Remington 700 vs Stevens 200

[Rhyno37]

Looking to get back into rifles, and not sure what to get. I know for sure I want a .223 and either a Remington 700 SPS Varmint or Stevens 200. If I went the 700 route, I would only be adding on a new stock when money permits after I recover from the rifle, optics, and mounts/rings. The stock H-Bar would be good enough for me. If I went the Stevens route, it would be more of a build rifle, a cheap one at that. A new barrel and stock would be a must, maybe with a new trigger. Of course optics and the rest would go along as well.

I guess to put things simpler, should I get a 700 Varmint and keep it mostly stock except for the stock eventually, or get a Stevens 200 and put some parts into it? 700 action vs Savage 10 action...

 

[jtl0101]

Re: Remington 700 vs Stevens 200

If you can get a Stevens 200 out the door for under $300 I would go that route. Then add:

Rifle Basix trigger: $90
B&C medalist: $250

Then shoot it until you need a new barrel. The factory barrel should be adequate for you to practice and figure out what barrel you want to upgrade to later. You could also pick up a Boyd's stock for around $150 if you wanted to go cheaper.

 

[oosickness]

Re: Remington 700 vs Stevens 200

been there done that and i wished i would have got my rem 700 from the start.

Don't get my wrong i like my savage. it shoots good and functions fine i just had to put a good amount of time and money in.

the lady bug helps me shoot "bug holes" lol

 

[rusty815]

Re: Remington 700 vs Stevens 200

Stevens: $300
B&C Stock: $200
Rifle Basix trigger: $85
EGW base & Burris rings: $100
SWFA 10X fixed scope: $300

total: $985

Doing this gets you a good starter setup, you could upgrade to different parts as time goes on, youd probably do that no matter what route you take. I'd personally take the stevens route (I would have if they made a lefty stevens)

 

[fdkay]

Re: Remington 700 vs Stevens 200

First, I would suggest the SPS tactical, it has a 1-9 twist. I believe the varmint has a 1-12 twist.
You would be limited to bullet weights no heavier than 55 grains in the varmint, the SPS tactical has been shown to stabilize the 75-77 grain pills.
My tactical shoots the nosler custom comp 69 bullets VERY well, and does quite well with the 75 grain Prvi PArtizan bullets (reloads).

As far as the savage/stevens goes, look at the 10FP in .223. It is a very good base rifle and all you will need is an eventual stock upgrade.
http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/products_id/70991

Another excellent option is the Howa 20" HB .223. They usually run just over 500 and are excellent rifles, it , too, will need a stock upgrade.

The build on a stevens action is not a bad route, but you will need to buy the tools (barrel vise, barrel nut wrench, go and no go gage). Total for the tools is about 160, a new stock and the new barrel.
It will be better than a factory barrel, but my experience tells me that all three of the aforementioned factory rifles are capable of very good accuracy and will outshoot a new shooter. All three can be upgraded later.

 

[BenY 2013]

Re: Remington 700 vs Stevens 200

I went the Stevens route and have not looked back! fdkay had a good point with the 10FP, if you went that route all you would need is a new stock and maybe trigger if you do not like the accu-trigger. Everyone is saying to go with the B&C stock but I would aslo consider the Choate Tactical stock I have one on my Stevens and love it! Good luck with your build!

 

[turbo54]

Re: Remington 700 vs Stevens 200

Stevens. Put a stock, trigger and barrel on it as funds permit. It'll get you shooting NOW cheapest, and allow you to get the exact upgrade parts you want.

 

[Rhyno37]

Re: Remington 700 vs Stevens 200

Thanks for the info guys. I had forgot that the 700 varmint is 1:12 twist, and that's a turn off. I'm really liking the Savage 10FPSR, the heavy barrel and trigger are obviously nice, and I like that it comes with an over sized bolt handle. I really hope my local shop has this one.

Another question, if I went with the Stevens and upgraded the stock, could I get a stock for a heavy barrel and use it with the standard contour barrel? Would it look funky?

 

[turbo54]

Re: Remington 700 vs Stevens 200

Won't look super-strange, just VERY floated.

 

[jschroed]

Re: Remington 700 vs Stevens 200

Funny but functional.

 

[Rhyno37]

Re: Remington 700 vs Stevens 200

Forgot to mention too, I'm not 100% stuck on the .223 round either. As much as I'd like .308, almost all ranges around me are 300yd max. My grandparents farm that I shoot at has about 100-200 yards open range. Anything beyond those ranges I have to shoot into a field/valley when the corn or beans are down. Feel free to sway me either way on this.

Second, Originally I was looking at a TPS steel mounts and rings. Would those be ok?

 

[turbo54]

Re: Remington 700 vs Stevens 200

Nothing wrong at ALL with 223.

Not sure what your experience level is - or if you reload...so no offense if the following is awful simple for you:

The heavy (80gr+) 223 bullets have almost as good a BC as 308, so they can legitimately go 1000 yards, though they're running out of gas - but so is a 308.

