Stevens 200 Build or Reloading Setup.. Need Answers!

[Itsricmo]

I have recently bought a Stevens 200 and plan on making it a Budget Build rifle.

Specs:
Short Action
.308 (1:10 Twist)
22" barrel
Slightly Reinforced Original Stock

I have been shooting 180 grain Federal Power Shok's out of it and have been getting decent accuracy, for the Factory Barrel that is. Minute of Soda Can, or 1.5 - 2 inches @ 100yds. Now, so far I have only been shooting within 200 yards and only at Ground Hogs/Whistle Pigs/Ground Chucks... you get the point.

I have a tight budget right now and am torn though, I want to build the rifle but also want to have my own reloading set. I currently can only have one or the other. For the Stevens it would most likely be a Boyds or Stockys Laminate Stock with an E.R. Shaw 24" 1:10 twist barrel. Updated rings and maybe better than current Bushnell Glass.

My dilemma is, if I can reload and get better accuracy out of the Factory barrel, I would certainly get the Reloading Setup and postpone the build. I do have other Rifles I could reload for but would Primarily reload for the .308


Is the Factory Barrel worth reloading for?
or
Should I consider the Build?


Thanks
Rick

 

[DrMike]

Rick,

Welcome to the forum. Before investing in a rebuild of your rifle, I would encourage you to invest in the reloading set-up. Among other things, as your financial situation improves, whether in the immediate future or at some point farther ahead, you will be set up to maximize accuracy on whatever rifle you may buy/build. I would think that you should be able to improve accuracy considerably with judicious care in hand loading. Again, welcome to the forum and keep us posted on what you decide.

 

[SJB358]

I am with Mike. Handloading will probably get that rifle where you want it.

 

[BK]

Definitely do the reloading setup. You WILL NOT save money, but you will be able to shoot a heck of a lot more, plus being able to tune your loads, or use the exact bullet you want to...

 

[Guest]

I'm with the other fellows on this one - get the handloading setup. In fact, check Craigslist around your area for the next few weeks and see what you can find. There's a Rockchucker setup on my local craigslist for $450 right now, but it includes about 1200 bullets (mostly .224) and brass by the pound, as well as dies for three or four cartridges, and other extras.

As has been said, you won't save money, but you'll shoot more ammo, that ammo will potentially be better-matched to your rifle, and you'll find the time behind the trigger will make you a much better shot. Oh, and that's one other thing. On that Stevens, I suspect the factory trigger is a major limiting factor to getting the best from the barrel and action. You might consider swapping it out for an aftermarket trigger. That should only cost about $100 or so, and if you're capable of building the rifle, you can certainly change out the trigger.

Update on the aftermarket trigger:

http://www.midsouthshooterssupply.com/i ... 00213SAV1B

Less than $100 including shipping. And here's the install instructions:

http://www.riflebasix.com/SAV-1_Instructions.pdf

Seems easy enough.

 

[Itsricmo]

Well I guess the decision is Unanimous! I am looking at the Lee Challenger, Single Stage. I am relatively new to the reloading scene but I know that taking my time on each step will help me get better hand loads!

As for the trigger, my Father-in-law "tinkered" with the trigger a bit and its down to about 3lbs. I haven't tested it with a gauge but It's pretty close! The pull before was like snapping a 2x4 in half, pretty hard and rough!

Since everyone says reloads, any good bullets? I was looking at Nosler Ballistic Tips and Barnes TTSX both in 180 grn. I also liked the idea of trying Sierra 240grn hahaha

 

[DrMike]

Is there a reason you favour 180 grain bullets over 165/168 grain bullets? Not that there is anything wrong with the heavier bullets; I'm just wondering why you tend toward the heavier bullets. The Ballistic Tip and the TSX are two different bullets. For deer and deer size game, the Ballistic Tip will give you excellent service. If you were hunting larger game (elk or moose for instance), the TSX (or a Partition, or an AccuBond, or an E-Tip) could be readily justified.

 

[akhunter]

Sell the stevens action and start over.

 

[Guest]

Hunter, no need to be negative. I'm not a Savage/Stevens fan, either, but the truth is, plenty of them shoot (likely a higher percentage than Remington...though that's not saying much...) and it's what he has.

As for the OP, I'm with Dr. Mike, as being curious why the lean toward heavy bullets? I shoot a 30-06 at white-tails and my bullet of choice is the 168gr Nosler BT. Unless you're going after something bigger than deer (elk/moose or African plains game) I can't imagine needing a 180gr in the 308Win. I'm betting Win748 or H4895 would be great choices for powder under the 165/168gr BTs. I can vouch for the performance on white-tails, by the way. I've been eating on one since December that fell to a 168gr BT out of my -06. She's almost gone now.

