Stevens 200 bolt head mods for Grendel

[AFRO408]

G'day,

I've just modified the bolt head, on a Stevens 200, .223 size bolt head, to take the Grendel.
It was easy to open up for the case head ( I made it .446" ) but the extractor sat too far in to work. I couldn't just grind some from the claw, because the countersink underneath, that the 1/8" ball sits in, would have been cut into. I had to shift the hole slightly outwards. Hmmm.
This is where the extractor used to sit.

and this is where it sits now.

I simply cut a larger hole, to take a 3/16" ball and kept the inner edge of the hole in the same place, cutting metal from the outer side, thus shifting the centre of the hole outwards. You can see the bottom of the old spring hole here.

[AFRO408]

The bolt head now takes the Grendel case nicely.

[LRRPF52]

".223? We don't need no stinking .223!"

For bolt action rifles using a small action, the Grendel makes chambering in .223 almost obsolete. Your work and problem-solving skills are admirable, sir.

[ricsmall]

very nice! wish you were closer, I have a perfect candidate for that treatment!

[AFRO408]

very nice! wish you were closer, I have a perfect candidate for that treatment!

Hehe Just post it over mate.

[AFRO408]

Hi again,
I was out at out range, for the monthly Field Rifle shoot and took the newly barrelled 200 Stevens 6.5 Grendel along to try.
Lapua cases, Sierra 120g HPBT's, ICI BR4 primers and 28g of ADI 2208. 6x42 Meopta scope in Tally mounts.
Barrel is a CrMo from TSE and is 25 3/4" (654mm) long #3 profile.
Wind gusting from left. Three sighters and five for the group. These were the first 8 shots fired from this barrel.

[adamjp]

Looking good Tony. Did you get TSE to lap the barrel before shipping?

Will be great to see how that rifle goes once it is run in and you have some loads worked up for it.

Is that with new reamer, or the loaner?

[AFRO408]

Thanks Adam,
I didn't get it lapped beforehand, but when I ran a patch through it, prior to fitting, it felt really smooth and even. I'm happy with that load, considering my age and my bench technique sux.
It was chambered with the loaner, mine hasn't arrived yet.

[ricsmall]

very nice tony. good to see ya on here again. thats pretty great for the 1st 8 shots out of that tube!

[BjornF16]

Nice looking gun Tony...what max COAL can you run with the Stevens?