Varmint for lifetime

[Kyle Hawkins]

Hello,
Well im getting the stevens 200 in .223, and my every intention for this rifle is to make it a target/ varmint rifle that will last for a true lifetime. Here are my current plans...

Stevens 200, in .223 Rem
Bushnell Banner 6-24x40mm
1-Piece Picatinny base
Matching rings
A coating of black Duracoat
Scope level
Harris bipod
Painted Stock
Rifle Basix Trigger

Do you think that all of this would basically make a great gut that will really last forever?

This rifle will be shot at the range once a month (me and my grandpa are gonna start shootin every month:))

And it would be taken for varmint of all sorts, i plan to take some kind of varmint trip during my lifetime, this would handle some pdogs out west right?

And the duracoat, i hate rust, and i want this brand new gun to never rust and be protected, this will do it correct?

Thanks,
Kyle

[mrbgt]

Sounds good to me . I have an old savage model 112 , basically the same gun. I love mine, i'm sure you'll love yours . I've shot 45-69grn. bullets very well . it is a heavy bugger though .                                                                                                                                                                               

[WyoStillhunter]

The gun sounds great and should "last forever."  If you are like me the critical question is, "Will my commitment to the gun last forever?"

I have a great track record of commitment when it comes to wives: I have been married once, to the same woman, for 40 years come November 16.  But I have real commitment issues when it comes to rifles.  Playing the field is just too seductive it seems.

Good luck with the marriage!

[Kyle Hawkins]

haha, well congrats on the 40yrs.

but this will be a senior gift from my folks, instead of a stupid class ring, im pretty sure it will be mine till i die, but even then it will stay in family.

[mjbgalt]

if you're doing that, as an heirloom, i would look for a NICE wood grain stock and a rifle that will be memorable to you.

the stevens are nice but not something you cherish like a beautiful wood stock and polished blue.

think Weatherby Vanguard, only a couple hundred more.

-Matt

[mrbgt]

a nice wood stock adds money but will make it look nicer . you could go stevens then put what ever stock you want on it . i like my savage more and more with every kill 

[onesonek]

Forever can be a very, very long time. If you intend to shoot once a month, the life if the barrel depends on how much you shoot it, (how many rounds per session), and how fast you shoot it. Heat (shooting too fast) is a barrrel's worst enemy (along with poor cleaning methods). Depending on the particular barrel, with the .223 should last (peak accuracy) and I'm sorta guessing here , about 3-4000 rounds, maybe a tad longer. I shoot mostly the hotter rounds (varmint), and shoot them alot, (not fast). Some I change out or replace the barrels every year.

Your set-up sounds just dandy though!!

Dave

[dpe.ahoy]

I've got 2 of the Stevens 223's and they perform very well.  The 223 is easy on barrels if you don't get them to hot.  Don't have any experience with that trigger, had my stock triggers tuned to break real clean, but not to light as it gets pretty cold here sometimes when I'm out looking for yodle dogs.  If you do wear out a barrel, they are easy to change with the barrel nut for headspacing and lockup.  I put an Adams and Bennet barrel on my Savage, got it from Midway.  DP

[Kyle Hawkins]

Well im not meaning that this would be passed down to remember me by or anything, all im trying to say is that i want a solid varmint rifle that i can rely on and that will deffinately last. You know a gun you can shoot in the rain, hunt no matter what..

And about barrels, if i bought a aftermarket barrel, something heavy and thick with 1:9 would they last longer or still about the same? i know this has alot of variables but normally do aftermarket barrels last longer? and yes i know, 4,000 shots is ALOT

[WyoStillhunter]

Good choice.  Class rings have a way of evaporating.  Mine's been gone so long I had to think a minute to remember I ever had one. 

[mrbgt]

I've read barrels on most ar15's can go 8-10,000 rounds before accuracy suffers enough too worry about a barrel swap. I doubt you would shoot it out anytime soon

[onesonek]

Well im not meaning that this would be passed down to remember me by or anything, all im trying to say is that i want a solid varmint rifle that i can rely on and that will deffinately last. You know a gun you can shoot in the rain, hunt no matter what..

