Stevens 200 build up advice

[Heronion]

Hello guys, this is my first post on this forum, so here goes:

I have Savage Arms Stevens 200 in .308 (short action) that I'm building into a long range rifle. My progress so far is I've got a Bell and Carlson tactical stock (for the centre feed 4.41" receiver screw spacing), a Harris bipod, and of course all the little things like tactical bolt handle, sling, etc.

First thing I'm looking at is a heavy barrel. I was thinking of ER Shaw (because of the low price) but I've heard a lot of negative stuff about them, aside from the assertions that they don't have that high of quality to begin with. So now I'm looking at a Barrel from Douglas (also considering Shilen, but second to Douglas). If anyone has any experience with either of those makers, especially with a Savage, your two cents would be greatly appreciated.

Next is the mount. Right now I have the stock bases (two piece) but I'm looking at a one piece. Do any of you know where a one-piece scope base can be had for a Stevens 200 short action?

Finally I'm looking for some decent optics. I currently just have a Leapers on it (I know, I know) which works pretty well, but I don't think it's up to snuff for the large dialing and returning that is needed for long range shooting. I'm trying hard to not break the bank on this one. I'm looking for a scope AND rings for under $400 if I can. Right now I'm considering Millet. Does anyone have any scope/ring ideas for my price range?

Thanks!

 

[bohem]

Re: Stevens 200 build up advice

Barrel: Keep the original and see how it shoots before you do anything. My OEM Savage barrels have shot very well, especially with handloads.

Handloading: If you don't handload already, take the barrel money and get into handloading your stuff. At $2+ a round for match 308 ammo, it only takes about 200 rounds to make up $300 in saved costs. I assemble match 30-06 ammo for 60 cents a round or less, depending on the bullet.

Scope/Rings/Base: What are you planning to do with it? A good set of rings and a Tasco 2.5-10x42 MilDot and Target Turrets or the bigger brother 6-24x Mil Dot and Target Turrets will be around 100 bucks, get good rings like the Burris XTR's ($60/pair) and a base from EGW ($40) you can get into a capable scope/rings/base package for about 2 bills.

I have several of those 2.5-10's and I would never consider them in the same league as my NF's but they certainly get the job done for some of the shooting I'm doing. Mine all track true, repeat to a zero and have had no problems. I've shot several hundred rounds of 30-06 under one to see how it would hold up, then knocked it around on my AR15 for another 1000 rounds, it's now about 5000 rounds into my 22 bolt action that I use for dialing from 25-400y.

Trigger: If you don't already have an accutrigger on the rifle, you should go put a Rifle Basix or similar aftermarket, adjustable trigger on there.

I have no experience with ER Shaw barrels. Douglas and Shilen are both excellent, I like Shilens, and I would consider them second to none. This topic has started to crop up lately, but the biggest consideration is whomever is chambering the new barrel for you is more likely to screw it up somehow than you are to get a bad barrel from Shilen, Douglas, Hart, Kreiger, Bartlein, etc etc etc. If you get it to a good gunsmith you have nothing to worry about.

I still think you should hold off on buying a new barrel and have some trigger time with the factory barrel. Learn to reload, and work out a load for this rifle. There's a TON of experience on the forum for all of the above questions, I've tried to address them in a very budget minded manner.

For optics, I may catch some flak about the Tasco's but in my experience, that particular model line of scopes happens to be a great value for the money and it will allow you to save money for more loading supplies, eventually a new barrel/action blueprinting job, and high end optics like a NightForce, USO, S&B, etc.

Remember that you can have the best rifle in the world, with the best ammo, scope, rings, ballistic calculator, etc but if you don't have the trigger time, you're still not going to be successful.

Welcome to the 'Hide.

 

[Heronion]

Re: Stevens 200 build up advice

Thanks for the feedback. As to the barrel I currently have, the main problem is that it's the light sporter barrel, and as I put a hundred rounds or so through it each time at the range, I'm looking into a heavy barrel.

As to the trigger, it may surprise you to know the the non-Accutrigger on the Stevens is fully adjustable. I currently have it set at about 3.5 pounds, but I can put it as low as 2-2.5 (normally they come set at 7-9 pounds). I'm actually very please with the trigger as of now.

Right now I'm kind of taking your advice on the optics (that will be the LAST upgrade I will make, much later). As I've said, inside 500 yards I think my Accushot will get the job done.

And I'm taking your advice about reloading into consideration. For me, shooting under 500 yards, I can get sub-M.O.A groups with cheap surplus ($0.35/round), but once I get into long range shooting, I am going to consider reloading. As you say, it will save quite a bit of money.

I appreciate the advice of wiser shooters, thanks!