Those heavy 223 bullets require a faster twist than most all rifles come with.

To afford to shoot a lot, 223 is king of the centerfires. If you eload, that may not be an issue for you.

Unless you need/want the downrange energy (killing power) of the 308, I think you're well advised to choose 223.

As you progress, and reach out further, you'll want a 1-7 or 1-8 twist barrel...so unless you will NEVER wanna reach out past, say, 400 yards, you'll be needing to rebarrel any factory rifle you choose. Before I get flamed, the 69gr matchking CAN go 600 yards, but it sucks. The 77 does much better, but its a gamble if it'll work in a 1-9 barrel, and certainly won't work in a slower one.

The TPS rings are good. No trouble there.

 

[Rhyno37]

Re: Remington 700 vs Stevens 200

Thank you for the info. I would consider my experience level moderate, maybe less on rifles. I have a Ruger 10/22 and a Springfield 1903 so this will be my first tactical rifle with a scope. I figure .223 is a great round to start off with, and cheap to have fun/get a lot of practice. Like I said, on rare occasion can I ever go over 500 yards.

 

[Rhyno37]

Re: Remington 700 vs Stevens 200

Shameless self bump...

So about how much would I have to spend on a good barrel for the Stevens 200. And as far as triggers go I was always told Timney is the best, are Rifle Basix better?

 

[bruno86]

Re: Remington 700 vs Stevens 200

I just bought a barrel from GunShack.com from their Hide group buy for $158. I have heard nothing but good things about the ER Shaw barrel and expect .5 moa with them. Im also tinkering around buying one of the 20'' threaded barrels Shaw offers because I like this one so much. Great buy.

I also have a Rifle Basics trigger on my 223AI. I like it a lot. Crisp at 2lbs and very easy to install.

 

[z71rat]

Re: Remington 700 vs Stevens 200

Savage all the way for me. I have owned so many different rifles from many different manufacturers. I absolutely love Savage. Also, I would look into the 243WIN as well. Just my $0.02 worth...

DK

 

[bruno86]

Re: Remington 700 vs Stevens 200

+1 on 243. Gunshack has the varmint contour for 158 in 243.

 

[rusty815]

Re: Remington 700 vs Stevens 200

6.5CM is also a good choice, get a group buy barrel from gunshack, you will definitely not regret it.

As far as triggers, Timney doesn't make anything worthwhile for Savage Rifles (they do make a trigger, but it isn't that great). Rifle Basix is great, thats what I have on my savage and its the best trigger I've felt, takes some time and work to get it adjusted perfectly (took me close to 2 hours getting the trigger pull perfect) but once its set up right, it works like a dream. Also the SSS trigger is spectacular and some regard it better than the Rifle Basix.

 

[Rhyno37]

Re: Remington 700 vs Stevens 200

About how much would I have to spend on a fairly good barrel if I went the Stevens route?

 

[Dirty D]

Re: Remington 700 vs Stevens 200

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Rhyno37</div><div class="ubbcode-body">About how much would I have to spend on a fairly good barrel if I went the Stevens route? </div></div>

$158 to $240

http://www.gunshack.com/savagebarrels

 

[mwroseberry]

Re: Remington 700 vs Stevens 200

I got a 26" chrome moly in 7-08 with a 1 in 8 twist for 215.00 to my door from McGowen during their christmas sale. You can get one at about that price from another website right now. I believe they even have a few in stock normally. I'd post the site but we are only suppose to post site supporters on here so PM me if you're interested.

Good luck,
Merritt

 

[Rhyno37]

Re: Remington 700 vs Stevens 200

In general, are aftermarket parts cheaper for the Savage 10/110 than the Remington 700? Or maybe vice versa? The Stevens is really appealing to me for the price.

 

[BoilerUP]

Re: Remington 700 vs Stevens 200

Parts are about the same price; somewhat larger variety of parts for the R700.

With a Savage, you avoid gunsmithing fees because you can do everything yourself (including barrel, bolt knob and bolt head swaps) at home with minimal tools.

10FP-SR .223 is $629 from Bud's; 700 Tactical is $617.

Also, probably beyond your price range but shameless plug...http://www.snipershide.com/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=3029094

 

[tomcatfan]

Re: Remington 700 vs Stevens 200

Like everyone else has said, I would go with the savage. I built one in 6.5x47 and it was easy. if you have the $$$, HS makes some nice stocks for the savage.

 

[aryanr]

Re: Remington 700 vs Stevens 200

Look at used savages there are som great deals to be found

 

[scott123456789]

Re: Remington 700 vs Stevens 200

I would start with an SPS-tactical as mentioned above. The stevens should come in 1 in 9 but the sps varmint will come 1 in 12. While the stock and trigger on the sps-tactical leave plenty to be desired there are many more readily available after market parts you can check into if the stock rifle doesn't perform to your expectations.

 

[maclowry]

Re: Remington 700 vs Stevens 200

this makes me want to try a stevens budget build.