And about barrels, if i bought a aftermarket barrel, something heavy and thick with 1:9 would they last longer or still about the same? i know this has alot of variables but normally do aftermarket barrels last longer? and yes i know, 4,000 shots is ALOT

Heavy barrels heat up slower Kyle, but they take longer to cool also. As general rule though, they "walk" less during warm up.
I can't say premium aftermarket barrels last any longer, but I find they can be more accurate. Also they tend to shoot longer in between cleanings and clean easier. Again the big problem is heat resulting in throat erosion from rapid fire.

Dave

[onesonek]

I've read barrels on most ar15's can go 8-10,000 rounds before accuracy suffers enough too worry about a barrel swap. I doubt you would shoot it out anytime soon

Depends on what you call "suffers enough" for your own accuracy desires. The military figures 10000 rounds, but in reading up some on the guys that use AR's in competition, say groups double at 3-4000 and double again at 5-6000. 

[the jigger]

I have the same commitment problems that Wyostillhunter has. I've been married to the same woman for 48yrs and am up to six Savage/Stevens rifles. It seems like every one I have bought has tickled me so, that I have to have another.
The only change I would recommend for your plan is a competition trigger from Sharp Shooter Supply. It is a little more money than the Rifle Basics but IMHO is a lot more trigger.
GOOD LUCK and GOOD SHOOTING!!!

[charles p]

You will have a boring life.  You gonna want more guns for certain.

[Tylermtech]

If you are anything like me, your tastes will change as you age.  I used to like normal calibers, and pratical things for the pratical reasons.  now that I am a little older and have a little extra scratch, I like goofy calibers and things that you dont see every day.  One thing that has not changed is my love for the .22 LR.  for the same money, you could get a nice 22, (CZ 452, or a Marlin 39A and you would never tire of this.  The 22 works well for close varmints, and is cheap to shoot.

Just my 0.02

Thanks
Tyler

[LaOtto222]

I am going to add my 2 cents on having 1 gun. I had 1 varmint center fire gun for years and years. It was a Remington 700 BDL VS. It was in 222 and it had a Bushnell Banner in a straight 10X setting on it. It was very accurate with the right load. I got a long fine with it for a long time, but eventually the throat was shot out of it. The 222 is a very mild mannered cartridge, but it did get the throat eroded after a while to the point of deteriorating groups. It went from 1 hole (under .250") 3 shot groups to .5" groups. Still not bad, but disappointing after years of sub 1/4" groups. If you are only going with 1 gun, make it a quality one, the best one you can get. A quality gun just makes you feel better about the whole situation. You will not have a yearning for something better. If you shoot it a whole lot, expect the barrel to go South on you eventually. The 223 is not known to be a barrel burner, but you can erode the throat after a few thousand shots, depending on rate of fire. If you are real careful about not heating the barrel and using good cleaning practices, it should last 6K - 7K before you notice a problem. Of course the barrel on a Savage can be replaced easily, but the quality of a Remington is hard to beat for the money. Do not get me wrong, I have 2 Savage 200's and like them fine, but they are not my only guns. I still have the 700 and I just feel better about this gun. It is hard to describe the feeling you have when you have the confidence in the gun to hit any thing you put your cross hairs on. When you miss, you know it is because you pulled the shot or you doped the wind wrong. There is the 1 gun theory about knowing your gun and i think it is true. If you only have 1 and spend a lot of trigger time with it, you know it well and can shoot very well with it. I now have many varmint guns and enjoy each one of them. My wife says how many guns can you shoot at once, she just does not get it. I say if you are going to have only one, make it a good one. Get the best scope you can afford. For $200 you can get a Bushnell 3200 Elite 10X tactical. I think you will find that it is a quality scope and will serve your varmint needs very well. If you are going to stick with the Savage 200, get an after market trigger and barrel for it. Get a better stock too. You will not regret getting these items. Of course if you do that you are going to get as much in it as a Remington SPS varmint, new from the factory. Again get as good as you can, you will not regret it. Good Luck and Good Shooting