Had a cool experience last night.

jerry · 09-17-2006, 08:18 AM

I have a Stevens model 200 in 223. Iv'e had for about 6 months now. Iv'e got only 40~60 rounds through it. I like the gun ok, but it's NOt my Remington 700 BDL in .308. I noticed the bolt to be a bit stiff when closing it on a chambered round.

I took the Stevens & my ammo to my buddys house. We pulled bullets, got the calipers and dimension data out, sized some on his dillon ( I used RCBS) Basically, his ammo and mine pretty much colaborated the fact that nothing was wrong with the ammo. We got poking around and I noticed his A bolt in 223 was even a bit stiff. Well, it was to me anyhow. He realy didn't notice because it was normal to him. The more experience I get with other rifles, which are good mind you, the more I like the 700.

Well, here is the cool part. We wanted to shoot it with both of our ammo. It got dark by then. My friend lives out in the country, so really dark. Before anyone gets spooked. It's ok to shoot in the dark. He knows, his neighbors have called the law before.

We set up a target at his burn pile, about 50 yards from the picnic table in the yard. Set up a box with a target taped to it. He pointed his 18V flashlight at the target from an angle. I was scepticle, but the target looked better than the light of day. It was like shooting at a Light Bright (some may remember these

)

Both loads performed equalilly well with both of us shooting 3 shot groups with both ammo. Oh, the flame was cool too:flame: I need to get lower rings for the scope & the gun just needs the snot shot out of it. The Stevens trigger is no Savage accu trigger. I think with the slight amount of adjustability and cleaning it up a bit I cen get it manageable.

Big Dog · 09-17-2006, 05:10 PM

Jerry, you have to remember the "Stevens" is Savage's new Bargain line - no frills!

How's it shoot - accuracywise?

jerry · 09-17-2006, 05:44 PM

Hey ya Big Dog.

The gun shoots pretty well. I didn't really need a 223 for prairie dogs at 500 yards. For coyote @ 200 yards or so and paper punching it has decent accuracy. I took it to shoot with the .308 for the forum shoot. With the exception of a flyer, about 3" at 100 yards. I think the rifle is more capable than I am behind it. I need to get used to the trigger & lower the scope a bit. Once I get some rounds down range & get it broken in, I can work up a good load for it. Right now I'm loading the starting load in the book & doing some plinking to get comfortable with it.

Gio · 09-18-2006, 04:21 AM

Shooting at night would be cool. 3 in at 100 yards, is that scoped?

jerry · 09-18-2006, 06:18 AM

Hey Gio.
Yes, that is scoped. Still getting used to the scope. it's a 6x18. I have a 3x9 on the .308 the reticle is very fine on the 6x18 & I tend to overpower it to the point where I see a bunch of movement. Again the rings are too high as well. I can't get my cheek down on the stock well enough.

I have a few things to hammer out. Trigger, scope/mount, load development. Should be good from there. Then again, some guns aren't born to be one hole guns.

rdnckhnter · 10-05-2006, 05:44 PM

even tho it aint a one hole gun it still sounds great

Oxford · 10-05-2006, 05:51 PM

Jerry...thanks for the report. Don't have a .223 but that would be fun to shoot. Wish you were here to break in my Rem 700. It needs to be loosened up before mid November when MO's firearms deer season opens.

myarmor · 10-05-2006, 06:50 PM

3" at 100 yards?....humm is this only with one brand of ammo? Or one load worked up? I'm not trying to discourage you, by any means. But there is no reason this rifle should shoot such large groups, if all care is taken by the one behind the trigger. Have you checked all loose ends, like scope rail, rings, stock bolts, and the muzzle for any small burrs? Try a Q-Tip over the muzzle to see if any cotton frays, even a slight burr or nick can throw accuracy off. Or the barrel might need to be fouled. My first fouling shots for my 223s are all over the place. After 4 shots or so, it will bring them very tight.
If I checked everything over and am fully confident in my shoot ability, and handloads...and it still shot this way, It would be in a box back to the factory. Savage has great CS.
A 223 is an easy caliber to shoot, and a lot of fun, I love both of mine.

jerry · 10-05-2006, 07:31 PM

Thanks,
Just reloads thus far. I loaded a batch at the minimum load. Need to experiment some. The scope sits too high for my liking & the trigger needs some breaking in. I 'll try the Q tip trick, appreciate it. I also need to brek this rifle in. not many rounds through it so far.

freakingout · 10-11-2006, 04:27 PM

Sounds sweet.

jerry · 10-11-2006, 04:37 PM

Like your avatar

freakingout · 10-11-2006, 09:17 PM

Thanks. :] Wish I could see yours...stupid computer.

jerry · 10-11-2006, 09:26 PM

It's kind of crappy.

