Stevens 200 Action?

T

TrxR

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I am looking at getting into local F/TR and was wondering if it would be possible to be competitive using a Stevens 200 action and a Aftermarket barrel. Is there a single shot follower available for these in Canada? I was thinking something like a Stevens action, Rifle basics trigger, True flite barrel , not sure on a stock. Also which is a better setup pre-fit or have one fitted without a barrel nut? The caliber I am looking at is a .223 with a 1 in 7 twist. Will this action be competitive or would I be better off with something like a Pierce.

Thanks
 
Yes, the Stevens and Savage can be competitive in F class.

I have plenty of info on my website and can help you will all your parts and questions.

Competed the last 2 yrs in FTR with a 223 - 90 so pretty know as much as the next guy.

There is a huge article in this forum with all the development over those years. Can be very accurate and competitive, has its limitations.

Jerry
 
Physics...

I have a really bad shoulder so my journey with the 223/90 in F TR was a way to use tech to over come recoil pain. No recoil and I can shoot all day. Lower costs. When tuned properly, very good accuracy similar to any 308

Out to 600m, I am been on the podium at various western matches. Out to 1000yds, not so much.

Beyond 600yds, paper ballistics take a back seat to inertia. I bled numerous points on gusts that would push ALL of us. However, a heavy 308 would move within a ring or just out. I would be out 1 or more rings. This is not a misread of the main condition but a local system that comes and goes all over the range.

I shot with a couple of the top US shooters in Raton, NM this summer. They too got bounced around with their lighter 308 bullets. Me and my 90's, did surprisingly well all things considered BUT when a Raton gust hit, I lost at least 1 point for sure.

At this level of comp, you can't loose enough points to win.

For this season, I am moving to a 308 heavy set up to compete out to 1000yds. I will still use my 223 for practise cause it really keeps you on your toes to wind twitches... nothing better in my opinion. If I competed only to 600m, I would not feel disadvantaged with a 223 at all.

If you need any help setting up that 223, I have been there and done it all.

Here is video of my Savage/Shilen/MPOD FTR rig at 300m after coming back from Raton. Yes, things were pretty well dialed in. The 2nd shot was a slight wind rise I missed. The 4th was me aiming a bit low to ensure my vertical was still tight - the bullet went where I aimed. The center ring is the size of a tooney.




And what I used to shoot.
Jerry
 
I meat are there any big limitations to the stevens or savage actions? Mystic do you know if there is a single shot follower available in canada for the stevens? Also what stock is that in the video?

Thanks
 
For what it is worth, I've seen lots of Savages/Stevens (including Mystic's) on the line score quite well.
 
Score Hi BR follower can be added to the staggered feed mag box. Or it can be taped/glued into the new gen actions. I just glue it into the mag opening and it does a great job for F class.

Savage and Stevens are the same thing minus accessories. Just make sure you get the side bolt release version (non accustock rifles - slotted barrel nut - bolt release)
 
Is there any advantages as far a accuracy goes by having a smith do a non barrel nut barrel install? Or is the prefit as good?
 
Choate custom tactical with blind mag.

As always, it depends on who does the work and how it is done. I have had several shoulder headspaced Savages and they shot really nicely. See 6mmBR.com gun of the week #75.

I have had many more prefits by Shilen and made locally that shot every bit as good BUT the machining was done properly and all things were true.

Because of how the Savage action is manufactured, many of the common issues simply aren't there. Then the floating bolt head resolves the remaining few.

I would feel confident going with either route. All my F class rifles over the last 4 seasons have used prefits of one form or other.

That video above is with a Shilen prefit on a Stevens action.

Jerry
 
Is there a major price difference on the install between the two? Also any recommendations on who to have the install done by?

Is there different variants of the Stevens actions? or were they all the same. How do you tell the difference if there is any?

Thanks
 
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The only major diff is the type of mag - old gen had a staggered mag attached to the receiver and a 4.25" bolt spacing.

new ones are center feed with the mag held in the stock. 4.4" bolt spacing. That is pretty much it.

You can do the install yourself if you want. I can also help if needed.

The claim to fame of these rifles is that ability for DIY swapping.
Jerry
 
So is there a preference on which to use? Will one be any more trouble than the other?

Also can the chamber on the prefits be done with a little longer throat for 90gr bullets?

Thanks
 
All of the actions are pretty much the same, like Jerry said, unless it has the new accu-stock........
You can get the freebore opened up for the 90 grainers, at the same time specify your neck diameter for lapua brass.....255 if memory serves me correct, Jerry has the hi score single shot followers, and he has the thicker recoil lug your going to want.......

Also.........PM inbound..........as I have something special..............
 
I do my own throating cause I know it will get done the way I want.

In general, prefits just use off the rack reamers unless you supply. custom tweaks are usually met with a frown as it slows down their process and opens them to "2 thou to long" silliness.

I use their 223 Rem reamer and throat in a second step. Works just fine.

Win brass for me. Or norma

Jerry
 
one difference that you may encounter is standard shank and large shank barrels or actions. most of the savages and all of the stevens rifles are standard sized actions, the savage model 12 target actions and other rifles chambered in the WSM chamberings will be the large shank actions. Although the outside diameter of the 2 actions are the same and all internal bolt pieces interchangeable, the difference is in the size of the reciever/barrel threads, standard actions being 1.055 X 20 inch and large being 1.0625 X 20 inch
 
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