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Last Christmas I bought myself a Stevens Model 200 .223. I picked up a used 3x9x40mm Nikon Buckmaster Rifle Scope to mount on it. I mounted the Scope in Warne Rings and Bases.
Before I ever shot the gun I searched the net for instructions on how to tune the Stevens (ala Savage Pre AccuTrigger) Trigger. In about a half hours time I had a really nice and crisp 2 3/4 pound trigger pull.
I then thoroughly cleaned the bore and followed this with hand lapping the bore with Flitz Bore Polish. Once done with the Flitz Bore Polish I then totally recleaned the bore. Now I was ready for the range.
At the range I did my usual Shoot-n-Clean Barrel Break in with 50 rounds of Ultra Max Commercial Reloads that were loaded with 55gr. Winchester Pointed Soft Point Bullets. After initial zeroing at 30 yards I moved the target stand back to 100 yards.
Throughout this barrel break in period I was shooting 5 shot groups at 100 yards from the bench with a Bench Rest Harris Bypod and a Sand Bag under the butt. Most 5 shot groups were in the 1/2" to 3/4" range with the largest group coming in at exactly 1".
Try as I may I never did come up with a Handload (I was using 50gr. Nosler Ballistic Tips with Hodgdon's Benchmark) that shot quite as good as the Ultra Max Commercial Reloads.
There was a high school student that is an aspiring Coyote Hunter. He kept drooling over getting a .223, and I ended up selling this kids father the Stevens .223. I just talked the the kid the other day and asked about the rifle. I then asked the kid if he would consider selling it back to me and I got a frim NO, that is one shootin Rifle he said.
I really miss that Stevens .223, and may have to pick myself up another one in the not to distant future.
Larry
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