Mossy ATR vs Stevens 200

[jmckinley]

  For reasons I won't discuss  (27 year old son) I was forced to sell my 06 and 22-250 Ruger and need to replace my rifles. I have been looking at the ATR and Stevens and was wondering which rilfe is a better pick. I am going to get another 06 to go along with my custom (98 mauser. ( I'll sell the kids before I sell my 6. 5 Swede). I need a good yote  rifle and having been thinking along the lines of a 243 to do that job. I will have a Handi 25-06 in a month or so but thats another post. Which rifle would you pick? The scope is going to be a 4-12X40 on my predator rifle and a 3-10x44 Muelller on my o6 to match my Swede. Jess

[spy231]

I reserched the same thing over and over again. Every time the Stevens 200 won. Everybody said to let Mossberg keep making shotguns and stick with a Savage for rifles. Everybody that I talked to said the Savage Stevens grouped very well for the price and I think it was guns and ammo mag said it was the best bang for the buck.
Hope this helps.

[EVOC ONE]

I've had an ATR in .30-06 for over two years.  It shoots very well with Rem Core Locts; Winchester Power Points and Federal Power Shoks and Hi Shoks, all with 180 gr rounds.  Overall, I'm impressed with the rifle.  Nothing I've shot has grouped larger than 1 1/2" and most, especially the Federals, will shoot 1" quite reguarly.  I'm impressed enough with mine that I bought a .308 wood stocked version last fall and plan to buy one in .270 with the Marinecote finish in the near future.  I first mounted a Wal Mart Tasco 3X9 but last summer switched to a Bushnell Legend 3X9X50. The ATR in .30-06, a Bushnell Legend and Federal Power Shoks, a exellent combination!

Regarding the Stevens, I only have one in a .22-250, but don't have much range time with it.  I installed the Tasco from the ATR just to see how it would shoot.  So far it seems that it will be a shooter.  It does have a heavy trigger, but I'm not really bothered by that.  The edges of the"checkering" is sharp and its easy to jab yourself if your not aware.  I have read over on the Savage Shooters forum that the Stevens stock does tend to flex a bit more than the Savage black stocks and some have changed to them.

Something else you may want to consider is an older Savage mod 110 w/o the accu-trigger.  They became the Stevens 200.  I picked one up last year that had a wood stock in real good condition for $230 at a pawn shop with a Simmons 3X9X32 scope.  Since after the holidays, I've seen a bunch of them at gun shows and shops. Mine shoots as well as the ATR. 

Search back a few pages for other info on the ATR.  There are a few members here that own them and like them very much.

The Savage/Stevens has a proven history to draw from whereas Mossberg has a reputation for introducing a decent rifle only to discontinue it after a short run.  If your really interested in the ATR, do a Google search for the Charter 2000 rifle.  This was the forerunner to the ATR.  Mossberg bought the rights to produce it, made some minor changes, then introduced it as the ATR.  The Charter rifle recieved some very good reviews regarding construction and accuracy.

You probably wouldn't go wrong with either.  Once you finish your research and handle them, it would pretty much be personal preference.

Hope this helps.

[poncaguy]

I have both, 270 ATR, and 25-06 and 7-08 Stevens. I like the Stevens better, but you can't go wrong with either. If I buy any more, will be 243 and 308 Stevens.

[jmckinley]

Thanks for your replys i have decided on the wood stock ATR in 243 for my Yote gun. The Stevens feels like ^$^% to me and i'll go with the Ultra handi in 25-06 for what ever else i'll hunt. My custom 6.5x55 with Norma 156 grainer will be my elk rifle.   Jess

[EVOC ONE]

Nice choice.  It would appear that you have the field covered.   Keep us posted on how the ATR shoots.

[EVOC ONE]

Ooops!  Disregard please

[DavOh]

My issues with the ATR lie in fairly trivial things....

1) the safety lever... it hurts my thumb to use it..

2) the barrel/receiver finish.... I'm not a fan of parkerized metal....

Other than that it looks to be very functional and from what I hear, is a good shooter.  But the safety makes me lean towards the stevens.  I'm likely to get a stevens .243 for my wife this year.

[The Sodbuster]

I was forced to sell my 06 and 22-250 Ruger and need to replace my rifles.

I've never heard anyone say anything to the effect of "boy, I sure am glad I sold that rifle."  With respect to past rifles sold, I've never heard anything but regrets. 

[cavebear]

I have a new stevens 200 in the 7mm rem mag and a 1965 mossberg .308 and both shoot exceptionally well.  both are good wepons and are worth the money..   I would not trade either for anything...   

[DavOh]

I have a new stevens 200 in the 7mm rem mag and a 1965 mossberg .308 and both shoot exceptionally well.  both are good wepons and are worth the money..   I would not trade either for anything...   

I had a mossberg of that vintage in .243 as my first rifle..... by the time I was twelve, I could shoot 3 shot groups the size of a nickel with it reliably....

that said....  the new ATR is just not in the same class as the venerable old 800b

[Swampman]

My son broke the plastic triggerguard on his ATR the first time out.  I replaced it with a steel Remington 700 ADL triggerguard.  IMO the ATR is a great looking and accurate rifle.

The ATR is not parkerized, it's matte blued.

[jmckinley]

  I picked up a Ruger in 243 with a Burris Signature Select on top for my yote and goat rifle plus the price was right. I started to buy a 200 in 25-06 and just don't like the feel of the rifle it feels cheap and toyish to me. I will purchase an ATR in 270 Win along with a Handi Comp a good man has offered and possibly an 06 and a 223 but if its not the ATR it could be the new Mossy 4x4 I haven't gotten to that point yet. I came to the conclusion that these rifle will serve my until i am to old to hunt anymore and still be able to pass them down to my sons and daughter (ex-Army). I will have another Custom 6.5x55 before long. But i will agree the 200 or ATR will get the job done and not break the bank either. The scope will be Mueller Sport Dots or Bushnell Trophy or the 3200's. Jess

[RicMic]

Having been on hard times lately the only center fire rifle I have is an ATR in 270WIN with a Sightron 2.5-10X44 on it.  It's a great gun and with Stevens 200 now $40+ higher in cost, the ATR looks better all the time.