Stevens 200 LR build

The Beginning:

My cousin and I shot a long range match out at Peacemaker range out in WV 2 weeks ago. Needless to say, it got me hooked on long range shooting. I have a Rem 700 SPS in 308 that I used for the match and did OK. Came in 42 out of 53 people. Not bad considering that I had never shot over 450 yards and this match was shooting from 465 yards on the short side, to 971 yards on the longest. Crazy winds 10-20 mph, but it was a blast. I was floored on my cold bore first shot, I was within inches of the target at 8** yards. It took me a bit to get dialed in, but I made some long hits after I worked out the wind. That day i came home and started researching a gun build specific for these comps.

After some searching i decided on the 6.5 Creedmoor as a caliber. Doing quite a bit of reading i came across a savage build and decided that this was the route for me since i like tinkering and building myself rather than paying someone to build for me. Also budget is a concern and it looks like i can build a shooter for less $ with a savage. Cost wise I could not build my 700 in 6.5 for what it is going to cost to build a savage. Hopefully I can make this savage a sub 1/2 min gun.

After watching gunbroker for a bit I won a Stevens 200 S/A in 22-250 for $275. Seemed like a good base for the project and the price was right. Picked it up last week and brought it home. (everything except the bolt guts and receiver are up for grabs if anyone needs parts)

http://i392.photobucket.com/albums/p...psjqumh35a.jpg

http://i392.photobucket.com/albums/p...psg9m6h2hr.jpg

First work was getting the tools to break it all down.

http://i392.photobucket.com/albums/p...psvair1mma.jpg

I got it all torn apart and started searching for parts for my build. This is what I ended up with. Not going to use much of the rifle but its hard to beat the price.

http://i392.photobucket.com/albums/p...ps71vqwkt8.jpg

Made a build sheet and stared to search the forums for deals. I wanted good glass on this one as my 700 has a millet 6-24 and while it is a good scope, it did not have the clarity at 1000 yards or the mil turrets and zero stop i was looking for. Came across a deal on a used Vortex Razor HD Mil/Mil with Vortex Precision Rings and a Vortex Switch View throw lever and I could not pass it up, so I pulled the trigger on it.

http://i392.photobucket.com/albums/p...pskdpnkt9m.jpg

That brings us to today. I have a pile of parts on order. Only things not ordered yet are my barrel and bottom metal. Should get the ball rolling on the barrel Monday.

Plans so far are:

6.5 CM Bartlein prefit barrel 26" threaded 5/8-24 from Southern Precision Rifles (bugholes.com)
B&C Tactical Medalist stock (will probably skim bed this)
CDI Bottom Metal - Going to have to send the action and stock to them but they are fitting the bottom metal for free
Rifle Basix Sav-2 Trigger
PTG Spiral Fluted Bolt body
PTG Precision machined bolt head
SSS Recoil Lug
110BA Tactical Knob
APA Gen II Little ******* Brake

Thinking about the time and true job but kinda want to see how the gun works when I get it done. I will update this as the parts start to show up and i get this thing together. Hopefully this gun shoots lights out when its done. Open to suggestions or comments as this is my first barrel nut gun.

Sounds great!
I have almost the exact same build going.
Stevens 200 in .223
Benchmark 26 inch 6.5 creedmoor barrel threaded for can
Hs procession stock at Cdi getting inlet right now
Cdi bottom metal
Rifle basix sav-1
Seekens 20 moa base
Nightforce ultra light rings
Nightforce nsx 3-15x56.
Sss recoil lug
Form 1 6.5 suppressor.
Can't wait to see the pics of yours. I have all my parts but the barrel. They are making it right now. Should be done in next two months
http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/16/01...9ef556a963.jpghttp://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/16/01...79ebd4a475.jpg

vashooter...this is a fantastic build you have here and I'll bet it's going to shoot 1 hole groups...the only thing I'd suggest is to go with a SSS comp trigger...I've shot the rifle basix 2 for several years and just bought a SSS comp trigger...after installing and before firing 1 round with it I ordered one for my short action...$40 bucks cheaper and a WAY better trigger.

i think Dennis at my accurate barrel still has a couple.

I just installed a SAV-2 trigger and I'm not quite sold on it yet... Now granted I probably need to take some more time to tune it, but it has a ton of play in it.. It does break nice at 8 oz. but I'm tempted to try one of those SSS now that LR has spoken highly of them...

I have the SSS trigger and although it is nice and crisp, the trigger shoe is very narrow. May not be a deal breaker for you but I thought you might want to know.

Nice build sheet. I am looking forward to seeing it done.

C

as TopherNJ said the shoe is pretty narrow(i wish it was about twice as wide)but it has no side to side play...its easier to install and adjust and just breaks so much cleaner than the RB...dont get me wrong...the RB is a fantastic trigger but for me the SSS trigger is much better and...IMHO...as close to a remington trigger as your going to get in a savage unless you send in an action and have Fred install and evolution.

