Bolt .223: Norinco vs. Stevens

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cote_b

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Hi,

I just tracked down a big lot of cheap .223, so now I need a moderately priced bolt rifle to go with it. Brand new, I can get the Norinco JW-105 with sights, scope mount and sling swivels for 275. I can get a brand new Stevens 200 for 350. It is drilled and tapped, but it has no sights. However, it is bedded and has a free floating barrel. Its primary use would just be shooting groups at the range.
I like the idea of sights on the Norinco, especially since I don't know if I could afford to scope the rifle right away, but if the Stevens is a better shooter, than I'd rather wait to scope it and have a better gun. The farthest berm at our range is 100 yards, so that would be the longest shot I would be taking.

Any advice is appreciated!
 
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I'll be the first Savage Stevens cheerleader to get in on this! I have one, and I like it, despite its ugly duckling status, and somewhat flimsy stock.

Check for mysticplayers posts, he's a fan of the Stevens, and has done some tinkering with them.

I put a Tasco(also known here as Trashco!) varmint/whatever 6-24 on it, and as long as its at 18x or less, it is an okay poor mans set up.

But the bottom line is, what do YOU like?? Are you a fan of open sites?? Do you like the Norinco rifle?? I think its what you like best, the hell with the rest.:)
 
I got the Stevens in 223, put a Leapers 6-24 ill. reticle ($150) on it. Great little gun. Kinda fugly, but cheap, and quit accurate. :)
At least with the Stevens you can someday recoup your money out of it by selling it, or you can modify with new stock/barrel and have a really nice set up.:sniper:
 
I just bought a Stevens for $309. I put a 3.5 - 10 by 50x Vortex on it. Shoots well, trigger not as good as I'm used to but I've improved it some and will modify it a bit more. Would the Norinco have a better trigger? Its a nice light gun that can be carried in my truck all the time.
 
I have owned the Norinco JW-105 in .223 and a Steven in .270 There is absolutely NO comparison.

The Norincos (and my buddy sold a bunch at his shop) were all very flimsy, rough and accuracy was hit and miss. I shot my first coyote with one though.

The actions are sticky, and occasionally will push a bullet into the case, affecting accuracy and safety. I have see one that Kaboomed.

The Stevens are not only smooth and accurate but can be upgraded with after market stock, accutrigger etc and the bbls can be upgraded.

Definitely go with the Stevens.
 
I openly admit that I know nothing about the JW-105, but I do own a Steven's 200. The stock ain't the purdiest, but once you get used to it, it's not that bad. The rest of the rifle is pretty good. I like the tang safety and the blind mag works well. The bolt and barrel finish are good for a low priced rifle. The trigger is crisp, but could be lighten up a few pounds. If you wanted to have a nicer stock and a better trigger you could always spend a little more and buy a 110 with accutrigger, but then it wouldn't be a budget minded project anymore...
 
roadwarrior said:
The stock ain't the purdiest, but once you get used to it, it's not that bad.
Click to expand...


paint thinner, 400 grit sandpaper, a utility knife and some Krylon fusion paint!!!

Carefully use the utility knife and the 400 grit paper to remove the seams left from the molding process, clean the stock with thinner and paint her up (make sure with any spray paint to shake the can for a full 2 minutes)

This will look beautiful, if you wish to take it a step further, you can fill some of the hollow spaces with short strand fiberglass and/or spray foam. The glass will stiffen it the foam will only eliminate the hollow sound.
 
I bought a can of OD Green Krylon paint a while ago and I have not gotten around to working on the stock yet. In your experience, does the paint have a tendency to chip? How many coats have you applied?
 
Stevens hands down or watch the EE for used rifles. I picked up a like new Savage 114 American Classic for 500 bones not long ago and it came with rings and bases. This is Savage's top of the line hunting rig, so you should be able to find a synthetic for a little bit less.

The trigger on the Savage is good, about as good as you will get from a factory rifle in my opinion. With the Stevens price saving though you can always talk to Mysticplayer and get yourself an after market trigger for a reasonable price. The stock is an easy fix if you have the skills and time required. Look at any of the guys on here that have done the modification to the Stevens and you will see how good you can make it look.

I would go with the Stevens even though it is a little more money but it is a safer, better built and more accurate firearm. This is a rifle you could eventually customize yourself at home. A new barrel can be installed by you with no need for a gunsmith, the trigger is the same. The options are endless. So if you plan on buying a cheap gun now and upgrading to a better rifle later I would simply buy the Steven and slowly upgrade it as the funds become available.

Savage rifles range in price from 300 all the way up to 1,400 (or so) and yet for the most part they are built on the same action as your Stevens. Keep that in mind anyways.
 
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