Stevens 200 Barrel/Caliber Swap

french_fried_taters

french_fried_taters

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I know this might belong in the gunsmithing forum..but here goes anyways. I'm looking at getting myself a stevens 200 in 223 to start learning precision/target shooting with. My question is..that eventually when I want to move up to a .308..what would I need to do other than swap in a new pre fit barrel...pardon my ignorance...and thanks in advance for the help guys!
 
Easy. You will need.
308 bolt face
308 magazine well and follower (if you want it to be a repeater)

For tools you will need a vise, barrel blocks, resin and a savage barrel wrench.
Go/no go gauges are nice to have too, but a factory sized brass works as a head space gauge too if you are patient.
 
You would need a 308 Mag and bolt face... Once you do it a calibre swap will take you 10-15 minutes..

I was amazed how easy this was actually..

The biggest issue is checking firing pin protuberance. If you do a google search there is a tutorial on this at one of the Savage nuts websites. I haven't had to do it yet.. but adjusting it looks fairly easy as well..
 
308BAR said:
What would you need the resin for? Grip for the barrel block on the barrel?
Click to expand...

Yes,

The factory hires all the 600lbs gorillas retired from airlines and courier companies (some say even the post office but I think their unions restrict this) and gives them a long wrench to install the nuts.

Even with a hydraulic press, the barrel can slip in the blocks. With a bit of rosin, the grip is greatly increased making removal a snap.

As Obtunded said, you will be having so much fun swapping barrels and swapping stocks to fit different applications, just go out and buy another Stevens for the 308 stuff.

I started off only "needing" 2. Over the last several years, I have gone through a dozen actions and a BUNCH of barrels, several stocks, etc. Just way too much fun.

I now have gotten control and only have 4 actions but with all three bolt heads so the options are limitless.

Jerry
 
Swapping to a match 308 barrel on the Stevens action is good. I wouldn't bother if I was just going to put another sporter barrel on there, but upgrading it down the road to a match 308 is a great idea.
 
Since we're on the question of caliber/barrel swaps... If I had a long action Stevens 200 with a bolt face diameter of .470 (for example 25-06 Rem, 270 Win, 30-06 Springfield) and wanted to convert it to .308; other than swapping the barrel would any modifications be needed to the magazine or follower to ensure it feeds reliably?
 
Don't forget if your front baffle is the long style that shortens the bolt travel, it must also be replaced when you replace the bolt head. Many 223's do not have the long front baffle. Buying another rifle is a good idea if you have only one Steven's.
 
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