Author Topic: Stevens 200 questions (Read 3025 times)

myarmor · « **on:** September 08, 2005, 12:48:43 PM »

It's cool to have a forum for all Savage stuff now. GreyBeard is a kind fella for hooking us up.
Well ok I guess I'll start one then.
I have yet to actually buy a Stevens 200 but I am planing on it. I am hearing tons of great things from these budget priced rifles. I was asking questions on another forum about the Stevens back in March of this year, but no one had one and they weren't really out yet.
Anyway I know it's pretty much the old Savage just without the AccuTrigger. I have also heard that most stocks that fit a Savage 110 action will fit the Stevens 200.
Does this apply to aftermarket triggers too?
From what I have heard the factory trigger that comes with the 200 isn't that great, to say the least.
Also the barrel that it comes with, is it as good quality as a factory Savage rifle? I am guessing so. Just wondering where they made those cuts in order to get the price down
What caliber Stevens 200 do you have and how does it shoot?

kudzu · « **Reply #1 on:** September 08, 2005, 04:00:55 PM »

25-06 - Dime size groups at 100. Factory Fed. 117 gr. speer Hot Cor.
The trigger on mine is great. Very crisp. They are semi adjustable if you look at em close. Good Luck DM

mjbgalt · « **Reply #2 on:** September 08, 2005, 04:45:45 PM »

i bought mine and ordered it almost two weeks ago and i am still waiting for the shipment to get to the store. it is in .243 and when i get it and get the chance to shoot it i will let everyone know how it goes.

the one i did get to play with had a good trigger and most of all, it balanced very well, which seems to be the main thing i need to shoot anything well.

i was pretty happy with the one example i had to look at.

-Matt

myarmor · « **Reply #3 on:** September 08, 2005, 06:40:12 PM »

I am glad Savage introduced the Stevens 200.
With Savage's accuracy record, I think it's an excellent move on their part. Now with so many calibers to choose from for the same price, which to pick?
In one way I would love to have one in a 223, due to the rate of twist I could use for a heavier gr of bullet. Already have a H&R 223 Ultra, and am very satisfied with it's performance. Yet, for mine....and the availible bullets around me to purchase, only the Winchester White Box 45gr JHP shoot good in it. I would like the versility to shoot a little heavier bullet.
Then again I could opt for a bigger caliber I don't have already. Perhaps the 25-06 or a 7mm-08. Many choices.
What do you guys think of the stock?
I am not partial to the gray, but you can always paint it.

mjbgalt · « **Reply #4 on:** September 09, 2005, 02:48:59 AM »

the stock fit well and is shaped nicely to fit me but it has mold marks on it and seams are sharp and rough still....think someone called it flashing.

nothing five minutes with sandpaper cant fix and i plan on camouflaging it anyway.

-Matt

myarmor · « **Reply #5 on:** September 09, 2005, 06:00:31 AM »

I wish Hogue would make a Rubber Overmold stock to fit Savages. I love the Overmold.

mjbgalt · « **Reply #6 on:** September 09, 2005, 03:09:43 PM »

i still dont have my gun yet as the shop was closed tonight for an auction.

i am trying to decide if i will be getting my money back and telling them to get their crap together or i will buy elsewhere. thats really annoying to pay everything up front and be told a date and then a week later it still isnt there and they act like it might just show up at anytime. like you dont know when a truck full of guns is going to deliver.

theyre an amish gun shop and i like them for their honesty and friendliness and eagerness to help me find what i want. but this no phone, no schedules stuff is annoying as heck.

i am going tomorrow morning to see if its in. if not i will get my money back and go to the gun show in Medina and see what i find. i will own a savage or stevens in .243 this weekend one way or another. lol

-Matt

myarmor · « **Reply #7 on:** September 09, 2005, 07:04:24 PM »

No doubt. I hear ya.I would be rabid to if I were in your shoes. It feels like torture to have to wait on a new rifle, especially when you have been so hyped to get it. Best of luck to ya Matt. I hope you get it tomorow.

poncaguy · « **Reply #8 on:** September 10, 2005, 04:35:58 AM »

I have 2, a 7mm-08 and a 25-06. Adjusted triggers, 25-06 shoots MOA, still working with the 7mm-08. Great hunting rifles. SSS makes triggers for them and the Savage stocks will fit them.

mjbgalt · « **Reply #9 on:** September 10, 2005, 12:57:48 PM »

well the answer was no again, and i was right. the UPS truck was there but after they closed for the auction. grrrr...

they have been good to me before and so i couldnt make myself say "hell with it, i want my money back" so i didnt.

so now its monday, two weeks after i ordered it. i could have driven a few more miles and paid $20 more for it and had it immediately. i may just do that next time and avoid this crap.

i saw a great stock design at the gunshow today though. it was black with white lines in it to break up the outline. i think thats what mine is going to look like.

once again, if i ever actually own this rifle i will post range results lol.

