- Location
- Niagara Region, Ontario. For now
Stevens 200 - .223 rem = $360 (courtesy of Smacdonald)
Bushnell Banner 6-24 x 40mm = $170
Weaver Quadlock rings = $20
Weaver Bases = $20
Caldwell Swivel Bipod 6-9" = $40
Your first Handloads = Priceless
Anyway Grand Total = $610 (not including tax)
So just though I would put another Stevens 200 thread out there. I had heard so much about these guns and so when I finally decided to buy a rifle I said what the hell why not. I didn't think Id be shooting it much so I bought a .270 win for a deer rifle. Problem was the thing was so accurate it made me want to shoot a hell of alot more than I could afford at .270 win prices. So I sold it and bought another Stevens in .223. A quick adjustment to the trigger was all it took to get it pretty decent, and I was ready. I was overjoyed when I went out to the range for the first time and with some cheap Remington UMC 55 grain FMJ I was shooting sub moa right off the bat.
At this point I was using a crappy Bushnell 3-9 scope that came off a Savage 11fcxp package gun and it would serve its purpose for hunting but I needed more.
So I wnet out and bought myself a Bushnell Banner 6-24 x 40 which I had heard alot of good reviews for, and a set of weaver bases and rings, and since it is a .223 I didnt think I needed anything special. So Weaver bases, and aluminum quad lock rings were mounted and ready to go.
So here is the gun:
And a closer look at the setup:
So the next step was obviously to start handloading! I already reload for my handguns in 9mm, and .44 mag, and I just recently started reloading for my 30-30 Marlin so I figured what the hell. Why not.
Got myself some Lee dies with the neck sizer and thanks to some CGNers recommendations I picked up some H335, and some speer 52 grain bullets and I was off to the races. The first loads were 25 grains with a COAL of 2.265. They dont feed from the mag as they are too long but these guns seem to have a long distance to the lands.
Anyway I had 20 rounds and it took a couple shots to get zeroed. Here is the first 5 shot group:
A couple more tweaks on the scope and now I only had a few shots left so the next couple were 3 shot groups this being the better one.
So I was happy for my first handloads. They were a good starting point and I was saving 3 shots to take at the 200 yard gong for fun. I went down range to change targets and the guy I was shooting with mentioned to me that he was impressed, and I should try his rear sandbag. It would help he said. I am a total newb to this stuff, and had never used a rear bag I always just hold the butt of the gun tight to my shoulder with my other hand. So he set me up and gave me a couple tips like squeeze and release the bag to move the crosshairs. So here is what my last 3 shots of the day printed!!!!!!
Needless to say I am absolutely ecstatic. I am kicking myself in the ass now for not loading more but I will update as I go.
Now before you precision guys get all bent outta shape and start slammin me because it is only a 3 shot group let me clarify I have never shot like this before, but from what I have learned today, and on the last few weeks shooting this gun I am confident that I will soon be able to do so consistently. Seb MOA is impressive enough and with factory ammo this gun does that all day, so 1/2 MOA should be no problem and the occasional group like this is more than I bargained for.
I just wanted to throw this out there for anyone looking to start shooting some rifles, and doesnt want to spen thousands of dollars on a setup. I was almost ready to invest in a serious rig, but as a total newb I felt it was a big risk. I can have alot of fun and learn all the basics with this gun, and will never regret this purchase. I am sure later I might upgrade the barrel and stock, and even replace the trigger. For now though I am going to focus on getting some handloads cooked up and putting in some trigger time.
Bushnell Banner 6-24 x 40mm = $170
Weaver Quadlock rings = $20
Weaver Bases = $20
Caldwell Swivel Bipod 6-9" = $40
Your first Handloads = Priceless
Anyway Grand Total = $610 (not including tax)
So just though I would put another Stevens 200 thread out there. I had heard so much about these guns and so when I finally decided to buy a rifle I said what the hell why not. I didn't think Id be shooting it much so I bought a .270 win for a deer rifle. Problem was the thing was so accurate it made me want to shoot a hell of alot more than I could afford at .270 win prices. So I sold it and bought another Stevens in .223. A quick adjustment to the trigger was all it took to get it pretty decent, and I was ready. I was overjoyed when I went out to the range for the first time and with some cheap Remington UMC 55 grain FMJ I was shooting sub moa right off the bat.
At this point I was using a crappy Bushnell 3-9 scope that came off a Savage 11fcxp package gun and it would serve its purpose for hunting but I needed more.
So I wnet out and bought myself a Bushnell Banner 6-24 x 40 which I had heard alot of good reviews for, and a set of weaver bases and rings, and since it is a .223 I didnt think I needed anything special. So Weaver bases, and aluminum quad lock rings were mounted and ready to go.
So here is the gun:
And a closer look at the setup:
So the next step was obviously to start handloading! I already reload for my handguns in 9mm, and .44 mag, and I just recently started reloading for my 30-30 Marlin so I figured what the hell. Why not.
Got myself some Lee dies with the neck sizer and thanks to some CGNers recommendations I picked up some H335, and some speer 52 grain bullets and I was off to the races. The first loads were 25 grains with a COAL of 2.265. They dont feed from the mag as they are too long but these guns seem to have a long distance to the lands.
Anyway I had 20 rounds and it took a couple shots to get zeroed. Here is the first 5 shot group:
A couple more tweaks on the scope and now I only had a few shots left so the next couple were 3 shot groups this being the better one.
So I was happy for my first handloads. They were a good starting point and I was saving 3 shots to take at the 200 yard gong for fun. I went down range to change targets and the guy I was shooting with mentioned to me that he was impressed, and I should try his rear sandbag. It would help he said. I am a total newb to this stuff, and had never used a rear bag I always just hold the butt of the gun tight to my shoulder with my other hand. So he set me up and gave me a couple tips like squeeze and release the bag to move the crosshairs. So here is what my last 3 shots of the day printed!!!!!!
Needless to say I am absolutely ecstatic. I am kicking myself in the ass now for not loading more but I will update as I go.
Now before you precision guys get all bent outta shape and start slammin me because it is only a 3 shot group let me clarify I have never shot like this before, but from what I have learned today, and on the last few weeks shooting this gun I am confident that I will soon be able to do so consistently. Seb MOA is impressive enough and with factory ammo this gun does that all day, so 1/2 MOA should be no problem and the occasional group like this is more than I bargained for.
I just wanted to throw this out there for anyone looking to start shooting some rifles, and doesnt want to spen thousands of dollars on a setup. I was almost ready to invest in a serious rig, but as a total newb I felt it was a big risk. I can have alot of fun and learn all the basics with this gun, and will never regret this purchase. I am sure later I might upgrade the barrel and stock, and even replace the trigger. For now though I am going to focus on getting some handloads cooked up and putting in some trigger time.
