Stevens M200 243 Accuracy testing

I wanted a lightweight inexpensive Deer/Pig hunting rifleand picked up a M200 243 about a week ago. I don't see how these rifles can be beat in their price range.

I went over it and sanded off the ridges on the stock left over from the mold and stuck a metal trigger guard on it. The fit between the receiver and the stock is looking pretty good. The tang and barrel are floated nicely. This stock may not be the best but should work fine for my purposes and the light recoil of the 243.

I have selected three 3 bullets to test in this rifle including the 100 gr Sierra PH, the 100 gr Sierra GK, and the 95 gr Hornady SST. The powder I have to try is H4350, RL 17, H4831SC, and IMR 4064. I am hoping for a final load over 3000 fps and .5 MOA or better Accuracy. I'm betting on the Sierra GK and H4350/RL 17 or H4831SC.

I started testing with the 100 gr Sierra PH and H4831SC with the jump set at .010. Accuracy was good from 43.5 to 44.5 gr with the best group .353 CTC with 43.5 gr at avg velocity of 2860 fps, .747 CTC with 44 gr at 2880 fps, and .697 CTC with 44.5 gr at 2925 fps. Pretty Darn good!! That fulfills my accuracy goal but still need more velocity. Both the 44 gr an 44.5 gr were 4 shot groups and both had 2 bullets touching and then 1/2 inch or so vertically the other two bullets touching.

Will bedding the recoil lug likely take care of the vertical movement on the heavier loads?

Feel free to PM me with your favorite hunting load using 95 to 105 gr bullets.

man, I have a load with 105 grain berger vld's for my .243 that shoots really well. Has shot some groups in the .2's and .3's with most around .4 to .5 or so. its 39.7 grains of H4350 with a fed match primer and Win Brass. The bullet is set back .035 from the lands. 39.7 is the max load with H4350 from berger, and is safe in my gun with no signs of pressure.

If your getting vertical stringing with the sporter barrel, limit your testing to three rounds and wait a few minutes between shots. The barrel heating up may have stresses in it that cause the barrel to warp, touch the stock and string the rounds, especially if your using the "tupperware" stock. Bedding may help but no amount of bedding will fix the whippy forearm movement. Another trick to try is place the rest closer to the recoil lug. HTH

Thanks guys, The notifier did not work or I would have replied earlier. I reset the notifier

I went ahead and bedded the stock and it did seem to help the vertical stringing. I notice that during load testing using the 3 shot method that several loads would punch two overlapping holes and then toss the 3rd road horizontal by 1/2 inch or more. I guess the light barrel has to cool after a couple of shots. Most of my rifles are heavier barrels and handle 3 to 5 shots.

I broke down and ordered a thumb hole laminate stock and some pillars from Stocky Stocks today. Always wanted a thumb hole stock ( I rationalized )


Oh Yeah, I messed up and bent my safety bar spring and now I can't get the safety to work right no matter how many times I tweek and adjust the darn thing. I think a new spring is in order. Anyone know where I can get one?

Brownell's rules.