-Matt

PEPAW · « **Reply #10 on:** September 12, 2005, 03:39:36 AM »

Well, have you decided on scope yet? I would be shopping for that paint, too. Sounds like you have decided on your pattern.

How about the ammo? I am trying to keep your mind busy while you are waiting!

I want a new 200 project, but it will have to wait till next year's hunting budget. I am way, way over this year. :roll: New binocs, new cabin at the hunting grounds, four wheeler repairs, 2 new binocs, etc., etc.

pepaw

myarmor · « **Reply #11 on:** September 12, 2005, 06:40:45 AM »

Oh-well. I hope you get it soon Matt. But PEPAW makes a good point keeping yourself busy will make it go buy a little faster, that is unless your thinking about it all the time

.
What are you scoping it with? What is your main use for it going to be, deer, varmints, both?

Arick the Red · « **Reply #12 on:** September 12, 2005, 09:56:23 AM »

Obviously the Stevens 200 is a budget gun, but like most of you I've heard nothing but good things, so being on a budget that's the direction I went. Unexpected bills have kept me from paying the rest down on my 25-06. It seems like I'm at the gun shop about every other day looking at it. I don't like the gray stock, and will probably repaint it after I sand down the rough "molding lines."

Anyhow, I have heard that the trigger is good then I've heard that it isn't. So if any of you have any info about your trigger, feel free to share. Also, how do you modify a "bad" trigger?

Arick the Red

:-D There really should be a support group here for situations like mbjgalt's and for other guys with rifle woes, or guys like myself who have wives that just don't get it. :-D

i guess this is the support group

mjbgalt · « **Reply #13 on:** September 13, 2005, 07:26:52 AM »

i got it at the shop last night but they didnt have mounts for it. i went to wal mart. no mounts. i went to the gun shop. no mounts. finally, this morning, i drove 30 minutes to my favorite store, Fin Feather and Fur, and they had 'em. i mounted a 3-9x40 Bushnell Trophy scope with millet rings (i avoid the scope killing torque in these rings by taking the screw out of the same side of each ring and tightening them the same amount on the same side of the scope. works great.)

my stevens 200 .243 shot a 3 shot group with 75 grain hollowpoints into a half inch at 100 yards after a few "finding the range" shots.

it gets hot fast due to the thin sporter barrel but when i let it cool it resumed shooting tiny groups. i am very happy.

i used a sharp pocketknife to trim the flashing and mold marks off the stock and then used steel wool to smooth it out. feels great.

I am very impressed. this $279 rifle shoots better groups than my bull barrel $500 encore.

I may need to buy more of these things. lol

-Matt

so all the problems and waiting are over and it was worth it.

Arick the Red · « **Reply #14 on:** September 13, 2005, 07:38:10 AM »

How did the trigger feel? I'm guessing it was fine based on your first impression of the rifle.

mjbgalt · « **Reply #15 on:** September 13, 2005, 07:48:38 AM »

the trigger was heavy out of the box but removing the bolt in the forearm and the front trigger guard screw, i took the barreled action out of the stock.

on the right side above the trigger there is an aluminum screw with a spring running from it to the back of the trigger.

give this a few turns with a screwdriver, counterclockwise, to lessen the pull. it took 2 full turns or so to get mine where i wanted it.

i then assembled it and bounced the buttpad on the floor a few times and squeezed the trigger with the safety on to see if it would go off. it didnt.

all done.

and to answer the guys who asked what its for...coyotes and groundhogs and paper for now. unless i can sneak out of work to go to WV.

You think maybe a cardboard cutout of me would fool the boss for a few days? lol

-Matt

Norseman112 · « **Reply #16 on:** September 13, 2005, 04:41:23 PM »

I shoot at the range a lot with some friends and a
friend of mine is a savage shooter and when I bought my .223 stevens 200 he offered to put a sharp shooter trigger in it. I thought ok what the heck, and told him go for it. My .223 is a sweet heart and shoots dime size holes

To be fair perhaps I did not need the trigger, but I do like it.

Norse

mjbgalt · « **Reply #17 on:** September 14, 2005, 11:14:01 AM »

only one thing i dont like that i have found...the barrel is a pencil thin deal and it gets hot fast and doesnt cool down very fast. it also starts patterning like a shotgun if you shoot it while its still warm.

cold barrel? tiny little groups.