 

[fdkay]

Re: Stevens 200 build up advice

Do you have the tools to swap the barrel yourself?
I have researched ER Shaw and found many glowing reviews.
I would imagine that their barrels are probably better than most factory barrels. They are not marketed as hand-lapped match grade barrels, but they have a pretty good rep. I would imagine firing a treatment of Tubbs final finish would give you the results you want.
Shaw has been around quite a while and they have a very good reputation as far as CS goes.
When I get some bills paid off, I am going to buy a stevens long action as a base for a build and I will most likely put an ER Shaw tube on it.
I have a millet TRS-1 and burris XTR rings on an egw base. Scope, rings and base will set you back a total of about 400 dollars. It is a very good setup.

 

[mwroseberry]

Re: Stevens 200 build up advice

My current rig is as follows:

Stevens 200 in 308
SSS bolt handle
B&C Medalist
EGW 20MOA base (needed if you're shooting past 800)
TPS low rings
16x42 Super Sniper
Easy bolt open kit

See my sig for how I'm shooting. As for barrels I'm going to be buying a Walter barrel can have it cut down to 20" and recrowned. Handloading is what you need to do for now. I can make match grade hand loads for $12.00 a box of 20. Compared to $60.00 for 20 of lower quality. You can get a Lee handloading kit from Midwayusa for ~$100.00 and a powder trickler and calipers and you have everything you'll need.

Don't go low ball on the optic. The burris 3200 tactical 10x is the cheapest I'd go. They run $200.00. I would highly recommend either the 10x or 16x super sniper. I'm absolutely in love with mine. I am still running my noodle barrel and can hold 1/2MOA all day with my rig. 3 fast shots for warming the barrel and one every 1.5-2 min afterwards.

I'm waiting on my VA benefits to kick in and I'm getting my barrel with that money. Here is a list of what will help you the most with your rig.

Stock (you already got)
handload for your rifle (every one is different)
Scope (rings and base at same time. Get good rings, base is fine with the EGW just use blue locktite on the screws.)
when that is done go for the barrel.

PM me if you want any further info.

Good luck,
Merritt

 

[bohem]

Re: Stevens 200 build up advice

I wasn't aware that the non-accutrigger was adjustable, and adjustable down to 2-2.5lbs. In that case, I will retract my statement about the trigger. Keep it by all means.

The barrel, however, I don't see a point to replace yet.

I shoot a light sporter contour barrel in 223 that was a take-off from a gunsmith on this forum. It was a new, 0 round count barrel that I bought for a song and I was going to be pleased if it shot 1.25 MOA, much to my surprise, with bulk grade components I shoot MOA to 500y, and with good handloads it runs 1/2 MOA at 400y. Each range trip is anywhere from 85-175 rounds, and a couple of times I've had it hot enough that I can't touch it. It's certainly not great for the barrel, but I wanted to see what would happen if I whipped on it a little.

The heavy contour OEM barrel this Model 12 came with is a 204 Ruger and I've printed several 100y groups in the .2's using handloads. Average group size runs in the mid 0.3's

All that being said, your rifle is different than mine, my advice is simply to see how it shoots. You said you can keep sub MOA groups at 500y with surplus ammo. If that's the case, I don't see any reason to change barrels, that ammo is 1-2 MOA ammo generally, you're doing just dandy with it and the rifle supports my advice, don't fix something that isn't broken.

The optics advice I gave is the cheapest route I'd advise any one to go. The SWFA Super Sniper Line might be a touch out of your price range for the variable power models, but a 10X fixed power model is a great scope. The people who have them really like them. 10x is plenty for tactical shooting at 500y, I run a 10x Tasco (mentioned above) on an AR15 and dusting 6" plates at 500y can be done with surprising frequency.

 

[Greg Langelius *]

Re: Stevens 200 build up advice

I have had four of the Tasco 6-24x40 MilDot scopes for over four years now, and I am still quite happy with them. They are not in the same brightness class as more costly optics, and I did manage to get some reticle 'stickiness' in sub-freezing weather, but for the price, I'm still happy.

I agree, unless your particular Savage/Stevens barrel exhibits some really bad habits, the basic factory barrels have good accuracy reputations. I've had some 'walking zero' issues, but only when I got the barrel probably a good bit hotter than I should have.

I've got two identical Lothar-Walther barrels on my serious guns, and consider them first rate, and not overly pricey, well worth the cost. You can save some money fairly safely with Pac-Nor from what I've seen with friends' rifles. I don't know enough about E.R. Shaw barrels to say anything about them, either way. If you do go with a replacement barrel, there's some advantage to specifying a 'Savage Varmint Contour'. The various stock manufacturers can pretty much agree on what that means and provide a properly configured barrel channel.

The factory Stevens trigger is (or should be) pretty identical to the pre-AccueTrigger Savage. Adjustable, yes, and I've shot them a lot in comp; but I think there's a lot better available, and suggest Sharpshooter Supply.

Whatever you do for a stock, take extra care to somehow or other establish a good and reliable, relaxed]/i] cheekweld; in proper alignment with the scope's image. Trying to get good accuracy without one can be a true nightmare.

