D300,
The 257s are my pet calibers. Living in the woodchuck capital of the world, a combination varmint / deer gun is my "cat's meow"!
As Calhoun said there were some good bolt action guns made recently by Remington, Ruger & Winchester but if you can find an early Savage Model 1920 or 26 with a good barrel don't go passing that up either. It's embarassing how good they shoot!
I've bought five 250-3000s in the last couple of years, a 1919 "1899" deluxe, a 1927 99 "F", 1922 Model 1920 (bolt action), a 1956 "F" and lastly a 1976 "CD". I've passed along the two early takedowns, but the rest are incredible shooting guns. (Actually, so were the TDs but they had chamber issues!)
Read the 1948 classic "Shots at Whitetails" by Larry Koller and you'll get an idea of what the 250-3000 Sav. is all about.
As long as the 22-250 lives, we'll never be out of brass and with handloads this caliber SHINES!
Why SAVAGE in this MAGNUM crazy world, doesn't release a proprietary cartridge like the 250 Savage Ackley Improved is a wonder??? ( Is anybody up there listening? )
Good hunting !!!