Author Topic: Convert 200 to single shot  (Read 1294 times)

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Offline Ranger J

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Convert 200 to single shot
« on: September 27, 2008, 03:54:44 AM »
I have a 200 in 223 that will not load regularly.  I saw where some people are converting theirs to single shot.  As this would be fine for me as I use this gun primarily for target shooting, I ordered a piece from Mid Way that was to make this conversion and it said no gun smithing required.  When I got it I learned that this is for a removable magazine only and to use in a blind magazine like the one the 200 has it is necessary to remove the action.  This is my problem as I am not handy with either guns or cars and every time I have taken a tool to either it has ended up costing me more than if I had taken it to a professional.  If it is, as it looks, all I would have do to remove the action is unscrew the bolt in the bottom of the rifle but I have visions of doing this and then seeing springs and such flying everywhere. :D  Can someone give me a heads up on this?

RJ

Offline LaOtto222

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Re: Convert 200 to single shot
« Reply #1 on: September 27, 2008, 05:12:47 AM »
I have done this to both of my Stevens 200 223's. There are two screws that have to be removed. One just in front of the trigger guard and the other just behind the recoil lug. You will need a 5/32" Allen wrench for these screws. This is the only tool you will need. When you take the action out of the stock, the magazine spring and follower (attached together) will come out of the magazine well or maybe fall out. No big deal, just note which way the spring is facing so you can put it back in the same way. The first bend faces backward, the end of the spring faces forward. There are slots cut on either side of the follower that match up with the magazine well to help orientate the spring/follower. Once you get the them out, with the action/barrel upside down, you drop the load tray into the magazine slot. It is tapered and there is a slot on both sides that will match up to the magazine. The smaller end goes forward, with the cartridge groove facing the bolt (down with the action upside down). Some times it will drop into place and some times there is a little resistance, if there is, just push it all the way up into the magazine well. With the action still upside down place the follower/spring back into the magazine. The spring will be above the magazine well. Put the stock back on the action, in a straight down motion. While holding the stock and action together with one hand, replace the screws to took out earlier. This can be a little tricky, holding the action and trying to get a screw in. I usually use my cleaning cradle to hold the action while I put the stock back into place. I place a screw on the Allen wrench ahead of putting the stock back on and then just put it into the hole and tighten it up a little after the stock is pushed into position. It should stay together with just the one screw being in place, even if it is not real tight. The longer screw goes to the hole in front of the trigger guard. Snug down the front screw (the one toward the barrel) and then snug down the back screw. Now tighten the front screw down with as much force as you can with out stripping the head out, then the one on front of the trigger guard. When I say tighten down, I mean really tight, just do not strip out the head or break the screw. This sounds much more complicated than it really is. It is pretty simple and straight forward. I have no feeding problems at all and it is real smooth, almost as smooth as my Remington 700, which I converted to a single shot too. Good Luck and Good Shooting.
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Offline trotterlg

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Re: Convert 200 to single shot
« Reply #2 on: September 27, 2008, 03:06:45 PM »
However, if you really tighten down the screw in front of the trigger guard, and it is one of the plastic ones, it will break and you will have to find a new one, that is one flaw in the pillar bedding of the savage action, a metal screw tightenes down on a plastic part backed up by another metal part.  The good part is that you can then replace the plastic trigger guard with a metal one and life will be good.  Larry
A gun is just like a parachute, if you ever really need one, nothing else will do.

Offline LaOtto222

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Re: Convert 200 to single shot
« Reply #3 on: September 28, 2008, 11:06:37 AM »
You are correct. I have replaced mine with SS ones. I forgot about the plastic trigger guards, another senior moment :(
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Offline Ranger J

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Re: Convert 200 to single shot
« Reply #4 on: September 29, 2008, 12:26:41 PM »
It took me two days thinking about it and about five minutes work to install it once I decided to go ahead.  It was real simple no springs and parts jumping around the room or anything. :D  It seems to operate real slick although I haven't had time to take it to the range yet, maybe this Saturday.  Thanks for the info.

RJ

Offline LaOtto222

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Re: Convert 200 to single shot
« Reply #5 on: September 29, 2008, 11:43:10 PM »
You will appreciate the smoothness and no feeding issues. Like I said simple and straight forward. Maybe this will give you the confidence to try some other customizing. Steel trigger guard, you will not have to worry about splitting the plastic one and you can get better torque on it. The plastic one could split over time with age and some pressure on it. Of course a new plastic trigger guard is cheap. A SS one ran me about $25 (I think). A new bolt handle; I put on SS BT style on both of my 200's and love them. Maybe even a new trigger, or a new barrel. There are lots of things you can do to your 200, or just leave it as is. ;D Of course we need a full range report ;D ;D
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Offline 3006bluffhunter

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Re: Convert 200 to single shot
« Reply #6 on: October 04, 2008, 10:51:33 AM »
anyone do this to a new center feed model! Make it a single shot! Something must have to be done with the cartridge holding lips on a centerfeed style? This is post 2007 and newer centerfeed models? I Would like to here more about these rifles converted to single shot drop in plate style! Thanks Dale

Offline Ranger J

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Re: Convert 200 to single shot
« Reply #7 on: October 04, 2008, 03:50:32 PM »
I ran about 15 rounds through the 223 at the range today with no problems..  I could almost toss them in and they chambered every time.  As for my shooting about 2 inches at 100 yards, about normal for me.  The gun is capable of better I know but I don't see as well as I once did.  That will still get groundhogs, armadillos or coyotes. :)

RJ

Offline LaOtto222

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Re: Convert 200 to single shot
« Reply #8 on: October 05, 2008, 02:29:26 AM »
anyone do this to a new center feed model! Make it a single shot! Something must have to be done with the cartridge holding lips on a centerfeed style? This is post 2007 and newer centerfeed models? I Would like to here more about these rifles converted to single shot drop in plate style! Thanks Dale

Here is link to a web site that makes the single shot trays, among other services. Their phone number is 505-292-5532 - call them and ask

 http://www.scorehi.com/

I have 2 of them for my older 200's and one for my Remington 700 - Good Luck and Good Shooting

I did some searching on their site, and they said the trays would not fit the new center feed magazines :( Maybe one could be modified or they will make one in the near future to work. Call them, maybe they could tell you what it takes to modify a tray to work with the new center feed.

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