Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles Looking for .250 Savage bolt action... or parts to build one

I have a friend that is looking for a mild dual purpose light weight walking around rifle. I have suggested the .250 or better still the .250 Ackley. I haven't had any luck with an INTERNET search yet. Does anyone here have a line on one?
If we end up looking for a Donner rifle I'm not clear on bolt face size... surely a 22-250 would need no modifications, but I'm guessing there a others that would work also.
Any leads or information will be appreciated.
Thanks, John

I have a Ruger 77R tang safety in 250-3000 that I am told has had a Hill Country Rifle accuracy job done on it. I took it in trade and have not shot it. I also have a NIB Savage 110FNS in 257 Roberts and a nice Remington 722 in 257 Roberts if those would do in lieu of the 250. PM me if your interested.

Jeff

There has not been much commercial production of the 250 Sav for many years. I (think) A Rem 700 classic was offered but those would probably be hard to find. Any 308 bolt face rifle would work as a donor.

FWIW: If what he wants is something mild, why bother with the Ackley version?? That sort of seems like buying a 7x57 because it is milder than a 280, then trying to stuff in enough powder to make it shoot as fast as a 280.........Chasing one's tail so to speak.

JimF

I have a Remington 700 Classic in 250 Savage that I'm gonna post later this week for sale. PM me if your interesed.

BBQ.

That sounds about right. Since almost every action currently offered is chambered in the 22-250, you should be able to rebarrel one easily.

I note that 22-250s come and go often at the local gun shop, so getting a donor should be pretty easy.

Good luck,

BMT

That would be a heckuva place to start. If it has been shot or hunted with, there's not much blue sky value left anyway. A guy could buy that rig, slap on a Bansner to save a lb, then still put it back together in more or less original form.

JimF

I built one a couple of years ago, based on a model 70 compact and I am glad I did. I sent the original barreled action to douglas and they copied the contour with the new 250-3000 barrel. It dropped right into the original wood stock. replaced the plastic trigger guard and grip cap with steel parts and installed a pachmayr recoil pad, just for looks. all metal was rust blued and I mounted a 2.5x8 leupie in talley rings and bases. originally built the rifle for me but is was too small for my long arms. my kids love it though and it has become a prized possession. a side not, I started handloading when I acquired my first 250 savage, a rem 700 classic. this lead to lots of money spent and some 34 rcbs die sets. have since sold many of the rifles as I lost interest in wildcats and stuff that, somehow or other, simply never made it out of the safe season after season. all that experimenting brought me back full circle to where I started....the 270 win.

JimF, I suggested the Ackley because I'm trying to lure my pal into reloading <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> If memory serves the .250 imp. was one of Ackley's personal favorits. Not much power used for lots of preformance.The amount of muzzle blast is a factor with this idea. People keep building houses around here <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />
I would be interested re any more info on the Ackley version. I've never met one....
John

I have two..one on a 98 and ond on a 700 SA. The 700 was originally chambered for a 300 Sav., so same bolt face.

I have 24 inch Douglas barrels on both, and can`t believe the performance I realize out of this small case. 117 grn grn. bullets close to 3000 fps, 75 grn over 3500fps and 100 grn over 3200 fps. These all over a crony. I show no pressure signs with either rifle. Accuracy is excellent. The 700 is no more accurate than the Mauser. I thought maybe it would be. Four years ago I took the Mauser to Wy. for deer/antilope hunt. Killed one of each NOW, using 100 grn. Sierra`s. Both shots were within 200 yrds.
I can`t say enough bout this case. And it is efficient, and flexable just like ole P.O. says it is!!

CGPaul, Which chamber do you have, 28 or 40 degree? Do you have load data handy?
Thanks, John

OTOH, I have had 2 250AIs, both with 40 degree shoulders, and I felt that the hype exceeded the reality. I have decided that, for me, the 25 Souper is a better choice in a short barreled 25 and the 25-284 is a better choice in a longer barreled 25.