Greg

 

[Bucksquirelly]

Re: Stevens 200 build up advice

I have a factory 223 varmint contour barrel, the factory 308 sporter barrel that came with it and a factory varmint contour 308 barrel for my Stevens. All 3 are excellent shooters, just as good as anything you could expect from ER Shaw, probably better. The sporter barrel shoots around .75 moa consistently, often times shooting under that. The heavy 308 barrel shoots in the .5s and .6s no problem and I'm not even done developing loads for it yet. The heavy 223 barrel shoots very consistently in the .4 and .5s with 69g SMK's and about the same with 50g vmaxes. Ive shot several groups in the .2s and .3s with both loads out of that barrel. I cant ask for better performance than that.
If you like to do a lot of shooting a heavy barrel would suit you best, it takes many more shots to heat it up than a sporter barrel does. My sporter only takes 3 shots and it get pretty warm to the touch where as I can put 10 shots through the heavy barrels and be at the same temp. Just keep an eye out for a used or new factory take off barrel in classified sections. I bought the 2 varmint contour barrels from guys over on Savageshooters.com. for very reasonable prices. 100$ for the 223 barrel and I just picked up another varmint contour 308 barrel for 40$ that I'm gonna cut down to 20 or 22 inches.

As far as optics I've heard very good things Super Sniper scopes and they are reasonably priced. I have a Vortex Viper on my stevens and I love it but it would be just a little out of your price range although it would be worth the couple extra bucks. Nikon makes some nice scopes in that price range as well.

 

[AXEMAN]

Re: Stevens 200 build up advice

just a note on the tasco line. get the target knob models. with the exposed turnable type. ive never had one, but i did get the varmint one that had caps with knobs underneath and it was really not good. elevation wobbled and actually contacted the markings as it rotated and scraped it off as it turned. sent it back. i would try the target knob ones as the scope was not bad except for what i mentioned


EGW for a good base that wont break the bank. try optics planet, the will ship for free. reload for the money savings and increased accuracy from load development. shillen is good, they make a drop in ready to go barrel as well as mcgowen. for barrels you should talk with jim at northland as he has savage barrels on hand and ready to ship to you. both brands i mentioned as well as new factory take offs for a good price

http://savageshooters.com/SavageForum/index.php?board=64.0

search my posts for a few threads about savage and millett or search using savage or millett and you will find stuff thats usefull. search stevens too, few guys here with them. feel free to ask any questions

 

[seafire]

Re: Stevens 200 build up advice

My last 4 ER Shaw barrels have all been very tight shooters, better than any factory barrel I have had... the only down side is the very very long wait to get one.....

IT&D Gunsmithing out of Ohio, can set you up with a Douglas barrel, (cheaper than the factory I believe) with minimal turn around.

 

[PMPerformance]

Re: Stevens 200 build up advice

I've got ER Shaw barrels in .308/.264 win mag/.458 win mag and all been excellent shooters..The price is the best out there when it comes to Savage barrels.The wait time however sucks..Just order one and forget about it and one day the brown truck shows up and it's christmas..LOL

 

[Heronion]

Re: Stevens 200 build up advice

Thanks for all the input folks!

As far as barrels go, right now for me it's a toss-up between Douglas and EABCo. I know Douglas are supposed to be superb, but does anyone have any experience with EABCo?

 

[AXEMAN]

Re: Stevens 200 build up advice

i think from looking at eabco. and dont hold me to this, but do they make the barrel or have it made for them to sell? ive never heard anyone saying anything about an eabco barrel in use. also, jim has stuff in stock. thats gonna be shillen select match or mcgowan. he sells everyone he gets, they gotta be decent barrels either brand. just a tip if you dont want to wait

yup, eabco makes them. ill have to poke around there more. they say they have them in stock, swaop it yourself. its easy. i posted pics and a vid is on utube

 

[AKAce]

Re: Stevens 200 build up advice

All i shoot are Stevens / Savage, and the Pre Fit Shilen barrels are TOP Shelf... Don't over look them !

 

[AXEMAN]

Re: Stevens 200 build up advice

akace how do you like the bolt handles? mine was terrible. it was clunky. hit the action and rubbed the finish down to bare metal in four cycles of the action. ive got the stock one polished up and its pretty slick.

 

[Heronion]

Re: Stevens 200 build up advice

More good info, I appreciate it.

@AKAce, looks like you've got a B&C Medalist on the centre rifle in your picture. I just ordered one, how do you like it? Also where did you get your bolt handles from? I really am not a fan of the Stevens 200 stock handle.

Also @AKAce, how does that cheekpiece do for you (it's a Karsten, I believe?)? And lastly that butt stock pack on the bottom rifle--I've been looking at one, how do you like it?

Lastly @AXEMAN, how do you like the Millet scopes? I'm thinking of getting one for my build....