Not sure what your budget is, but you might consider this Lyman kit as an alternative to the Lee kit:

http://www.midsouthshooterssupply.com/i ... 0157810270

It has everything you'd need short of a case trimmer. Many people use the Lee trimmer, I use an RCBS. Lyman makes one as well, as do others. The Lee is dirt cheap, so it might be the best first trimming setup, and you can upgrade to a lathe model later on. You'll need a dial caliper ($20 - http://www.midsouthshooterssupply.com/i ... 00036MCD61). Beyond that, you'd be looking at needing dies and components. And I'll go ahead and suggest a hand primer (~$30-40 for the RCBS or Hornady tool), and a powder trickler (~$10 for Lyman or Hornady). Beyond that, pick up additional manuals as time and money allow. And know that you can get load info from most of the powder and bullet manufacturers at their various websites.

 

[Oldtrader3]

I went through this same exercise more years ago than I care to think about but: if you are going to buy a loading setup think it through for quality and durability. Loading sets do not wear out and they don't sell for nearly as much used as they do new. Buy some decent quality, it will pay in the long run.

For my own choice, I went with a RCBS Rockchucker Press and most of the rest is Lyman (Ohaus scale, powder measure, case trimmer, etc.). Plus, some other RCBS stuff like the powder trickler and hand primer tool. I bought my kit in 1964 and am still using it. I have bought a new Hornady case trimmer since then but everything else is still going and working just fine. I avoided Lee then because I did not think that the quality and durability was there, my opinion only.

Later, you may want a high production turret press and other stuff, like auto powder weigh and dispense. They can wait however and I still own and use the same set of tools that I did in 1964. The dies are Forster now but everthing else is the same. I still use this setup for all of my reloading from .204 Ruger to .340 Weatherby and even several revolver cases.

 

[BK]

I started with the RCBS Partner press, and I loaded a truckload of ammo on it, and would still be using it now except I was given a Rockchucker, and the bought a Redding T7. I admit to being a bit of a snob, but I can find no fault with either Redding or RCBS.

And yes, you jerk enablers are most likely going to talk me into a CoAx, too.

 

[DrMike]

What? :shock: You don't have a CoAx, Kurt? :shock: What's holding you back?

 

[Oldtrader3]

Kurt, it doesn't take long before the enablers circle like buzzards on a dead chicken. I have a little incantation that I use to ward them off! Especially Scotty since he started making Top pay!

 

[BK]

Freeing up money from rifle purchases, Doc.

 

[SJB358]

Freeing up money from rifle purchases, Doc.

Now, I cannot argue with that!

 

[Itsricmo]

Well I picked 180 grain over 165/168 because they have just shot better! I was getting over 4" groups until I tried out 180 grain Soft Points. Figure'in that my barrel likes the heavier end of the bullet spectrum! I would like to try 240 and 110 just to see what each extreme does. Maybe I will get lucky with the 110! Not Absolute overkill on ground hogs!

Between the bullet type, I would be using the Nosler BT for Whitetails and groundhogs, fox and coyote.. pretty general use round if it shoots well for me! The Barnes TTSX would be for possibly Black Bear and for sure Elk if I ever end out on the good side of the drawings for the permits!

I know the Stevens 200 action isn't the prettiest, however it does its job well! Rock solid and I feel once I do get a barrel that it will preform EVEN BETTER! The bolt is finally starting to be a little more fluent in movement.

As for my selection of press, my Grandfather has an RCBS and my Uncle has a Lee Challenger, both speak highly of their respective press and assured me that either would be an excellent choice. Both for my skill level at reloaded and "Bang for the Buck". I chose lee because for the extra little money I don't spend I can get .243 dies and 22-250 dies.

 

[sask boy]

Welcome to the forum Rick, I think you will enjoy it on this forum there are real good people here & their knowledge on the shooting sports is next to none.
I am with most of the others, I would invest in the loading equipment.
Speaking of loading equipment my Co-axial arrived in the mail yesterday, I hope to have it set up by the week. As I do believe that I have a certain young lady coming home that is going to need some TLC :wink:

Blessings,
Dan

 

[bbearhntr]

If you have a grandfather and an uncle with reloading equipment then I would buy myself a set of dies, a few hundred bullets, a couple pounds of powder and do the build. I suppose if they didn't live close by that may not work as well as I imagined. When I started my obsesssion with reloading a year ago I told myself I was going to be thrifty about the process. A couple thousand dollars later I am still shopping for more supplies....It doesn't end my friend....Hope you have fun with either route you take

 

[Oldtrader3]

Rick, welcome to the forum and I hope that your reloading set works well for you for a long time. It should.

 

[Itsricmo]

Bear Hunter, I have thought about using their loading setups, but both of my relatives are 2 hours either way travel distance. So that makes saving ANY money practically impossible. It is a good idea if I head out their way but that isn't too often.