My current 25 Souper is an early Ruger 77 RSI which started as a 250-3000, became a 250AI, and subsequently has evolved forward into a 25 Souper. The advantages, FMPOV, in the 25 Souper are smoother feeding, greater case capacity, and the common availability of great Norma brass. Although, I occassionally run across some old Herters 250 brass and that was made by Norma.

Jeff

2W:

Luring your buddy into reloading is laudable. (Especially if you talk him into some cool tools that you can borrow..... <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />)

I guess my point was that if a mild rig is the goal, why bother trying to squeeze more velocity out of it? He could load the std 250 to more effective levels and with better bullets. Seems to me that for the purpose intended, the AI version would not likely offer him any advantages. Also, I suppose that for a beginning reloader, there is some merit in the KISS principle.

Then again, my mom did not raise any smart kids that lived.

JimF

I had a 250 Savage years back. It's a nice, mild cartridge (the most pleasant deer-sized round I've ever shot). Still, it really needs handloading to reach its potential. If you want a bit more than the 250 I'd go with the 257 Rbt's. Nice cartridge. The M70 SA handles it well as the magazine can be opened to 3". Another (better) route is to just buy a Kimber Montana in 260 and call her good... I call the 260 "The Better Bob"... really it's more versatile, yet still plenty mild. Shoot it til' the barrel pukes, then turn it into a 250 Savage or whatever...

2ndwind..I`ve the 40 degree AI.
I understand what other members are talking bout in hand-loading the standard 250, except that when you push the case for extra zip, case streach dose become a real problem. The AI still gives you mild recoil, and in my 700, feeding is not an issue. All the .25 so listed have their merrits, and it will be up to you to pick the best combo to fit your needs.

I`m not close to my loading records now, so will have to post loading info at a later date.

Some powders tho..Varget, RL-15, Rl-19, IMR 4320, IMR 4895, are some that come to mind, and most are around 40 grns. I use Fed Match primers.

would you guys stop talking about me as if i am the village idiot. yes, i am 2ndwinds (note that means blows a lot) friend that has an interest in a .250 savage. i happen to be a lover of the older cartridges and am seeking a light walk around rifle to use on a range of game from ground hogs to deer. Now note that i have two gun safes stuffed full and overflowing with centerfires from .22 hornet to .45-70 and multiples of many. and by the way i was handloading when 2ndwind was still in grade school. just haven't done much since i moved up here to appalachia. the terrain up here is quite steep and a lightweight mild caliber would be perfect for roaming the woods. my .300 savage is in the model 99 and gets a bit heavy for an old man after a day of roaming the ridges. also does a nasty job on the ground hogs. anyway that is why the interst in the .250 savage.

jp

If you want light, why not go with a 700 Ti or Kimber MT in 260? 1997's answer to the 1915 vintage 250-3000.

Jeff

looked at a Kimber montana in .243. the gun cost more than i am willing to put out for another firearm at this time. it was a really nice piece and i had a hard time putting it down: however, the $1000 buck price tag seemed a bit much for a walking around rifle. actually i was more interested in the ruger that you mentioned. understand my bud already has the particulars so will consult with him. must admit i would prefer the ruger in RSI version. had one of those and gave to my nephew in Texas. it is now down to his second child so i guess it won't see that one again. same nephew also got my 25-06 so no longer have a .25 caliber around the house.

jp

260 you have a PM

Hey NARPI, Welcome to the campfire. Pull up a log and get inspired to spend some $ on stuff I can help you play with <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />
So I am just going to take a wild guess here... does your handle stand for national association of retired persons (who are) impaired???
It's true what he says guys, NARPI is older than dirt. He also walks me down into the dirt on the ridge tops around here since the guy lives on his Nordic Track. It is kind of embarrassing for a young buck like me to be complaining of chest pains when he hasn't broken a sweat yet <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" />
I also stand corrected. He did reload a long time ago... for his musket !