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[James8003]

Congratulate me! After much reading thru the site...I picked up a new Steven's 200 in a .243 yesterday.
Looks good, action is smooth, trigger is not bad actually. Weather depending...hope to break it in on the weekend.
Unfortunately, the only shells available at the time were Federal 100 gr SP's. But ordered some Fed 85's and some Rem 80's to see what they'll group.
If everything is OK and I'm content with it, I'll get right on painting the stock, either in a camo or black. Still undecided on that front.
Scope wise, I've got an inexpensive Bushnell 3-9 and a BSA 4X that I'll try for now. But am in the search for a quality fixed power in the 6 or 8 power range. Suggestions?
Thx to GBO for the simple fact of all the great info and personal opinions!

[EVOC ONE]

Ok, congratulations to you.   

I purchased one of those earlier this summer.  I've only taken it out a few times.  So far I like the results.  The rifle shoots Federal Power Shok's 100 and 88 grain rounds very well, although I've not fired anything else through it.  The trigger is a bit heavy, but like yours the action is smooth.  I mounted a Banner 4X12X40 on Weaver bases and rings. 

I recommend disassembling it and giving it a good cleaning.  Mine contained a great deal of packing lube/oil. 

Good luck and keep us posted on your results. 
 

[smittty]

Congrats on the new rifle.  I like fixed power scopes and feel the 4x is a better choice than a 6x but feel the 8x has too narrow field of view for anything withing 100 yards.  If you contemplating 6x or 8x, I'd suggest the 6x.

Prior to the 10x sniper scopes that are currently in service, the US standard sniper scope was a 6x .  They hit their targets at distances far beyond what most of us will ever get a chance to even shoot.  European snipers still use 6x as the standard.

I have a Weaver V3 that I keep on 3x and I regularly hit the 8"plates out at the 300 yard mark.  You don't need high magnification to hit your targets.   

Show us a photo when you're done with the mods.

Smitty

[LaOtto222]

Congratulations on the new Stevens 200. I replaced the trigger on both of mine, but that is a personal choice. As far as the scope, and you want to stick with a fixed power (good choice I may add). If you are using it for hunting a 4X or 6X would be a good choice. If you are going to use it for longer range varmints, I think a 10X would suit you. In a fixed 10X for the money I do not think you could beat a Bushnell 3200 tactical 10X. They can be had for $170 - $200. As for the 4X or 6X buy the best one you can afford. Leupold's come to mind. They are usually compact and have longer eye relief than competitors with similar configurations. If Leupold's are out of your price range, then maybe a Burris Full Field II in 6X they are around $225 or so. A Nikon Buckmaster in 4X is around $170. If that is still out of you price range then maybe a Simmons ProHunter in 6X for about $85. Keep in mind that quality of the scope goes down with each suggestion. I have found that it pays to buy the best scope you can afford, do not scrimp on them. Pictures are brighter, sharper and they are more consistent with clicks and holding zeros.

[poncaguy]

I have 2 Weaver K6's.........$129.....excellent scopes!

[Davemuzz]

I'd go with the the Leupold Rifleman 4-12X. I had put the Rifleman 3-9X on my .243 ProHunter barrel and I'ts a good piece of glass. My next "project gun" is a Stevens action that will get a 6.5x55 Swede barrel on it. The 4-12X Rifleman will go on that one.

BTW, if you handy and you want to lighten that trigger (I have the 200 in 308) this site is helpful:  http://www.varminthunters.com/tech/savage/

Dave

[James8003]

Thanx for the replies and the congrats gents!
Oh man, do I love this little rifle!! I am completely staisfied with my results from Sunday's shooting. I put 80 rounds thru it and it likes dang near everything I threw at it. (Put's my Browning 25-06 to shame at 200 yards!)
The tightest groups are coming from Remmy 80 PSP's (1/2" at 100- 1 1/2" at 200), followed closely by Federal 85's BTSP with the Fusion 95's right there with the 85's. The Federal 100's were not tight at all for my liking, (1 1/4" at 100).  But the 85's proved to have the flattest trajectory. I still have much more testing to do, but this'll work fine for now.
Scope wise, presently I'm using a BSA 4X (Airgun scope) which is working fantastically for the moment. I agree with you smitty, I too prefer a 4X for 100 yards or less. I have three of these and find them to be a great scope for a very reasonable price. They list for $89 here in Canada. Yes, I do prefer a fixed power over a variable...I've looked at the Leupold 6X LaOtto and it has amazing optics. I want one, but they're $400 in my town....I thought about the 10X from Bushnell, but too much power I'm thinking, no field of view at lesser yardage, although I can pick one up for $200. The Burris 6 is a tad over $300. I'd like to see the optics on the Weaver poncaguy, but no one stocks the Weaver's in my area at all. Fork out the cash and they'll order it. Anyway, I'll proabaly wait until the new year to make a final decision.
Thanx for the link Dave. Great page, but for now have the trigger adjusted very nicely. It's a well balanced, smooth operating rifle. The stock is hanging in my shop drying right now...Went with just plain ole' black, but it looks great! I'm more than pleased with this Steven's. My first Savage. Have a feeling it won't be my last....22-250? Perhaps the .308? Hmmmm........

