Stevens 200 7mm-08 with .243 barrel

I recently traded for a Savage model 11 .243. Turns out its a Stevens 200 7mm-08 converted to a .243. Is there anything I should check to see if it was done correctly? The barrel looks new. Shoots sub moa. Seems perfect.

I put a Simmons Aetek 3.8-12x50 Scope on it. It wouldn't hold up to my Savage 110 7mm so I put it on the .243. Do y'all think the scope will keep zero due to the less recoil than the 7mag? It held zero while sighting it in. I just hope it stays for hunting.

i plan on putting a Timney Trigger in it and it should be perfect!!!

It will be my new deer rifle. I'm tired of the big recoil of the 7mag.

I will be shooting 100gr Federal BTSP. Bought 2 boxes to start with. They shot very well so I'll stick with them.

What grain should I use on hogs?

I plan to get reloading supplies for Christmas. I'm new to reloading. Never done it yet but my FIL will be helping me. He knows what to do.

1) check headspace if you want, but if you haven't had extraction or brass issues you should be fine.
2) No, if it has been known to move already; plant that tomato stake of a scope in the dirt where it belongs.
3) I don't hunt big game with my 243, but any bullet that does well on deer should be fine. Despite internet chatter, I've never found hogs to be difficult to kill; unless you can't shoot for squat. Haven't found anything in north America that a 165gr Hot-Cor from my 308, won't kill easily.

Here's a pic of my two guns.

http://i1093.photobucket.com/albums/...9ea48e803d.jpg

Ditch the scope if it already has known problems. 100 gr 243 is plenty for deer if you do your part.

Thanks. I guess I'll be looking for a scope.

I bought a Bushnell Trophy XLT 4-12x40 today. I figure it should be good on a .243. I read great reviews on it. Not much negatives except on magnum rifles.

We have the 3-9x40 Trophy XLT on two 45-70s and they seem to be holding up fine. I've been impressed for the money.

If you want rid of that Simmons, I'll pay the postage and a little for your troubles.

I shot the gun with the Simmons on it on Tuesday and it's still holding zero. Shot a bunny rabbit at 75 yards. I'll be keeping the Simmons for my 22. Thanks for the offer though.

Once you start reloading, and you want to hunt hogs, I'd look into the 100gr Nosler partition, or the Barnes 80gr TTSX or 85gr TSX bullets to load with. The Barnes' bullets are all copper so will most likely weigh more exiting a hog or deer than the 100gr partition, but either will do a fine job on deer or pigs.

As for the Aetec, I have used one for years and it's trouble free. Mine has been on my 30-06, my 308 and my 223. It now sits on my 243. For the money they are good scopes. My '06 now wears a Leupold VXI, but I can not afford the high dollar scopes. I should add that I do not usually hunt in inclement weather so cannot tell you how well they do in that.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by MathMan

I shot the gun with the Simmons on it on Tuesday and it's still holding zero. Shot a bunny rabbit at 75 yards. I'll be keeping the Simmons for my 22. Thanks for the offer though.

---

Understood, just seemed like a better option than using it as a tomato stake. lol!

Lol

The Simmons fogs up pretty badly. When I got out of my truck Tuesday morning it fogged up completely. I wiped it and it was good though.

I'll be buying the timney trigger soon. I'm excited!!!

I will be looking through both scopes comparing them to see which one is brighter and clearer. I may just return the Bushnell scope.

You may like that XLT, we are happy with both ours. To my eye, it's on par with the Nikon that's on my 10/22.

I'm going to be comparing it side by side later in the week with the Vortex Viper HS that I picked up for a 280 build.

I'm jealous on the Timney, the cheap side of me says that I have to try the accutrigger first.

You might like the sav-2 rifle basix as it is a completely new trigger versus a clone of the original 3 screw trigger.

I'm looking at the Rifle Basix Sav-1 or the Timney #631. They are about the same price.

Which one out of those 2 do y'all reccomend?

I can't afford a Sav-2.

I compared my 3 scopes that I have today at 9:00pm.

Leupold VX-1 3-9x40/Simmons Aetec 3.8-12x44/Bushnell Trophy XLT 4-12x40.

Tested them all at 9 power. The Leupold and the Simmons were very close in light and clarity. I think the leupold was a little brighter and clearer though. The Bushnell was much darker and very blurry in low light. The leupold is only up to 9 power and the Simmons goes up to 12 power. At 12 power the Simmons was darker for sure but that's understandable due to the extra magnification. The Bushnell was much much darker at 12 power.

Now I think I'm going to keep the Simmons on this rifle and put the Bushnell on my 10/22.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by MathMan

I'm looking at the Rifle Basix Sav-1 or the Timney #631. They are about the same price.

Which one out of those 2 do y'all reccomend?

I can't afford a Sav-2.

---

I have not tried the Timney, but RB Sav-1 and Sharp Shooter Supply Comp Trigger are both excellent. Personally, I prefer the SSS Comp.

Well, I went with the timney. Ordered it today. I read a lot of reviews online and liked what they said about the timney. Pretty much though most people seemed to say they are equal in performance. I'll let y'all know how it compares to my SSS Competition Trigger.

For the 243, I love the Nosler 100g Partition...kills em dead right there. My grandfather has taken deer, elk and pronghorn with them for decades and My daughter took a 120" 8pt last year with one...it's a great deer rifle.

The 243 is fine as a deer rifle. With modern bullet design, cartridges once considered borderline are now legitamite and solid choices for big game.