Says;
Blago
No More Years

He's our wondermous IL governor.

freakingout · 10-11-2006, 09:47 PM

I see, can't be too bad.

jerry · 10-12-2006, 06:28 AM

Hey another good one. Gray "Rambo" Squirrell

Johnny_Revolver · 10-12-2006, 07:17 AM

Couple of things to ponder from a fellow .223 owner, Jerry. Check your cases for a burr at the mouth, when you chamfer inside and out after case length trimming, just double check the burr on the out side, I had a similar problem. Fooling around with bullet seating is usually rewarding with the .223, get it out close to the rifling. I read alot of experts say their .223 `s shot with best accuracy when on the ragged edge of powder charge limits. I found this to be not the case, and neither have my .223 cronies at the range.
Nosler Ballistic tips... I smile even when I type that... Probably not the best kit for skins, they make short work of medium sized soft skinned game inside 200 yards, but are they accurate. Actually, looking at the damage inflicted by these lil terrors, and I favour the 50 grains, not the 55`s, and I`d have sworn I`d used my .308 such was the carnage.
Best part is, making a .223 bolt gun accurate ( and it should be, really ) won`t break the bank. Powder goes a long way, cases last, etc... I`d be looking to float the barrel on that Stevens. I just cut up an old credit card to make shims to sit between the stock and the posts, it works.. It`s always nice to see someone buy a .223 bolt action and have fun with it, there is a few of us at the local range who certainly are.

jerry · 10-12-2006, 08:27 AM

JR,
Thanks for taking your time for such good advice. I'll ahve to try some of the tips you propose. I have found 223 to be less foregiving than the .308. This just reinforces my love for the .308.

I'd like to try the Nosler ballistic tips. With the Stevens having a 1:9 twist, I'm thinking of trying something heavier than the 55 grain winchesters I'm using now. These are bulk projectiles BTW. I'm sure a better projectile will net better results.

The Stevens comes floated from the factory. I thought this was a nice feature on an economy gun.

That all said, I think the gun is more accurate than I am. Iv'e been short on trigger time lately. I just need to shoot more, especially that gun.

I'll keep ya posted on how I come out with it. I just might pick up a box of bullets today.

Thanks & have a great day

09-17-2006, 08:18 AM	#1
jerry Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Posts: 10,760 Trader Rating: (0)	Had a cool experience last night. I have a Stevens model 200 in 223. Iv'e had for about 6 months now. Iv'e got only 40~60 rounds through it. I like the gun ok, but it's NOt my Remington 700 BDL in .308. I noticed the bolt to be a bit stiff when closing it on a chambered round. I took the Stevens & my ammo to my buddys house. We pulled bullets, got the calipers and dimension data out, sized some on his dillon ( I used RCBS) Basically, his ammo and mine pretty much colaborated the fact that nothing was wrong with the ammo. We got poking around and I noticed his A bolt in 223 was even a bit stiff. Well, it was to me anyhow. He realy didn't notice because it was normal to him. The more experience I get with other rifles, which are good mind you, the more I like the 700. Well, here is the cool part. We wanted to shoot it with both of our ammo. It got dark by then. My friend lives out in the country, so really dark. Before anyone gets spooked. It's ok to shoot in the dark. He knows, his neighbors have called the law before. We set up a target at his burn pile, about 50 yards from the picnic table in the yard. Set up a box with a target taped to it. He pointed his 18V flashlight at the target from an angle. I was scepticle, but the target looked better than the light of day. It was like shooting at a Light Bright (some may remember these ) Both loads performed equalilly well with both of us shooting 3 shot groups with both ammo. Oh, the flame was cool too:flame: I need to get lower rings for the scope & the gun just needs the snot shot out of it. The Stevens trigger is no Savage accu trigger. I think with the slight amount of adjustability and cleaning it up a bit I cen get it manageable. __________________

09-17-2006, 05:10 PM	#2
Big Dog Moderator Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Tallahassee, Florida Posts: 10,071 Trader Rating: (0)	Jerry, you have to remember the "Stevens" is Savage's new Bargain line - no frills! How's it shoot - accuracywise? __________________ Moderator of: AR15/M16, M14/M1A, New/Beginning Shooters and Militaria/Collectables.

09-17-2006, 05:44 PM	#3
jerry Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Posts: 10,760 Trader Rating: (0)	Hey ya Big Dog. The gun shoots pretty well. I didn't really need a 223 for prairie dogs at 500 yards. For coyote @ 200 yards or so and paper punching it has decent accuracy. I took it to shoot with the .308 for the forum shoot. With the exception of a flyer, about 3" at 100 yards. I think the rifle is more capable than I am behind it. I need to get used to the trigger & lower the scope a bit. Once I get some rounds down range & get it broken in, I can work up a good load for it. Right now I'm loading the starting load in the book & doing some plinking to get comfortable with it. __________________

09-18-2006, 04:21 AM	#4
Gio Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 804 Trader Rating: (0)	Shooting at night would be cool. 3 in at 100 yards, is that scoped? __________________ Blow you up.

