I'm a fan of the stevens for its great value and basic, yet accurate function, but lets not kid ourselves. The guy that goes out and spends $1500 on a Cooper for example is getting a vastly superior rifle, in terms of fit and finish and quite likely a little additional acurracy. But he did have to spend $1500 instead of $350.
Stevens 200 Transformation
- Thread starter spicy49
- Start date
I'm a fan of the stevens for its great value and basic, yet accurate function, but lets not kid ourselves. The guy that goes out and spends $1500 on a Cooper for example is getting a vastly superior rifle, in terms of fit and finish and quite likely a little additional acurracy. But he did have to spend $1500 instead of $350.
Stevens 200 rifles
I will have to agree with this. However, we also have to look at the function and intent of these Stevens rifles. Savage has done an intelligent decision to use an avaliable, paid for, machinery and production line to provide the ordinary shooter and hunter with a BASIC rifle. I doubt if Savage really realized just how successful this rifle would be.
Something like the plain, ordinary girl next door when we were growing up. All of a sudden, after getting to know her a bit, and seeing her all dolled up with a new dress and lipstick, she looked pretty good. And she was steady and reliable, unlike those stunning Blondes who were the center of attention, but were also a high cost - high maintenance item.
And I just dare you to see what happens when your wife gets all dressed up for an event, and you are dumb enough to make a negative comment on her choice of clothing and make-up.
It really doesn't matter if a Deer or Varmint gets shot with a $1500 rifle or a $300 one. Reasonable accuracy is what matters, and for the most part, Savage has provided this in the Stevens 200. With the price of the ordinary Remingtons and Rugers and such, (and even the Savage line of rifles), generally in the $500 - $1000 range, the $300 Stevens 200 is a bargain. If someone wants to make it a bit more eye appealing, then go for it.
I will have to agree with this. However, we also have to look at the function and intent of these Stevens rifles. Savage has done an intelligent decision to use an avaliable, paid for, machinery and production line to provide the ordinary shooter and hunter with a BASIC rifle. I doubt if Savage really realized just how successful this rifle would be.
Something like the plain, ordinary girl next door when we were growing up. All of a sudden, after getting to know her a bit, and seeing her all dolled up with a new dress and lipstick, she looked pretty good. And she was steady and reliable, unlike those stunning Blondes who were the center of attention, but were also a high cost - high maintenance item.
And I just dare you to see what happens when your wife gets all dressed up for an event, and you are dumb enough to make a negative comment on her choice of clothing and make-up.
It really doesn't matter if a Deer or Varmint gets shot with a $1500 rifle or a $300 one. Reasonable accuracy is what matters, and for the most part, Savage has provided this in the Stevens 200. With the price of the ordinary Remingtons and Rugers and such, (and even the Savage line of rifles), generally in the $500 - $1000 range, the $300 Stevens 200 is a bargain. If someone wants to make it a bit more eye appealing, then go for it.
Pathfinder
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Northeast Ontario
blasted_saber
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- A blue part of Ontario
I went on a pretty epic rant along these lines a couple years back (I also involved SKSs)......I must have pissed some people right off because by the time I went for a crap and came back it was already gone. and I had several PMs from people who both agreed and disagreed with me.
I wish I could have read the responses I got, lol.
Amen to this. It's no different that all the different "working-man's guns" of yesteryear. The name of the game isn't price, but value. And the Stevens 200 knocks everything out of the park in that regard. The comparable Remington product [700 SPS DM] comes in at what? $500. The Mossberg 4x4 at $560, Browning X-bolt at $750, and the Winchester at god-only-knows.
Out of the 5 of them, whatever you're shooting at will be equally dead no matter the make of the rifle. But the Stevens does it for less. For those of us on a budget, value is key.
I love what the OP has done with his. It's not quite inline with my tastes, but it's nice either way. I'm glad he did it with one of these rather than cut up a fine Enfield or Mauser or other piece of history.
On another note, I'd rather put a $700 scope on a $300 rifle than a $300 scope on a $700 rifle. This, of course, assumes a $1000 budget. Feel free to substitute your own numbers.
BigUglyMan
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- New Scotland
Needs some matte clearcoat then it'll be just fine.
- Location
- The hole under the tree
Even though I like the finished job I think I like the fourth picture down better, but that's just me, NICE JOB, I'm trying to build up the nerve to do my Savage 243, hope it turns out this wellRecently bought a Stevens Model 200 in 25-06. Thought it looked pretty drabby so I bought some paint. This is how it turned out, whatcha think?
The ugly gray
image hosting service
After a base coat of black
image upload
Then Olive with the aid of a tree branch
wordpress image upload
Then some green with a little netting
image hosting service
Closer Look
image hosting service
image uploader
Put the butt back on, action back in
image host
image upload
And the finished product (minus a scope)
hosting images
I think it looks a hell of a lot better.
That's gotta be the dumbest quote ever. Can I use that?
If you spend 300 + 600 for a stevens plus upgrades, you're going to have twice the gun you would if you had just bought an R700 and put an optic on it.
$300 for the gun, and the $600 will get you a Shilen barrel and a Boyds' stock.
Then sell the take off barrel and stock and you'll get back $100+
You'll have a WAAAY better gun for you $900 than you would if you bought an SPS Tactical at ~$700+Tax.
bearkilr
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Nowhere, ......just past the middle
$100+ for a factory Stevens stock and bbl.?
I dare you to find a buyer.My twin brother(
) bought a Stevens in 243 when they first came out, $300 OTD. It's the crudest, ugliest, and roughest finished firearm he owns( and he owns some uglies) and isn't worth one cent more than he paid for it. The extractor fell apart while cycling the bolt when he first got it, he had to go hunting for the spring and ball on the rug. It sits in the safe, he's too embarrassed to take it out. To put a Stevens on the same level as a Rem700 is pure blasphemy.
You sure can new guy. Welcome to the site.
Good luck with that.
Well, theoretically "yes", but......your EE ad would say "Customized Stevens 200" expect offers around $550, cause (alas), its still just a Stevens. Been there, done that.
My twin brother(
Would he like to sell that 243 barrel? I'm assuming there are not many down the pipe.
