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Few firearms--or any product, for that matter--will ever disprove the old adage, "You get what you pay for." To do so requires it to perform above and beyond anything comparable in its price class. Stevens' latest creation, the Model 200 center-fire, turnbolt rifle, is one such exception to the rule.
The Model 200 is a value-priced, no-frills workhorse designed for one purpose, to perform. It has a dual-pillar bedded, gray, synthetic stock with a blind internal box magazine, fore-and-aft sling swivel studs, and a standard rubber recoil pad. A synthetic stock is easier to mass-produce and requires less hand fitting than a wood stock, which reflects in the price. Eliminating a floorplate or a detachable magazine further reduces cost and helps maintain the stiffness of the stock. Blind magazines eliminate the possibility of an accidental opening of floorplate or a lost magazine, and it only takes a few seconds to remove unfired cartridges by working the bolt. Magazine capacity is four for standard chamberings and three for magnums. This rifle has a standard blued, 22" (24" in magnums), free-floating, button-rifled barrel. There are no iron sights, instead the rifle is drilled and tapped for scope bases. The bolt has dual-opposing locking lugs, a partially checkered bolt knob and the Stevens name laser-etched on the body. Also, the steel bolt body is left in the white, and the handle is blued. Operation of the bolt is fluid and nearly effortless.
Out of the box, the Model 200 long-action weighs 6½lbs. and measures 42¾" in length (44" for magnum calibers). The long-action Model 200 is available in five calibers: .25-06 Rem., .270 Win., 7 mm Rem. Mag., .30-'06 Sprg. and .300 Win. Mag. Stevens' Model 200 in a short-action is available in: .223 Rem., .22-250 Rem., .243 Win., 7 mm-08 Rem. and .308 Win. Our test rifle was chambered in .30-'06 Sprg. For testing, we mounted a Bushnell Elite 3200 5-15x40 mm scope in Leupold rings on Weaver-style(2x#46) bases and selected four ammunition types. After sighting the gun in, we shot five, five-shot groups from a sangbagged rest at 100 yds. One word best sums up the test results: excellent. The most accurate ammunition tested was Black hills Gold 165-gr. Nosler Ballistic Tip, which averaged a mere 0.75". Accuracy results might have improved if the trigger had been lighter, but we were sufficiently satisfied with our results. Trigger let-off weight was 5 lbs., 1 oz., and there was no overtravel and only a hint of creep. There were no failures to feed or fire. The rifle has a 3 13/16"-long chamber port, and using Weaver-style(2x#46) bases and Leupold rings, measures 5 15/16" from the backside of the rear ring to the front side of the front ring. What does that mean? Make sure the scope's body is long enough to fit between the rings before purchasing it. The Bushnell Elite 5-15x40 mm we used for testing fit perfectly, and even had a little extra length for adjustment in both directions. Although the rifle's heavy recoil probably wouldn't be noticed while hunting, it grew increasingly uncomfortable as range sessions progressed. A gel-type or soft-rubber recoil pad would definitely be an asset in helping soften and more evenly distribute recoil. With its excellent accuracy, light weight and attractive suggested retail price of $316, the Stevens Model 200 is well-suited for several roles, such as a hunter's first rifle or a backup rifle in rough country. And since the Model 200 is priced so low, that leaves more money to top it with quality glass. Regardless of its role, the Stevens' Model 200 has filled a niche, and in the process, set a standard for value that will be tough to beat. 
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