I wanted a cheap gun to practice my trigger pull and wind dope skill with, so I bought a Stevens .223 for $289. Before I ever shot it, I removed the trigger, bedded the action, reinforced the stock with two steel rods and devcon, and duracoated the action, barrel, and stock. Getting the trigger back on turned out to be a little harder than expected but I did manage ( will not try again). Also if you bed one, the action sets higher and you have to adjust the box magazine so it feeds properly. I finallly got it assembled over the weekend and took it out with a few handloads. I used 69gr matc kings and 25, 25.5, and 26.0 grains of Varget. I seated five shots at book max COAL and then five at .015 off lands for each powder charge. The first group came in just shy of .5 inches and clocked in at 2880 fps. I couldn't believe it because most of my guns don't shoot that well. Next, I shot the 25.0 group loaded to .015 off lands. To my disbelief the group measured .27 inches with an average speed of 2940. The 25.5, and 26.0 groups both were over 1" so they were ruled out. Thinking this was a fluke, I loaded up 20 rounds and went back out and shot another group around .25". I moved back to 400, adjusted my scope up 7 moa, and fired three rounds on my steel target.
I shot a few more at 500, hitting the steel every time. At 600, the wind picked up but I still managed 4 out of 6. To say that I am happy with this sub 300 dollar gun would be an understatement.
I shot a few more at 500, hitting the steel every time. At 600, the wind picked up but I still managed 4 out of 6. To say that I am happy with this sub 300 dollar gun would be an understatement.
