Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Savage Collectors 250 handloads

I have a 250 Savage take down with a 1:14 twist barrel. It shoots Remington 100gr. factory ammo great--thumbnail sized groups at 50 yards. The problem is I can't seem to construct a load that comes close to that accuracy. I know the Nosler 100 grainers won't stabilize. I have 100 grain Sierra Game Kings and 100 grain Hornady SP's. Have tried H4895, RL15, IMR 4064 and BL-C2. IMR 4064 and BL-C2 seem to be the best. I'm pushing the bullets out at 2750-2900fps. The factory loads are near to 2650-2700fps. Is the speed possibly the answer? I have some loaded now that should duplicate factory speed but I haven't shot them yet. Has anyone had similar experiences and if so what have you found to be effective. Thanks!

I picked up some Remington Corelokt bullets and plan to reload them at the lower end of the scale, 2600 - 2700 fps using H4895.

Sub MOA groups at 50 yds still translates to Minute of Deer at 200 yds which is lots with open or peep sights.

Keep us informed of your results!

Thanks oldgrouser. I found out that Midway stocks those bullets and will probably try to pick some up. I know the Hornadys and Sierras that I have are a tad longer than the Remingtons.

I have found in my .300 Savage that once I get a velocity I am happy with and a consistent load (low velocity spreads), the next step is to index the bullet in or out in .010" increments (vary the COL). This can dramatically reduce group size at times. It is worth a try. The typical caveats apply.........like don't jamb into the lands and work up cautiously, etc, etc.

krag, move down to an 87gr or even a 75gr bullet and you should find success. Deer won't notice the difference, they will be just as dead. I'm using a 75 gr HP in my 250R that groundhogs really hate but, the R shoots MOA.

You have a PM, Rich.

There are 2 bullet weights that have never failed me in a 1 in 14" twist 250-3000:

The 87 and 75 grains.

I like the 87 grain Speers, HotCore for deer and TNT for varmints.

I like the 75 grain Barnes X for deer and either the 75 grain VMax or Sierra HP for varmints.

The 85 grain Barnes X might work too, but I like the 75 grain as I can shoot VMaxs for fun and save the discontinued Xs for serious business without rezeroing my rifle. These bullets have worked in a variety of Savage 99s, 1920s, and a couple of Winchester/USRA 70 Lightweight Carbines.

Jeff

Mine likes the 100 grain Sierra Prohunters over IMR-4350. Mid velocity load and at a 100 yds they are doing 3/4 of an inch when I do my part. If you have the IMR on hand, give it a try. Ryan