Stevens 200

[rs]

For best accuracy should the tang be free floating on the 200 action , this is the first stevens 200 that has not been very accurate right out of the box and its giveing me a fit.Is there a bolt tightening sequence i should follow when putting the bbl/action in the stock .

[Bossman]

I have a Stevens 200 .223 that gave me fits out of the box. 6+ inch 100 yard groups, followed break-in, then at round# 50 it started to tighten up. After round # 80 it groups < 1/2 inch with Fiocchi 50 gr. vmax. Running a patch down the bore still feels & sounds like a zipper.
That was with the tupperware stock, barrel floated, never checked the tang.

Mike

[GaCop]

Bottom line, the Savage will most likely shoot the best with the tang floated. Tighten the front screw to about 45 in/lb and the rear to about 35 in/lb. With the factory plastic stock your going to have a certain amount of flexing in the recoil lug area when shooting off a rest and that, along with the possibility of the tang touching may be the problem.

[ellobo]

GaCop, I have never had a problem with stock flex with my only rifle with the tupperware stock. I just rest the forearm an bags which doesnt flex the stock at all as far as I can tell. Shooting offhand doesn't seem to be a problem either as I dont use a sling except on my M1.
It is my opinon that the flex problem is overinflated and has convinced people to add rods of various kinds in the forend when that wont fix the problem of the real flex point which is back at the tang area. The most egregious problem with flex has to be with bipods which can torque the forearm. Torqueing the forearm is the worst thing that can happen to the tupperwares in my opinion. I keep the plastic stock on that rifle as it is my bad weather hunting rifle.

El Lobo