stevens model 200 .223

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MinnesotaFats

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hey folks, ive got an el cheapo savage stevens model 200 topped with a leupold 4x12 scope. i currently am shooting black hills blue box 55gr rounds and am getting 3" groups in decent weather. with my rem 700 .308 handloads i get .5" groups all day and have heard of folks getting these results from thier stevens 200's. does anyone own this particular rifle and if so what handloads/ factory loads will get er down to 1 MOA or better?? thanks all.
 
My Stevens 200 in .223 had a 1:9 twist rate rifling. It was a 5 shot/one holer @100 yards with 75 grain PPU Match ammo. It was MOA with everything I shot whether in 55,68 and 75 grn bullets,steel or brass cased.
 
If your twist is the same as this other guys gun 1:9 then maybe you should go with a heavier bullet. I would say at least jump up to a 68 gr bullet if not a 75 gr like the other guy is Black Hills or Hornady should be grouping well out of that gun so the gr weight must be wrong.
 
It was bone stock with Leupold bases and rings and a Simmons 44 magnum scope. I still have the action but it is no longer in .223.
 
Check to see if the bases or rings are slightly loose. It is a common problem.

I do not know how many rifles I have found where a base screw was not tight, causing much larger than normal groups.

Of course, a small nick in the crown can also do it.
 
i bought it brand new and the twist rate is 1:9 also. scope and base is properly mounted. i just ordered dies to reload for it but am not sure what bullet wieght to reload with. i thought 55's did well through 1:9... any suggestions there?
 
Dean could be right. I would check all the fasteners again. I was trying to sight in a 110 in 223 and it was grouping very large. Turns out every screw was loose on the scope , base and rings. Once we tightened everything up it started grouping right. Go ahead and check it again.

Keep the bore clean also . When they start to copper foul the groups will open up some too.
 
The 55 grn does better in a 1:12 twist barrel while the 68-75 grns work better in the 1:9. Try the heavier bullets to see if they aren't more accurate. You can rebarrel it to another twist rate if you want.
 
Right , faster twist bigger bullet. The length of the bullet is actually what makes the difference. More gr weight = more length. They are all .224 so extra material has to go somewhere so it causes the bullet to be longer.

If the scope is indeed tight everywhere then I would assume there may very well be something wrong with he bbl. May need to send it back to Savage if the place where you bought it wont make it right.
 
thanks for the replies, will check everything over asap. one last thing.. does anyone have an accurate handload recipe for this particular rifle? i stole my .308 load of this forum (168 sierra hpbt 43gr imr 4064) and never looked back. any suggestions there?
 
Do some searches in the reloading section. There have a many many 223 load discussions. I would recommend just sitting down for a few hrs and readind some of the longer threads from top to bottom. I haven't been in the reloading section in a while , but take my word for it that there are some pretty salty handloaders posting in there. I would read some that discuss a lot of the theory behind rolling your own accurate rifle ammo. The more you know about it , the more accurate the ammo you can make. Little things like seating depth can make a big difference. I like to seat mine just deep enough to barely fit in the magazine of my bolt guns. Sit down and try to digest as much of the info as possible.
 
Start a thread like What Makes Accurate Rifle Ammo? . I think you will be surprised at the responses and the amount of people willing help educate you. I was looking for links to some older threads I had going and ones I had participated in for you to have easy access to, but it was turning into a pain in the rear.
 
A good load that works well in one Stevens 200 may be horrible in another. Every rifle is a law unto itself. I agree that you should double check your mounts and try a heavier/longer bullet.
 
Did you break in that new barrel or just clean and start bang'n away. I have a 200 stevens that's also a 1/2" rifle but I did change to a rifle basix trigger for a better lighter pull. Fire 25 rounds doing kreigers barrel breakin before ever worry'n about group. My ammo is a 68gr bullet.

Alway have back up ammo to try too. Different weight and maker.
 
I had the Savage 10FP in .223 a few years ago. Mine would put the 69 gr Noslers in a pretty small hole all day long. Anything else would open up to about 1".

My friend has the Stevens and his also would do the same with the 69 gr Nosler. Unfortunately I bought the gun for varmint hunting with lighter bullets and ended up selling it.
 
I have the same rifle. Bought it new as a inexpensive bolt .223. I shoot 55 grain Winchester and 60 grain partitions. The rifle is surprisingly accurate for the cost. Only complaint is the heavy trigger. Stock isn't great but serviceable. Never measured groups but I would bet it is close to MOA. I have been very satisfied with my purchase and intend to replace the trigger some day.
 
I now have a Basix trigger,a Nikon pro-staff(camo) and a Savage camo synthetic stock on mine. I converted it from .223 to .243 win. and then to .308
 
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