-Matt

handirifle · « **Reply #18 on:** September 30, 2005, 07:37:21 PM »

Quote from: myarmor

In one way I would love to have one in a 223, due to the rate of twist I could use for a heavier gr of bullet. Already have a H&R 223 Ultra, and am very satisfied with it's performance. Yet, for mine....and the availible bullets around me to purchase, only the Winchester White Box 45gr JHP shoot good in it. I would like the versility to shoot a little heavier bullet.

That is exactly why I sold my H&R's off and got savages. My 223 Ultra was very accurate, but with a limited selection.

I bought a 11FL in 223. Took it to the range once time so far to sight it in. Once zeroed, I shot three different loads, two handloads, one factory (Win white box :grin: ) Bullet weights were, 40gr Vmax, handload, 55gr Vmax, handload and 45gr WWB. All three hit the same place in the bull, and largest group (3 shot) was 1 1/8".

My 17 HRM Savge 93 does the same thing with 17 and 20gr loads. I'm glad I made the switch.

The H&R's are fine rifles, but my first love of the bolt gun has been very true to me.

I have only owned one other bolt gun besides Savages, a rem. I currently have 3 savages, have owned 4. I'll buy my fourth one back soon. I have never been left wanting in the accuracy department with any of them.

Hope yours comes soon.

myarmor · « **Reply #19 on:** October 01, 2005, 05:17:56 AM »

Glad to hear you got your rifle Matt and are happy with it. :grin:

Well, Handirifle, I love my H&R's and don't really want to sell them off. But I have always loved bolt action, and it would be very nice to be able to have a wider range of bullet gr to shoot. It's looking now like a question of when and not so much if. Probably be awhile though, start of next year perhaps. And I agree, I too have a Savage 17 FVSS-awesome rifle and likes any ammo I feed it so far.

stolivar · « **Reply #20 on:** October 05, 2005, 03:11:06 PM »

I sold all of my old handi's and went with nothing but savage and stevens. will not go back either.

steve

tacshooter · « **Reply #21 on:** December 03, 2005, 04:08:52 PM »

For $249.99 + Tax I have a 7mm-08 Tack Driver. WHAT A DEAL!

Tacshooter :sniper:

kiwi98j · « **Reply #22 on:** December 03, 2005, 07:38:00 PM »

Here's a link to detailed instructions for adjusting the pre-accutrigger "Old Style" Savage trigger which is used on the Stevens 200.

http://www.savageshooters.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=863

You might want to take a few minutes and visit the "Articles" section at the top of the homepage and the FAQ thread in the forum. If you want to know about bolt disassembly & repair, adjustments, stock swaps, caliber & barrel changes, best loads, member's custom guns, etc. - Savage Shooters.net is where you'll find it.

Slamfire · « **Reply #23 on:** December 04, 2005, 11:32:23 AM »

Quote from: mjbgalt

thats really annoying to pay everything up front and be told a date and then a week later it still isnt there and they act like it might just show up at anytime. like you dont know when a truck full of guns is going to deliver.
.... but this no phone, no schedules stuff is annoying as heck.
Matt

I feel your pain, I ordered a lefthanded .22 (Savage/Lakefield) from the largest gun seller in the region. When it arrived it was a single shot, no magazine. I had it returned, and paid even more money for the clip fed model. The difference was that if I'd call, I was always told call back tomorrow, the phone answerer didn't even look. Finally I told them I couldn't call back everyday, it's costing too much. Then I found out the rifle was there. When I did show up, I asked for my money back, and haven't even driven past that place again. :x

DaveP · « **Reply #24 on:** December 14, 2005, 03:11:20 PM »

Quote from: tacshooter

For $249.99 + Tax I have a 7mm-08 Tack Driver. WHAT A DEAL!

Tacshooter :sniper:

What ammo does yours prefer? I'm thinking of getting one in 7-08,for the kids.Thanks,Dave

PEPAW · « **Reply #25 on:** December 15, 2005, 02:41:41 AM »

Quote from: stolivar

I sold all of my old handi's and went with nothing but savage and stevens. will not go back either.

I will sell my handi as soon as I can. It has been a pain for someone like me who doesn't have the time to "tune" it correctly. I bought the Stevens because I knew it would shoot very well with only a trigger adjustment.

pepaw

poncaguy · « **Reply #26 on:** December 15, 2005, 04:55:24 AM »

Got a nice Kansas doe at 291 yards with my Stevens 200 7mm-08 last day of season............perfect shot, took out both lungs............

06shooter · « **Reply #27 on:** December 16, 2005, 04:33:02 AM »

I thought that I would mention that the Bass Pro Shops near me advertised Stevens 200 rifles in 30-06 and 270 only for $199.88. I don't remember how long the add lasts.