I am looking for a few suggestions for deer loads for my 250-3000. Its a early 1899 takedown, I had rebarreled (solid now)a few years ago as its barrel had a hard life. So it now sports a very accurate 22" original contour 1:10".

Ive been loading 100gr Hornady Interlocks and have taken a few deer with it so far. Performance in a mild 2675 doesnt seem as emphatic as the W-W 100gr Silvertip loads we used for so many years so Im looking at a few more to try.
I have also recently kicked up the velocity on this Hornady to 2870 but havent been able to test it yet.

I also have a load for the Sierra 90 gameking at 3015 that I have not hunted yet as Ive heard varied reports of it as a deer bullet.

What are your favorite deer loads?

I sure ain't MuleDeer, but I've been hunting with a .250-3000 for several decades and have had great results on deer and antelope out of a 1:10" twist barrel with the 100gr TTSX, the 110gr Accubond, and the 100gr Ballistic Tip.

The first two deer I took with my .250-3000 were with the 100gr Remington CoreLokt component bullet purchased from Midway USA. The BC isn't that great, but it performs well on game, with both deer dropping quickly.

I tried the 100gr TSX (NOT the TTSX) but both deer and the antelope I took with that bullet out of my .250-3000 ran quite a ways before keeling over, well in excess of 100yds for the deer and over 250yds for the antelope. Both deer were shot at less than 50yds and the antelope at a fuzz over 300yds.

I shot one big ol' doe whitetail with the 100gr Speer Hot-Cor flat base spitzer and she just sat down right there and laid over. Never took another step.

Not MD, but I shoot a 250 savage in a BOLT GUN and my load is 36.5gr of Big Game behind a 100gr Hornady Interlock or Nosler Ballistic tip. Runs about 2950 out of my gun at 6500ft elevation. 3 shot 3/4 inch groups. Kills antelope and deer quite dead.

Hornady 100 grain interlock and 36.0/Big Game for about 2850 fps.

87 grain Speer Hot-Cor with 34-35 grains of H4895 with a velocity range of 2920-2980 in 20" and 22" barrel, respectively. 1-10 and 1-14" ROT.

87gr Hot-core and 37gr IMR4320 clocks 3071 out of my 99 and lays deer down quickly. 100gr Hornady and 37gr RL15 does 3003fps and drops deer very nicely from my M700.

I shoot Nosler BT 100 grain and if I ever change that, I will try the Nosler Partition 100 grain. Jack

I built a 250 for my kids to start hunting with back in the 90s. MD suggested the 100 grain Partitions and I found a load with H380 and R15 that was really good. My kids and I have killed some 10 cow elk and 5 or 6 mule deer with that combo. I have never recovered a partition and they definitely expand! Some suggested I switch to 115s for elk but since the 100s always seem to exit I don't see the point. Milder recoil and muzzle blast that the 243.

Oh, and welcome to the fire.

I'd sling 80gr TTSX's at 3100+

I am shooting the Hornady 117 gr round nose with 39.5 grs of H-4821sc. Shoots 3 shots under 3/4 inch. I got the load from Steelhead. Thanks scott.

Doc

I like the Hornady round nose as well. I know it was probably designed for the slower 25-35 Winchester, but every deer I used them on ran like a bat out of hell.

Have to agree with Steelhead. Take the guess work out of it and go with 80 grain TTSX as fast as you can safely push it.

Wilderness Blacktail,

Seems like the responses so far have pretty much covered the spectrum.

My wife and I have always had great luck in the .250 with 100-grain bullets that expand pretty easily at typical velocities of 2800 fps or so. Have had good luck with the Speer Hot-Cor and Nosler Partition. While we have also used the 115 Partition a little (and it worked fine), like dennisinaz has experienced, the 100-grain Partition penetrates great and seems to kill quicker at .250 velocities. In fact the 100 Partition seems to penetrate just as deeply as the 100-grain TSX, and we've killed plenty of animals with both bullets.

I haven't been as impressed with "harder" bullets in the .250, but that may be because we both tend to shoot animals behind the shoulder, in the lungs. The 100 Hornady Spire Point works quite well at over 3000 fps but seems a little hard to me at .250 velocities. Haven't used the 80 TTSX in the .250 but have used the 100 TSX and TTSX in faster .25's and we definitely prefer the tipped version to the hollow-point, as fast as it can be pushed. So wouldn't be surprised if the 80 TTSX performs well.

But have had such good luck with bullets that fragment at least somewhat at .250 velocities, especially on lung shots, that will probably continue to use them.

Well I have some thin experience with the 250-3000, I had a Savage 99 so chambered, I shot just four white tails with it, all I can say is that a 100 gr Hornaday or Speer SP is going to work just fine, and if your barrel likes the 117 gr Hornaday RN you are going to be in tall cotton! No need for the more stout bullets. Also if you wanted to take a bolt action sporter chambered for 22-250 and rebarrel to the 250-3000 its an easy thing to do, I know a number of people who did just that, no feeding or extraction issues, just the price of the rebarrel work!

I love the 90 grain Sierra HPGK in the 257 Roberts and bet it would work just as good in the 250. This bullets is more stout than you would think a hollow point would be but it has never failed to exit on any whitetail I have shot, that includes quartering away and towards.

Thanks for the great responses guys! And thanks for the welcome. Happy to be here.
Lots of good suggestions. I have owned this rifle for years and it has put many a deer down very quick for me and many more deer and hogs for my dad for the 20 years prior to me getting it. Before I started loading we always shot W-W 100gr Silvertips and had really quick clean kills. The Hornady killed fine but much slower. This country is steeep and they always run the wrong way lol.So yeah Im in favor of quick kills on a lung shot deer. Never been a shoulder shooter really.
Im with those who prefer the bullet expand fast and shed a little weight so I think I will try the 100gr Partitions and hopefully find a more affordable bullet that hits same POA to practice with. Anybody have a dual loading like that cooked up?

The 100 grain Speers shoot about the same but the jackets can come off sometimes on deer. I will look and see if I have a box for you.

Start throwing Barnes into the shoulder and you don't have to worry about them running the wrong way.

We throw the 100 gr TSX in our AI.

I see a couple mentions of the Ballistic Tip, has anyone had much experience with the 100 Sierra Gameking? Or Pro Hunter for that matter. I dont see the BTs in this caliber on the shelves locally but have seen the Sierras.

Skeezix, what velocity were you running those Accubonds? Powder? I hear good things about that bullet. I like how they are reported to expand even at lower velocities. That your experience as well?

Go with that 90 grain Sierra Hollow point and shoot them in the lungs. Pretty much instant death. Cheaper than Ballistic Tips and I bet just as deadly.

I realize the OP was asking about use in a 99, which has to take into account twist rate. I have two modern bolts, ruger M77 and cooper M54 with 10 twists. I use both the 100gr core-lokts and 100gr BTs with equally great results. I could be happy with either but the BTs are very accurate in my rifles.

The Pro hunters are pretty darn good. Just not very 'trendy' on the fire.

Hell, I'd find some Remington Core-lokts, they are a real turd.

Most Sierras aren't trendy but then again the deer don't like them at all either, seems too be a common theme!!