Wanted to post some pics of my first Savage/Stevens rifle. I've been visiting this sight for awhile and found lots of good info. Thanks for the help in deciding to buy a Stevens 200 in 25-06. Like many, I wasn't thrilled with the color of the stock, so I decided to paint it. Wanted something that would work in the sage flats of Utah that I call home and hunt mule deer. I used Krylon Fusion camo paint, first painting the entire stock a dark green. Then I used a plastic leaf cluster I got at the local craft store for $1.49 and sprayed the leaves with a tan color. My camera work isn't the best, so it's really hard to see exactly how the rifle turned out, but I'm thrilled with it and hope to shoot it tomorrow. I mounted a Bushnell Elite 3200 scope, 3-9x40 with Butler Creek flip up caps in Weaver bases and Weaver Quad Lock rings. Have some Barnes 100 gr. TSXs loaded with Retumbo I'll try in the morning. Powder may be a little slow burning for the 22" barrel, so I may try some IMR 4350 and 4831 and some R-19 also with the triple shocks. I'll post a range report after the shooting session.
Thanks again to all for the valuable info. My next purchase will probably be another Stevens in 223.