The more I shoot my Stevens 200 .243 the more I like it. I went to the range yesterday and tested some loads using 70 grain Hornady SXSP bullets and IMR 4064 powder. In the picture below is the rifle and the two best groups.
41 grains yielded a 100 yard group in which the first 4 shots measured .390! I pulled the 5th shot (my fault entirely.. too much pressure … had that great 5 shot group going!) and ended up with a flyer that opened up the group two 1.09.
42 grains yielded a 100 yard 3shot group measuring .550. I only had three of those so only fired a three shot group.
All this from a rifle that I have about $250 into including the rings, mounts and 3X9 Nikon Prostaff scope. (All bought used) All I did to this rifle was put a lighter trigger spring in it. Did it myself using the spring steel from an old spinner bait.
During the same range session I shot my Remington 700 VLFS fluted bull barrel Thumbhole stock in .223 with a Nikon Monarch 6 X24 and a Remington 700 VSFS in .204 Ruger with a Leopold 4 X 20. The best 100 yard group with the .223 was a .401
5- shot and the best from the .204 was a .380 100 yard group.
So the bargain basement .243 is shooting just about as well as the two high dollar rigs!
Whoda thunk it?
I think I’m gonna look for a used Stevens 200 in .223 and .308
