I finally made up my mind and made the order.

[Why not?]

What you are doing is great and more power to you, but at the end of the day it is still a Stevens, and this is not the basis for a precision rifle (as per forum heading) by any stretch. If I was to invest the time and money, I would start with something a little more...ummm..upscale !

You won't get much comfort from this crowd, son. This here's Savage country!

I own and shoot a long range precision rig (what I consider a precision rig!) and had it built over the last 2 years. Remington factory M700 long action, Lilja 27" barrel with a removeable muzzle brake. HS precision stock with aluminum bedding block. Factory trigger tuned to 2.5 lbs. Calibre for long range ? my choice is 300 RUM. With my handloads I shoot 1 hole groups at 100 m and often 3" groups at 600m. And when I lay the smackdown at 800 m, it blows em' up. Cost me a bit over $ 1300 plus the action, which is kinda my point.

I have a Stevens 200 in 300 Win mag that shoots 180 gr Match Kings as well out of the box to 500 yds, as your $1300 plus action cost, does to 600 yards. It weighs eight pounds with a 3-9X40 scope.

Ted

 

[maynard]

Before getting into a p*ssing match over what action shoots better and we start to hear all about these 1/4 min out of the box rifles let me say this....
If you go to a TR/F Class match you won't find too many Factory rifles, unless that person is shooting F(M) class.
You will also not find any factory barrels on these TR and F class guns unless again the person is shooting F(M) class. Even at the National Matches (sniper) the top shooters are not shooting factory barrels.
If these out of the box rifles shoot so well, you would think you would see them winning national competitions?
These out of the box rifles shoot very well (better then most shooters) but are not match quality. Saying that, it is not the action that makes it shoot. The barrel is the key along with a good bedding job, regardless of the sighting system used (scope or irons)

 

[catnthehatt]

Before getting into a p*ssing match over what action shoots better and we start to hear all about these 1/4 min out of the box rifles let me say this....
If you go to a TR/F Class match you won't find too many Factory rifles, unless that person is shooting F(M) class.
You will also not find any factory barrels on these TR and F class guns unless again the person is shooting F(M) class. Even at the National Matches (sniper) the top shooters are not shooting factory barrels.
If these out of the box rifles shoot so well, you would think you would see them winning national competitions?
These out of the box rifles shoot very well (better then most shooters) but are not match quality. Saying that, it is not the action that makes it shoot. The barrel is the key along with a good bedding job, regardless of the sighting system used (scope or irons)

This should let us put this danged horse in the grouund , now!
Cat

 

[COREY]

The Bushnell Elite 3200 10x scopes a fantastic scope for the money from what I have seen; it is a good way to start shooting with an easily adjustable scope without breaking the bank. I look at my higher end scope that I put on my traget\varmint rilfe when I bought it and then remember the Visa bill that took 6 monhths to pay back; I think you made the right decision.

 

[Why not?]

Maynard and Cat,

I agree with both of you. My point is that the cheapest of the Savages will shoot far better than most folks understand.

Dpopl8r,

The key word in your post was "often". The Stevens 200 will not shoot three inch groups at 500 yds every time, but it will do it "often" enough to impress the guys at our club.

Okay, dead horse down.

Ted

 

[dpopl8r]

The "often" refers to me, not the rifle. It shoots waayyyy better than I do.

BTW, I owned a savage in 300 WSM, and I know how they shoot. Very good out of the box.

Would love to add another .02, but better not.

Ok, now dead horse !?

 

[Why not?]

Yes, and our apologies for the hijack.

 

[MagnumPeanut]

I don't want to ressurect the horse here. I own a Remmington 700 in 270 and I put a Walnut stock and bedded and pillered the action on that and it shoots like crazy good. Its the ulimate hunting rifle. I just happen to like My Savage as much especially when it comes to upgrading. Its just cheaper and therefore I can do more. So I'm cheap. If I get into it more I will probably do something more with My Remington next time.

 

[MagnumPeanut]

I have switched it up a bit. Instead of the stevens action I bought a stainless Savage 10 action from a FVSS from board member McD in Winnipeg. I am going to keep the stevens intact as my wife is showing some intrest in target shooting.