stevens model 200 in .223, I want info!

[boondock saint]

OK, here's the deal; I'm new to this sport, not that I haven't shot before, but I'm a rookie when it comes to knowing what to buy.
The very helpful man at my local gun shop recommended the stevens model 200 in .223 for my interest in long range (300yds) , go ahead and laugh, shooting. I have researched some and haven't found much in the way of negative feedback......what do y'all think?

 

[SignGuy]

for the $ you cant really go rwrong, i have a stevens 200 in .300win mag for stretching out to 1,000. outside of the finish on the stock, the hockey puck of a recoil pad and the flexable forearm*which is easily fixed* its a solid rifle. and with a dif bolt head and barrel you can change calibers easily.
its basicly the savage 10/110 action in a bottom dollar stock with the old style trigger* yes it can be adjusted just not as easily or lightly as the new accutrigger. i'll throw a pic of mine here in a second

these were taken after the stock was re worked for more of a heavier foreend but previous to the marbleing i did those pics should be up soon

 

[MagnumPeanut]

I love my Stevens 200 in 223. I modded up my stock and bedded the action and with some good handloads it shoots like a $1000 rifle.

BTW, I didn't shoot that particular group, Neil did.

 

[Jamie]

MagPeanut

how does it shoot when the barrel gets hot??I might buy my wife one,for teaching her wind with out the recoil

oh and what load are you using?Bullet,powder,brass and primer?

Jamie Barkwell

 

[MagnumPeanut]

I don't think I've gotten that barrel too hot, so I couldn't tell you. I am using 40g noslers, 26.5 g benchrest, Winchester brass, federal primers. Pretty basic.

 

[Jamie]

thanks dude

I will wait till next summer to see how these do in a target rich G-hog patch


keep us posted please

Jamie

 

[boondock saint]

Everyone seems to be painting these guns up; whats up with that? How would you recommend fixing the flexable forearm. What type of scope should I invest in? Would I be better off spending a little more on a savage rather than fixing up a stevens 200?
I'm not trying to be a pain in the ass, just lookin for more info.

 

[boondock saint]

I love my Stevens 200 in 223. I modded up my stock and bedded the action and with some good handloads it shoots like a $1000 rifle.

BTW, I didn't shoot that particular group, Neil did.

Thanks for the feedback and the pics!

mikelikesit

 

[MagnumPeanut]

The stocks are kinda ugly. That would be the 1st thing to upgrade. Maybe get a steel trigger gaurd as well. And as you get shooting it more you may want to up the trigger. As far as optics go, I have just a 4-12x42 bushnell banner on mine. Its not great, but its reliable for varmint calibers. I would still recommend buying maybe a straight 10 in the 3200 line as they are mildot with target turrets and have good clear optics and eye relief. There are ways to do a lot of shooting without breakng the bank.

 

[2bad4u2]

Everyone seems to be painting these guns up; whats up with that? How would you recommend fixing the flexable forearm. What type of scope should I invest in? Would I be better off spending a little more on a savage rather than fixing up a stevens 200?
I'm not trying to be a pain in the ass, just lookin for more info.

Didn't wnyone explain to you that it's currently very fashionable to paint and decorate your rifle to give it some kind of uniqueness and identity of its own? Basic black (or gray in the Stevens case) is no longer in style, young man!

Basically there's no downside to painting your Stevens because it'll never hurt its value what so ever. Basically, the gun is so cheap to begin with that no matter what you do to it, good or otherwise, it'll always be worth something in the end, even if it's only $150. So, you're out about $200? Big deal.

Now on the otherside, take a much more expensive Remington and trick it out. If the owner does a ####ty job at "customizing" it, (and I use that term extremely loosely) the potential loss in value is significantly greater than the Stevens.

Savage rifles (especially Stevens) are a decent, functional platform at minimal cost. I wouldn't spend a dime on a custom trigger or a host of do-dads that are often recommended. Why would you spend $200 for an adjustable trigger on a $300 rifle? Why not just step up a little and get one of the nicer models with the Accu-Trigger (Model 11F or 14) ? Just lighten the stock trigger the best you can and bed the action and you're good to go.