I am contemplating--as resources allow (probably over then next several years)--building off of my Stevens 200. Still figuring out what I'm thinking here, but ultimately I want to replace the stock, trigger, and barrel. I already have a Rifle Basix trigger that I will one day install to get it it to break right around 2 lbs. Next decision is the barrel (which will influence stock options as well). Having never done something like this before, I am fairly lost.

I'm a man on a budget. A tight budget.

I love the 25-06 cartridge and currently have two rifles chambered in it--one being the Stevens. Now, I'm a sucker for stainless, and to me, that's the second biggest shortcoming (next to the tupperware stock)of the rifle. This would be my my all-weather, all-seasons gun. I'm often on a kill permit that allows spotlighting on a large farm for the 4 months out of the year that I can't already legally hunt deer during the day. With shots of 100-250 the norm (with the chance to shoot some at 300+ yards at times as well) and with the fact that I'm gonna be hauling this thing over hill and dale for hours at a time, I'm wanting tack-driving accuracy at moderate ranges that won't break my shoulder. It will also double as a varmint gun shooting out to potentially 400+ yards.

I am thinking a stainless fluted heavy varmint barrel might be the best compromise option. The stocks I'm looking at being able to afford--Choate Ultimate Varmint, Houge full bed, B&C Medallist, or Boyds (although then I'd need to bed it (have one on my 30-06 that actually made my groups open up) and probably inlet it if using a heavier barrel...)--already run a little heavier than the stock I have. Ideally, I'd also like to get the end threaded--flash suppressor now, noise suppressor later, with any sort of luck. Also looking for a drop in--not a blank. No stinkin' clue what I'd do with a blank.

So my questions are these:

1. Is this the right barrel design (fluted stainless varmint) for my application? All-weather, all-seasons; hauling around all over; shooting up to 10-15 times in a 2-3 hour period at times; reaching out to touch something accurately at moderately long distances?

2. Is it possible to get Savage to rebarrel this? If so, would they even have a barrel similar to what I'm talking about? I know they USED to make a stainless fluted bull barrel, but I'm thinking that might be a little heavy. Just a regular stainless barrel? Would that even be a good option? I've had roughly MOA with the factory barrel, but I'd like to be able to have MOA out to 200 yards vice 100.

3. Are there any good recommendations for someone not looking to drop more than $300-500 on a barrel such as I am describing? I've read a lot of mixed reviews on Shilen of late--kinda a 50-50 chance on whether it will be better or worse than your factory barrel. Anyone have any comments? Any better options? Gunshack doesn't currently have what I'm looking for and McGowen's site only lists a bull barrel for the 25-06 in stock, although for about $550, it looks like I might be able to order what I'm looking for....

4. Is there something else I'm missing here? Something I'm not considering?

Thanks in advance!