Upgrade for the kids' rifle - Stevens 200 question

svt-40

svt-40

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My kids are shooting Stevens 200 in 223 and getting very good with it.
Last week my older boy shot a less than an inch group and another group slightly over 1" at 100 yards. He feels that recoil is negligible and wants to upgrade.

Here's the question: would Stevens 200 in 308 be anywhere nearly as accurate as in 223? I have plenty of brass to reload in that calibre, but I also have lots of 270 and 30-06. Which to choose?

My preference would be to stick with 7.62 NATO ballistics, but would consider other options.

:sniper: :dancingbanana:

While we are at it, maybe you could give me some tips regarding handloading 7.62x51, which I've never done before.
What bullet weight/powder load is considered standard NATO ballistics and what bullets and powders are most accurate?
 
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I started my son with a 270 when he was 12, but wish now I had gone the 308 route. Recoil is significantly less, trajectory is still plenty flat, good killer.

Load a 150 gr bullet and go with a resonably light load and kill a deer.
 
Yes, buy a Stevens in the 308. It should group as well as the 223 (or reasonable close) and will be sufficient for the lad should he decide to hunt with it. Start off easy with mild 150 gr loads and increase as he can tolerate or wants to increase.
 
I don't have a Stevens, but I do shoot a lot of .308. My wife also has a .308 Rem 700 youth model, that she shoots 150gr loads with no problems.

I've been shooting 110gr Vmax loads, with a full case of Varget, and the recoil is alot less than my 165gr loads.
 
I have a Stevens 30-06 and it is extremely accurate( myself and friends are quite impressed), but I believe the 308 would have a bit less kick. In fact I would have bought at 308, but they had none in the store when I had gone in.
 
When I trained on the FN, the standard ball ammo was 147 grain, I believe, at about 2800 fps. Use a 150 for deer or black bear, or if moose are a possibility, a premium 165 grain or any 180 grain bullet.
 
I don't know anything about Stevens, only have seen one once. Handload and your son can have as much recoil as he would like.
 
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