Stevens 200 30-06

I picked up a Stevens 200 in 30-06 last year to use for hunting pigs. It has some pretty stout recoil and I was wondering what would make sense, change the barrel to something milder or pick up another rifle? I was looking at a Savage 11 in 260 Rem, which should be plenty for pig hunting. I can handle the recoil on the 30-06, but my son in-law has limited use of his left arm, is questionable on using 1 arm to handle the recoil. He wants the chance to go pig hunting and I 'd like to see him and myself enjoy the trip. This is a canned hunt on a preserve in PA.
If I were to re-barrel the rifle, I was thinking the 260 rem/6.5x55/7mm08 would be effective and more manageable recoil. Any other caliber suggestions? I don't plan on reloading so availability of commercial ammo should be considered. I saw some barrels for sale by Northland, both Savage?Stevens and after market barrels. Is that something I can do easily or take it to a gunsmith to have it done? What are your thought's?
Thanks, Ken

I think ammo choice may be a cheaper option to at least try. there are endless amounts of loads out there for the 30-06(or if you handload?) i'd look for something like a managed recoil from remington or a 125gr nosler BT, 130gr Barnes loadings. all would shoot flatter and have noticeably less recoil.

but don't let me hold you back from a new gun. :)

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Since you don't reload I would pick one of the more popular of the short action rounds and just pick up the exta rifle. You can grab a complete rifle pretty reasonable, especially if you snag one up used and then you'll have an extra rifle. For the size I'd say any of the short action cartridges of 243,260, 7mm-08 would be more than sufficient for your use and the avaliability of ammo will not make it unreasonable to shoot.

I built a .300 Savage with a 20" sporter barrel on a Stevens action for an easy to handle carbine. With the 130 and 150 grain bullets is brutal on deer and has very mild recoil. It's an E.R. Shaw barrel so the price is quite reasonable.

I built a .300 Savage with a 20" sporter barrel on a Stevens action for an easy to handle carbine. With the 130 and 150 grain bullets is brutal on deer and has very mild recoil. It's an E.R. Shaw barrel so the price is quite reasonable.

Even milder but equally effective would be a .250 Savage.

I'm looking at both 260 Rem and 7mm-08 rifles. I would also consider a 6.5x55 and 7MM but limited loadings for those.
It never hurts to buy another rifle. I am leaning towards the 260 because I would eventually like to get a varmint rifle in that caliber for paper punching.

Ken

I put a brake on a 7 mag and shoot it comfortably. I too shoot with limitations and it was no fun w/o the brake.

Have you tried reduced recoil rounds yet? That is the cheapest and easiest thing to do.

If you are changing calibers on a long action I would stick to 06 based rounds. 25-06 wouldn't be bad.

Replacing the barrel is more than a stock Stevens 200 is worth. Look at a Savage package deal in 243 great for deer/pigs/and varmits.

I am looking at the Model 11 Trophy Hunter in 6.5 Creedmoor and 260 Remington that comes with the Nikon 3X9 scope. Also looking at the Model 16 in the same calibers + 7mm-08. I will probably just leave the Stevens 200 as is.

I ended up picking up a new Marlin in 7mm-08 for the upcoming pig hunt. I have also won a Savage 110 in 30-06 on gunbroker. I will keep the Savage 110 as is since I still want a 30-06 rifle. I am still looking at putting a new barrel on the Stevens 200. I don't need to but I have always liked both the 7x57 and 6.5x55 and I am finally at a place where I can get a rifle just because I want it.

From what I have found I would just need to rebarrel and set head space and I should be good to go with both the 7MM Mauser and 6.5x55. I would also look at possibly replace the stock with a heavier Boyds laminate. I have looked at the ER Shaw barrels, what other options are there without spending $500?

Thanks, Ken

Check out gunshack.com I picked up mcgowen barrel there for only $260 and its a really nice tube

"Captk", don't be afraid to order a barrel from ER Shaw. I got my 260 Rem. from them & I couldn't be more pleased. It has a nice "tight"

chamber & it shoots "bugholes". Great price ! Only downside - 4 month wait :( ... Good Shooting ... Jim

What tools do I need besides the barrel nut wrench and who has them? Midway listed the ER Shaw barrel with wrench and go / no go gauges included unless I read it wrong.

Barrel nut wrench, go gauge, and an action wrench. You can make your own action wrench from wood if you want, that's what I did.

Midwayusa should have whatever. Brownells most certainly should.

I use the Sharp Shooter Supply barrel nut wrench, Wheeler action wrench and a 3lbs dead blow hammer.

I suggest getting or borrowing a set of head space gauges. You can use a full length sized & trimmed case in a pinch but the head space gauges are the correct method. You'll also need some lube for the barrel threads. STP or gear oil works well.

Thier is no need for a rifle that will reachout and hit a pig. Shots can be under 100 yds. In that case, a used Marlin 336 in .35 rem would be my pig gun with a low pawer, fixed power scope. 4X. Ammo is all over the place and it isnt a kicker in recoil, about the same as a 30-30 which is another good option with 150 gr bullets lever evolution rounds.
El Lobo