I just picked up a Stevens 200 chambered in .270 and I'm looking to get some gun smithing practice in.

Does anyone have any experience rebarreling a Savage/Stevens action? Any advice for someone who's never done it before? Know any good, cheaper barrel maker?

Any suggestions on the new chambering? It's a long action so it is pretty flexible. I'm looking for something more inherently accurate and easier to find ammo in than .270. Or maybe you think .270 is a great choice?

Thanks for the help.

I've shot several of the 200 series, but never tinkered with one.  However, if you already have a long action, .30-06 is a pretty decent choice.  Dozens of readily-available commercial loads, hundreds of available bullets if you are into reloading, and over a hundred years of proven flexibility and reliability. 

But then again, my bias for the .30-06 is well-known in these circles!

I always read the gunsmithing articles in Shotgun News, and I notice that he very often turns to Brownells for his barrels.

I got a whole bunch I can tell you about Savage.  When I get some time I can write some of this stuff up.
For right now look at Mcgowen Barrels for drop-in prechambered barrels.  There turn around is very quick on normal calibers, and quality on mine is top notch! 

What did you want to use the rifle for? Target, Hunting?

I'm looking for both target and hunting. Maybe thinking about .308 but then I saw the .338 Edge (I know, I know, totally different purposes).

I did do a little research and found that McGowen sells barrels through Savage-Barrels.com. They look like a pretty good quality/price balance.

One thing I think I'm going to have problems with is a stock. It looks like there are a lot fewer options for the long action.

For the .470 bolt face you could run any of these...

225 Winchester, 22/250 Remingtion, 6mm Norma BR, 243 Win, 250 Savage, 260 Rem, 6.5x47
6.5/284 Norma, 7/08 Rem, 284 win, 300 Savage, 308 Win, 338 Federal, 35 Rem, and
the 358 Winchester .220 Swift, 6mm Rem, 240 Weatherby Mag, 257 Roberts, 25-06 Rem,
6.5x55 Swedish, 270 Win, 7x57 Mauser, 7x64 Brenneke, 280 Rem, 30/06 Springfield,
8mm Mauser, 338/06 A Square, and the 35 Whelen.  I probably missed some..

Of course, on Savage/Stevens the bolt face can be changed out so your options are pretty much endless.

On my next project I was thinking of do something wildcat but easy. 6mm SuperLR or the 6.5mm SuperLR.

If you are going to reload .260, 6.5x47Lapua, .284, or better use of your long action the 6.5x55 sweed, or .30-06.
Any of these will shoot circles around a .308 ballistics.   
Otherwise, best bet would be .308 for factory match type ammo. 
 
Also look at Jim Briggs at Northland Shooters Supply.
He carries Shilen and Mcgowen, as well as factory take offs, actions, and other stuff

Contact Information for NSS:
E-mail - briggs.j-b (at) q (dot) com
Phone - 763/682-4296
Fax - 763/682-6098
Mailing address:
PO Box 333
Buffalo, MN 55313

Oh and look for a ground recoil lug, the factory stamped recoil lug is usually not very flat.

You will need a barrel nut wrench, go and no-go gauges, and probably a barrel vise to get the old barrel off.

Hey Heavies,
Do you know if it's possible to convert the regular long action to a magnum caliber like .300 WM or .338 RUM? For that matter, could I even fit the rounds in the magazine?

Hey Heavies,
Do you know if it's possible to convert the regular long action to a magnum caliber like .300 WM or .338 RUM? For that matter, could I even fit the rounds in the magazine?

From what I know it is very possible. You would need to change up the bolt head to magnum bolt face.  Brownells has them for like $30 or something.

 Feeding, however, might be another story. The bigger magnum cases may mean you need to do some mods to the feed lips or something.  Or maybe a stock with a DBM system that has magazines for magnum rounds. 
http://www.xlrindustries.com/

I have heard thus guy is a savage guru, does action timing, has nice bolt knobs and other goodies.
http://www.stockadegunstocks.com/testimonials.html

It's gonna be a killer LR rig!  

Thanks for the info. Do you know how easy it is to change the bolt head?

I like that Kevin Rayhill's stocks have different levels of finish so you save a little money and do it yourself. Sounds perfect for people who work on Savages. I'd like to get that Prarie Dog/Tactical stock in the money saver form but don't know if I could handle all the work that goes into it, and I don't know how much work it needs. I would probably get their bolt handle, lift kit, and recoil lugs, though.

Bell and Carlson also have their Medalist stock in Savage Long action form with aluminum bedding block.

I would love to have an XLR Industries chassis, but that looks like my whole budget for the rifle. It would be great if the Eberlestock Chassis were out and cheaper. That looks like a really nice one.

As for the ammo, maybe I should just measure the magazine length and see. Anyone happen to know the length of a loaded .338 RUM cartridge

3.6" nom. ?

http://www.gunczar.com/338rum.html