09-18-2006, 06:18 AM	#5
jerry Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Posts: 10,760 Trader Rating: (0)	Hey Gio. Yes, that is scoped. Still getting used to the scope. it's a 6x18. I have a 3x9 on the .308 the reticle is very fine on the 6x18 & I tend to overpower it to the point where I see a bunch of movement. Again the rings are too high as well. I can't get my cheek down on the stock well enough. I have a few things to hammer out. Trigger, scope/mount, load development. Should be good from there. Then again, some guns aren't born to be one hole guns. __________________

10-05-2006, 05:44 PM	#6
rdnckhnter Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: pennsylvania and new jersey right on the bored Posts: 182 Trader Rating: (0)	even tho it aint a one hole gun it still sounds great

10-05-2006, 05:51 PM	#7
Oxford Super Moderator Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Gladstone, Missouri Posts: 12,987 Trader Rating: (0)	Jerry...thanks for the report. Don't have a .223 but that would be fun to shoot. Wish you were here to break in my Rem 700. It needs to be loosened up before mid November when MO's firearms deer season opens. __________________ "If it's worth doing, it's worth doing right".

10-05-2006, 06:50 PM	#8
myarmor Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Southwest ,VA Posts: 1,147 Trader Rating: (0)	3" at 100 yards?....humm is this only with one brand of ammo? Or one load worked up? I'm not trying to discourage you, by any means. But there is no reason this rifle should shoot such large groups, if all care is taken by the one behind the trigger. Have you checked all loose ends, like scope rail, rings, stock bolts, and the muzzle for any small burrs? Try a Q-Tip over the muzzle to see if any cotton frays, even a slight burr or nick can throw accuracy off. Or the barrel might need to be fouled. My first fouling shots for my 223s are all over the place. After 4 shots or so, it will bring them very tight. If I checked everything over and am fully confident in my shoot ability, and handloads...and it still shot this way, It would be in a box back to the factory. Savage has great CS. A 223 is an easy caliber to shoot, and a lot of fun, I love both of mine. Last edited by myarmor; 10-05-2006 at 06:53 PM.

10-05-2006, 07:31 PM	#9
jerry Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Posts: 10,760 Trader Rating: (0)	Thanks, Just reloads thus far. I loaded a batch at the minimum load. Need to experiment some. The scope sits too high for my liking & the trigger needs some breaking in. I 'll try the Q tip trick, appreciate it. I also need to brek this rifle in. not many rounds through it so far. __________________

10-11-2006, 04:27 PM	#10
freakingout Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Opelousas, LA Posts: 118 Trader Rating: (0)	Sounds sweet.

10-11-2006, 04:37 PM	#11
jerry Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Posts: 10,760 Trader Rating: (0)	Like your avatar __________________

10-11-2006, 09:17 PM	#12
freakingout Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Opelousas, LA Posts: 118 Trader Rating: (0)	Thanks. :] Wish I could see yours...stupid computer.

10-11-2006, 09:26 PM	#13
jerry Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Posts: 10,760 Trader Rating: (0)	It's kind of crappy. Says; Blago No More Years He's our wondermous IL governor. __________________

10-11-2006, 09:47 PM	#14
freakingout Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Opelousas, LA Posts: 118 Trader Rating: (0)	I see, can't be too bad.

10-12-2006, 06:28 AM	#15
jerry Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Posts: 10,760 Trader Rating: (0)	Hey another good one. Gray "Rambo" Squirrell __________________

10-12-2006, 07:17 AM	#16
Johnny_Revolver Gun Liker Join Date: May 2005 Location: Queensland, Australia Posts: 1,200 Trader Rating: (0)	Couple of things to ponder from a fellow .223 owner, Jerry. Check your cases for a burr at the mouth, when you chamfer inside and out after case length trimming, just double check the burr on the out side, I had a similar problem. Fooling around with bullet seating is usually rewarding with the .223, get it out close to the rifling. I read alot of experts say their .223 `s shot with best accuracy when on the ragged edge of powder charge limits. I found this to be not the case, and neither have my .223 cronies at the range. Nosler Ballistic tips... I smile even when I type that... Probably not the best kit for skins, they make short work of medium sized soft skinned game inside 200 yards, but are they accurate. Actually, looking at the damage inflicted by these lil terrors, and I favour the 50 grains, not the 55`s, and I`d have sworn I`d used my .308 such was the carnage. Best part is, making a .223 bolt gun accurate ( and it should be, really ) won`t break the bank. Powder goes a long way, cases last, etc... I`d be looking to float the barrel on that Stevens. I just cut up an old credit card to make shims to sit between the stock and the posts, it works.. It`s always nice to see someone buy a .223 bolt action and have fun with it, there is a few of us at the local range who certainly are.

10-12-2006, 08:27 AM	#17
jerry Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Posts: 10,760 Trader Rating: (0)	JR, Thanks for taking your time for such good advice. I'll ahve to try some of the tips you propose. I have found 223 to be less foregiving than the .308. This just reinforces my love for the .308. I'd like to try the Nosler ballistic tips. With the Stevens having a 1:9 twist, I'm thinking of trying something heavier than the 55 grain winchesters I'm using now. These are bulk projectiles BTW. I'm sure a better projectile will net better results. The Stevens comes floated from the factory. I thought this was a nice feature on an economy gun. That all said, I think the gun is more accurate than I am. Iv'e been short on trigger time lately. I just need to shoot more, especially that gun. I'll keep ya posted on how I come out with it. I just might pick up a box of bullets today. Thanks & have a great day __________________