[LaOtto222]

The prices I was quoting you were mail order. I buy just about everything mail order, with the exception of guns, powder and primers. I do not want to pay the Haz Mat fees. If one was to order a large amount of stuff, even the Haz MAT charge would make it cheaper than buying locally. Back to scopes. A Leupold FX-2 4X is about $270, a Leupold FX-2 6X is $310, mail order. If you look around you might get them cheaper than that. A Burris Fullfeild II is $225 in 6X; A Nikon BuckMaster 4X is $170 mail order. You might find them a tad cheaper some where else. Save up and get one of these scopes, I do not think you can go wrong with any of them. The Leupold's are nice because like I said they are usually more compact and have a slightly longer eye relief than the competition. Of course they are made by a foreign company (USA) but hey, they are a very good scope and they do stand behind them warranty wise.

[James8003]

Mail order eh? Hmmm, gotta tell ya LaOtto, I've never had much luck with anything fragile through mail order. It's been a long time though since I last gave it a try. Maybe with our dollar being so strong right now, I should give it another shot.
Any place in particular you favour? How about these guys out of Texas?
http://www.swfa.com/c-16-rifle-scopes.aspx

[LaOtto222]

I have not dealt with those folks. They seem to be reputable. I have bought scopes from Midway USA, Mid South, Mizzou Mule Guns, and E. Arther Brown Company to name a few. I have never had a problem with any of them and the scopes have arrived with out any damage. I have ordered around 10 -12 scopes this way. If you have had problems in the past, just make sure they are insured and do not except the shipment if there is obvious damage. I do not know how they are shipped to Canada, but all of mine have arrived via UPS or Fed Ex. I am admittedly a cheap skate, that is why I buy just about every thing on line, with the exceptions noted above. I have bought a few smaller items at a local Walmart because their prices are near the price of same on line. Like scope mounts, slings and such. Bullets are dollars cheaper/hundred on line than at any local outlet. I have even bought several rifle barrels on line.

BTW the prices I quoted were from Midway USA. They are not necessarily the cheapest or best, but I can find things on their sight quickly, that is why I used them.

[James8003]

Thanx for the info LaOtto. I'll have a look at their site. UPS and Fed Ex are the main shippers here as well.

On a side note...after letting the black paint dry all week, just threw the 200 back together and is ready to go for the remainder of this year.

[LaOtto222]

What paint did you use? I have used Krylon Fusion Paint on my plastic stocks. I painted my first one semi flat black. I painted the other one a textured dark gray. It has some metal flakes in it, but does not reflect light. I really like it. I will probably paint the other stock the same before it is over. If you used Krylon ,they recommend a 7 drying period. You will be OK if you do not scuff it or bang it into any thing. Other wise it may chip. I know, because I got too anxious and chipped the paint at the edges a little, after a 1 day wait in dry 80 degree weather.

[James8003]

Yep, Krylon for me too. Works good in my experience. Went with more of a gloss finish with this one. Like said, wait a week if possible for best results.
I've used it for more than one project, including some old faded plastic cottage chairs. They're showing some abuse, but they get alot of abuse.
What I like is how easy it is to prep whatever it is you're going to paint. A few simple sprays of Windex window spray, wipe, repeat and paint. Can it get any easier?

[LaOtto222]

Nope It does not get much easier, fine results too.

[Old English]

When it comes to ordering scopes mail order, do not hesitate. I have bought at least 10 that way in the last 2 years. Swfa.com give great service and Midway just can't be beat. Much as I'd like to buy scopes from my local gun dealers, they have miserable inventories and extortionate prices. Only yesterday I ordered a fixed 4* scope for my wife's 243 at 3.45 am online. Come 8.30 got an email telling me it was out of stock, unusual but at least they let me know. I ended up ordering a Weaver K4, it'll arrive tomorrow. That is a 2 day wait, really can't fault that. Why drive round at $3 a gallon, pay over the top prices and sales tax, when a new scope is a mouse click away...... at a fraction of the price, vive l'internet!!!

[James8003]

Thx Old English, appreciate your input.  Same story here...No Inventory!! And of course what they do have is "better than what you want to order", right? Make the sale..priority one, (generally).