I had the Sharp Shooter Supply Competition trigger in my last .308 build and it was fantastic. However I very much like my factory 3 screws in my .270 and .243 after I tuned then

The narrow trigger shoe is the bees knees. The wider triggers, like Timney, have started to fade. The narrow trigger takes some getting used to but it is supposed to create less torque when you pull it. When you pull, you know you are pulling straight back instead of putting more pressure on one side rather than pulling from the middle. I find it easier to be consistent with the narrow trigger now that I have shot and gotten used to it. There used to be a place that made trigger shoes that attached to the original trigger with a set screw but I cannot seem to find the site.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by schnyd112

The narrow trigger shoe is the bees knees. The wider triggers, like Timney, have started to fade. The narrow trigger takes some getting used to but it is supposed to create less torque when you pull it. When you pull, you know you are pulling straight back instead of putting more pressure on one side rather than pulling from the middle. I find it easier to be consistent with the narrow trigger now that I have shot and gotten used to it. There used to be a place that made trigger shoes that attached to the original trigger with a set screw but I cannot seem to find the site.

---

Tyler T-Grip maybe?

I already ordered the basix trigger. Most of my guns I have tuned the factory triggers with spring changes and stoning so hopefully i can make it work with a little tweaking. I guess if it does not work out i can sell it and get the SSS one.

Ba jeep- Seems like we have similar builds for sure. Good looking build so far. Hopefully both will be shooters.

Anyone do their own timing job? Any good write ups on where/how to polish the bolt/action and adjust the firing pin protrusion/timing to smooth out the action? I would rather do this myself if possible, rather than send my action out and have to wait months for a smith to do it.

That's exactly right.

http://www.t-grips.com

I've been wanting to get out there for a match but I always find myself occupied with something else. Looks like your going in the right direction for your build. Maybe I'll see you out there sometime.

Small update. Parts are starting to show up. Stock and scope base came today. Shipping the stock and action to CDI tomorrow to get inletted for bottom metal. Had to put it together to see what it was going to look like.

http://i392.photobucket.com/albums/p...psanuf76tc.jpg

I believe your scope base is on backwards.

Correction: bipod is correct, had to go look at mine. I was thinking wrong.

Good news is he had plenty time to rectify those issues.
Good luck on the build

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by peterf225

I believe your scope base is on backwards, also the bipod is backwards.

---

Bipod looks right to me. Maybe you put yours on backwards?

Bipod is right. Legs fold forward. Good call on the scope base. I see its supposed to extend over the barrel nut now. Just temp anyway as its torn back down in a box to head to CDI for inletting today.

Almost there. Just waiting on a barrel now. Just got the stock and action back from CDI yesterday. They did a good job inletting for the bottom metal with a quick turn around time. I installed the Tactical Works bolt handle and the PTG precision ground bolt head. I made an attempt to install the PTG fluted bolt body but it was too big to fit inside the receiver. I guess that is going to be getting sent back. Fully stripped and cleaned the bolt assembly and polished some of the action where it was rubbing on the bolt during cycling. Also today, I installed the sav 2 trigger which took some work. It is wider than the factory trigger and had to be ground down at the bottom to fit inside the CDI bottom metal.

I still have a small bit of take up in the trigger. Hopefully I can get that adjusted out tonight with a bit of tuning. Overall I am not too impressed with the trigger. Its not as crisp or smooth as my factory 700 trigger. I thought it would be better for the money, but I guess since it reuses the factory sear there is not much they can do. I might take the stones to the sear and see if I can get it to crisp up.

I have the APA little ******* brake, 200 rounds of prime 6.5 ammo, new barrel nut and SSS recoil lug sitting here waiting on the barrel. Hopefully it will be here next week. I cant wait to shoot this thing.

[IMG]http://i392.photobucket.com/albums/p...ps1a5xiuuj.jpg[/IMG]

Lookin good! :tea:

I feel your pain. I'm waiting on my X-Caliber 7.62x39 barrel and Richards Microfit stock to finish my build.

Barrel showed up today. Got it all together finally! I'm pumped to shoot this thing. Think i'm going to hit the local 100 yard indoor range tomorrow afternoon and get it sighted in. Hopefully this weekend will be able to do a little more distance shooting. Rings might be a bit tall but i wont pass judgement till i put a few down range.

http://i392.photobucket.com/albums/p...pskoov37vp.jpg

http://i392.photobucket.com/albums/p...psqeymlual.jpg

http://i392.photobucket.com/albums/p...psymzkqxni.jpg

Nice rig VAShooter! I have a similar build going on right now with a model 11. Just waiting on my headspace gauges to get here to get it finished up. Keep us update with some range reports.

Got a bit of trigger time behind it now. Sighted it in at the local 100 yard indoor range. Was printing .3-.8 groups consistently off the bipods with a rear bag. Recoil is similar to my 556 AR. Easy to watch your hits even close in. This morning we got out to a friends place and did some shooting to 500 yards. Wearing out the 4"x6" flapper on our silhouette target at 500. Consistent at all ranges we shot. With a bit more trigger time this gun will be a absolute hammer.

Shooting Prime 130 ammo it only took 2.5 Mills to get to 500. I have some Hornady 140s in the mail so I am going to give those a shot next. I need to get it over the chrono and see where we are at speed wise.

vashooter,looks as good as it shoots. Nice rig,thanks for letting us watch your build as it went. Gary