Stevens Rifles

[IChaseCoues]

I'm wondering what kind of accuracy these rifles are capable of in factory form.

Of course all the little tricks like bedding, floating the bbl and quality handloads and glass are a given.

Are the barrels the same as the Savage rifles?
We have been told the short actions are the same as a Savage 10 without the Accutrigger, but does that mean the barrels are too?
Can MOA accuracy be expected?

Im thinking of a low cost,light weight, med ran<600yd), beater in maybe 7-08. Will be used for small deer, so the cartridge should be up to the task.
Any who have experience with these rifles please advise.

Oh, and this project would be kind of an experiment that may later become a donor action if plans change. I already have a LR rifle as well as a few for other purposes.

[reed mosser]

Same barrel and action as the regular savage, just no accu trigger. If you do use the action for a long range gun get a 4 ounce rifle basix trigger. If you get a good barrel a .25 inch gun bad barrel 2 inches.

[deerkiller]

Everything you could want to know about Savage & Stevens rifles.
http://www.savageshooters.net/SavageForum/index.php

DK

[Why not?]

I now have four of the Stevens 200 rifles. A 223 Ackley, 243, 7mm-08 and a 300 Win mag.

Got the 300 first, to use as a Skidoo rifle, because I was tired of beating up my SAKO and Husqvarna rifles on the machine while hunting caribou.

The 300 shot so well, under an inch with every bullet weight I tried in it, that I bought a 223 for wolves and coyotes. It shot even better, putting even factory ammo into half inch groups. [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shocked.gif[/img] I had Bill Leeper rechamber it to 223 Ackley, and it will put five 40 gr BTs at just under 4000 fps into half an inch almost every time I sit down and get serious with it.

I was truly amazed, so then got a 7mm-08 and it is a consistent 3/4 inch rifle. Last week I got a 243 and just shot two consecutive sub-minute groups with it a 300 meters. That's 327 yards, and the groups were well under three inches.

Remember, this is with factory stock rifles, no tweaking, unbedded, just have the triggers adjusted to break clean at around three pounds. Amazing!

Ted

[abinok]

Ill echo the comments above. You can expect the same thing from the stephens as you do the savage. Just the older tooling is all.

[IChaseCoues]

So, are the factory triggers worth a darn?
Read they were adjustable, but haven't heard if they were worth a hoot.
I wish they chambered it in 260 Rem. That would be a fun cartridge to try.
Now to find out how to lighten up the stock even more!
And maybe get the barrel fluted.
The quest is for 6lb with scope!

[Mysticplayer]

if you don't mind a heavy trigger, they work very well. All Savage parts will swap in so you can choose a variety of triggers from SSS, Timney, and Rifle Basix.

I have used both the SSS and RB and like them both. The RB #2 version gets BR light which I prefer. I have built several LR rifles using these actions and they work great.

Stocks are also wide open. I would bug the reg. stock makers of ultra light stocks. I bet they have some very light composite ones now.

As a factory rifle, they shoot crazy good. Just properly bed them, especially around the front lug if using the orig stock.

The trigger is the only weak spot and only if you want something under 2.5lbs.

Jerry