New Rifle

[Turbo]

I'm in the market for a new hunting rifle and am leaning towards a Stevens 200 in either 30/06 or 7mm rem mag. I usually hunt deer but want a gun that would be suited to bear or moose as well. Which of these calibres do you think would be better suited for the job? Is Stevens a "good name" or should I hold off until I can afford something else?

 

[powdergun]

Stevens,Savage, Rem SPS. All good choices for a basic rifle. I'd go for the 7mm mag and load 175 gr speer mag tips. That'll do for everything from Picas to polar bears.

cheers.
Buy the way you should also buy an 06 and an 08 and a270 and a 22 250 and so on and so and so on

 

[Ardent]

Stevens are good guns for the price, and either cal will do, .30-06 has plenty of horsepower for all North American game if you're a handloader and can exploit it's versatility. Even factory loads have it well covered actually, and you can get ammo anywhere. 7mm RM gets a bad rap for being unnecessary, but it'll cover anything and everything guaranteed. Would I choose it over an '06? Yep, but I'm a long range target shooter foremost and like the ballistics, for a hunting rifle, I'd go .30-06.

 

[blargon]

If you already have a hunting rig, and you could come up with more $$, why not hold out for a 700SPS, or Savage or Tikka?? Spend once and be happy.

 

[SuperCub]

If you already have a hunting rig, and you could come up with more $$, why not hold out for a 700SPS, or Savage or Tikka?? Spend once and be happy.

X2 !! .....

Don't buy a cheep gun, cuz it's cheep. You'll ony get tired of it and have to sell it cheeper.

One good thing about the SPS is that it's not that much to start with and upgrades can come down the road or keep it as is.

 

[roadwarrior]

If this rifle will be your main go to gun, you may want to save your money and buy something that you can be proud of... On the other hand you could buy a Stevens now, then save your $ and buy the gun of your dreams. It's always a good thing to have a spare rifle when you go hunting

The Stevens 200 is a decent rifle for the price. Of course, you wont find the same craftmanship as in more expensive rifles, but it can serve you well. I, have recently purchased one my self in .223 for some paper punching and maybe a coyote hunt here and there.

If you do buy a Stevens, keep in mind that it is a light rifle and that the 7mm RM will probably kick hard in this configuration. I guess the 30 06 would be a good caliber for your needs.

Have you considered the 308 win. ? You would have plenty of power for what you intend to hunt, with the upside of having less recoil...

Just a thought!

 

[true north]

I'd get one(stevens) just for fun.Cheap rifles that shoot good have their own charms, but I think if you were to put a WTB add in the EE you'd be suprised whats out there.

 

[powder burner]

a stevens 200 may be cheap, but it gets the job done