blind mag. I like that, but if you plan on loading it up it takes a bit longer to unload before you hop back into the pick up. And in this modern age of speed and convenience, those extra 30 seconds could mean life and death. :rolleyes: To me detachable magazines may offer convenience but can be misplaced or dropped. Floor plates can possibly be accidentily opened. But blind mags do their job and you can't lose them or drop your ammo. (I know, how often does it happen, but...)

If it were me, I would probably select the Steven's rifle and mount a nice scope up top. Find a good load and enjoy your new rifle. :)
 
Thanks for the quick replies guys! That's why I love this site.

I'm pretty much looking for a contrast between the two rifles, and one is inherently more accurate than the other, and if one can handle harsh conditions better.

As for gun snobs, this is a beater rifle. If I want something nice, I take out my FN Browning 375 wildcat and admire. Not looking for benchrest or pristine and elegant.

And as for the "30 seconds meaning life and death"... I agree with you Pharoah: sometimes a guy has to leave his mall-ninja couch and see what hunting is really like.

Cheers -Cameron
 
if one can handle harsh conditions better.
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That is certainly debatable....putting a plastic stock on a cheap action doesn't make it more durable than a great action in a wood stock. I've seen Huskies in many saddle scabbards and attached to many backpacks that are more than able to handle harsh conditions.......I can honestly say I've never seen a Stevens on a sheep mountain.

It may be a beater rifle to you but if it is to see use under the harsh conditions that sheep hunting offers....it still needs to be dependable......The Husky has two things going for it as a sheep rifle that I can see...it's not a Stevens and it's a 6.5. As for the weight...well that is a bit of a consideration.
 
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pharaoh2 said:
Will the plastic stock split swell or twist? And just curious, I obviously don't know a whole lot but how is a Savage action 'cheap' in comparison to a Remington 700 for example? :confused:
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That whole swelling and splitting thing has been very over exaggerated ......a well sealed wood stock is every bit as durable for short exposure to rain, snow, etc. Leave it sit on the side of a mountain for a month and you may have a point but for the guy on a 10-day backpack hunt it doesn't matter in the slightest.

Synthetic stocks are more durable in the fact that they don't get nicked, scraped and rubbed as easily and they are typically lighter.

This from a dyed in the wool plastic stock guy!
 
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I regularly use 100g loads in my Swede. No issues, just a good load you could tickle your shoulder with all day. At 100g, 6.5's are at least as efficient as the best of the 25's, and you have the whole gamut of weights to go! - 120, 125, 140, 160...... that makes a Swede usable for everything from Varmints to Scandinavian Moose!

OK, I am biased, but I would consider a cheap 260 as another alternative. Very underrated.
 
Already have gone the Enfield route. As I said earlier, I'm looking for more of a varmint rifle, so am looking for something a little more "flat-shooting" than the Lee Enfield. CZ_Brno hit the nail on the head.

I've never had a preference for long-action vs. short-action, so a .260 could be a possibility as well (A 264 win mag would be a dream). Unfortunately Santa didn't grace me with a lot of funds for a rifle this year, so I have to be a little more picky than I want to be.

Cheap, reliable, and shoots well. That's all I'm hoping to get out of this next purchase. Hopefully those 3 traits aren't mutually exclusive...
 
6.5 x 55 is a great caliber but one you have to hand load for to get anywhere near its potential.

The cheap guns on the Trade ex sight are just that, cheap guns. They often do have cracked stocks, bubba modified military stocks, missing sights, holes drilled all over the actions, brass tacks driven in the stocks, many not set up for scopes, etc. They do carry some very good rifles but they are not cheap.

The Swedish Mausers are far from perfect. They have a very long striker fall and therefor a long lock time combined with a heavy military trigger. They are #### on close which most shooters find more awkward than #### on open.

All of these deficiencies can be overcome but at a price. The Stevens 200 is not perfect either (really poor stock) but you pay your $350 and walk away with an accurate, ready to shoot rifle, no fuss, no muss.

I'm not intending to slag either rifle and I do own both, I just feel the most valid answer to the question asked is "go with the Stevens".
 
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