Stevens rifle action?

[stsimons]

So I am looking to build a new bolt action tactical rifle in .308 and I want to do it on the cheap. This will mainly be a range rifle to 600 yds. I looked into all the options and found I could buy a new Savage-Stevens action for around $240 (plus ffl fee of $25)

So... it got me wondering. Why is the Stevens action so inexpensive compared to the others? I know its a basic piece, but...

 

[TonyAngel]

What does that action include? Is it just the receiver or does it include the bolt and trigger?

From what I understand, the Stevens action is the same as the Savage, except that it is stamped "Stevens" instead of "Savage."

Where did you find Stevens actions for $240. I've been wanting to build a nice sporter rifle and this sounds like a good place to start.

 

[jogar80]

Why dont you just get a new, complete stevens rifle and mod from there? They are about $300, and Academy had a sale on them last december... $189!!! I'm waiting and hoping they do it again this year!!

 

[scythefwd]

buy a .308 stevens 200 for slightly less than that and get everything you need. A new stock,trigger, barrel, and recoil lug and you are talking a bench level rifle.

 

[jerkface11]

If you build a rifle don't use the factory recoil lug.

 

[jmr40]

Just buy a beater used rifle with the action you want to use. You can then sell the old barrel and stock to recover most of your costs. A lot cheaper than just buying the action. I've seen complete Stevens rifles sold at the big box stores right before hunting season for less than $200.

 

[BoilerUP]

If you build a rifle don't use the factory recoil lug.

Ya know, I've got a 10FP with a .260 Criterion barrel, and used a NSS stainless lug.

I've also got a 12FV that originally wore a 204 barrel, but was replaced with a 12FV takeoff 223 barrel of unknown round count. I didn't have another aftermarket lug, so I used the OE stamped lug that came with the rifle.

And the 12FV now shoots 5-shot groups into the 4s @ 100yd...so I'm not sure a stamped factory lug is a major detriment to accuracy. Then again, maybe I got lucky...

 

[jimmyraythomason]

If you build a rifle don't use the factory recoil lug.

Why? Honest question.

 

[scbison]

The factory Savage lugs are stamped and tend to be distorted and are usually .007 - .010" thicker at the bottom than at the top.

 

[jimmyraythomason]

The factory Savage lugs are stamped and tend to be distorted and are usually .007 - .010" thicker at the bottom than at the top.

Wasn't a problem when I converted my .223 to .243. I fully glass bedded the recoil lug into the stock. It's tight but no problems removing it. Unless you are going to a much more powerful round than the rifle was originally chambered for,I see no real reason to change the factory recoil lug (unless you just WANT to).

 

[jerkface11]

It's cheap insurance. I've seen factory lugs that were warped. He's building a rifle to shoot at 600 yards so every little bit helps.

 

[kludge]

How much are you going to spend on a barrel, stock, smithing, shipping, etc? Yes you can buy a whole rifle, but you'll probably only get $50-$100 for the stock and factory barrel.

Will it cost more than just getting a Savage 10FP or an 10FP HS Precision? Most likely. What are you going to do at 600 yards? F-Class? Why not just get the 12 F/TR from the get go? If it's just a range rifle and you'll never compete with it, the the 10FP will do fine.

That said I'm totally in love with my custom barrel, but it adds up quick. I did a "custom" rifle on the cheap last year. All told it cost me ~$800 using a new Model 11 FNCS as a donor; it will shoot 1/2" groups and is a breeze to clean. (I kept the factory stock and I'm holding on to the factory barrel just in case I ever get to hunt out west.) You can easily get a 10FP for that.

If I were building a 600 yard rifle I would forget about a Stevens action on just order up a Savage Target Action for ~$600, but then once you add a barrel and a stock you might be better off ordering up a 12 F/TR.

I'm not trying to ruin your fun, I'm just looking at all the angles.

 

[jimmyraythomason]

He's building a rifle to shoot at 600 yards so every little bit helps.

Good point.

 

[stsimons]

Hmmm... any thoughts on the model 10 BVSS in .308? For the projected price of my build I could just buy one outright!

 

[Skyshot]

Lets see I have a $300 dollar stevens model 200 in .308 with a timney trigger installed which was purchased for $79 dollars a bushnell elite scope and the elcheapo factory stock which I have bedded and the damn thing shoots 1/2 MOA even with the stamped recoil lug. I guess I came under budget. I wonder how much better I can get it to shoot if I spend another 5 or 6 hundred bucks on it?

 

[CJS06]

Look around for some deals. I picked up a Savage 12BVSS in .308 with low round count (it appears almost NIB) for $350. It had a BSA scope with no name bases and rings. I put and EGW 20moa base and decent rings and will spend my money on a decent scope...hopefully this weekend.

Good deals can be found as long as you dont mind putting in a little effort.