Hey guys,
Tomorrow is my son's 13th birthday. What he really wants is a cell phone , but I think he'll be happy w/ what I've got him--a Stevens M200 in 223 Remington w/ a Simmons 44 Mag scope (6.5-20X, purchased new >5 years ago, but never mounted) and Burris Supreme Z rings. Cleaned barrel and shot the gun for the first time today. Was on paper pretty quickly at 25 yds. Then moved target to 100 yards. Winchester 55 gr FMC ("white box" ammo) put 4 shots into 2.3" (last 3 shots 1.5" w/ 2 touching); this ammo has never shot very well for me . Was given to me by a non-shooting friend so I shoot when sighting in a gun. Also tried 2 handloads, both developed for my 223 Rem Contender. 50 gr TNT/R-P brass/H322/Rem 7 1/2 primers put 3 shots into 1.35" (w/ 2 nearly touching); 50 gr NBT/R-P brass/H322/Rem 7 1/2 primers put 3 shots into a nice 0.94" clover-leaf. Pressures looked ok w/ all loads. Was pushed for time, so only cleaned between each group. I feel really good that the gun has great promise , especially after I touch up the trigger (breaks at 6 1/2-7 1/2#). I had really wanted to get him a Savage w/ Accu-Trigger, but could not find one anywhere (N. LA/S. AR/E. TX). Now if I can just find us a pd hunt! Gary T.

thats a nice set up. I have a couple of the mil dot 44mag scopes from Natchez close out a few years back. They were a deal at$99.00

I have a few of the Stevens also, about the best bang for the buck out there. I've had very good results with Sierra 60gr. HP's, and have one that shoots 40gr. VMax over 4198 into tiny groups.

IMHO the best thing you can do for your son and his rifle is to get a pre-accutrigger trigger from sharpshooter supply. at thirteen he will require some schooling on the "light" trigger but you will see the groups shrink right before your eyes.