Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Savage Collectors Old 250 still getting it done

Today is the last day of Kansas rifle season, I'd about given up hope to fill my doe tag this morning when 3 does came into the clover patch. 87 Speer Hot Core out of my 1953 M99R took out the far shoulder and exited at about 100 yards.The doe ran maybe 50 yards, about the same as all those I've shot with it in years past.
The rifle has some history in the family, it was my Sister in Laws Mothers rifle when she was growing up in Wyoming. She said they ate pretty well from what they got with that rifle, deer, antelope and even elk. I loaded the doe up and ran over to her house to show her the old gun is still making meat.Her folks are gone now but she said it looks like they're still hunting.
It's been a 250 kind of year, I killed my buck in the same patch of clover opening day with a 1975 Ruger M77 Tang Safety in 250-3000 with the Speer 100 gr Hot Core. From the way he was standing, the shot went in just above the heart, but exited high shoulder on the far side. He dropped and never moved.
I've got another doe tag I'll try to fill in the January late anterless season. Think I'll back off even more years and use a cast bullet out of a 38-55.

You may consider changing your handle to Ole 250. Good job!

I hear ya, the ol 270 has only been used once in the last 10 years. Between the pair of 250s and a M77 MkII 257 Roberts, even the M70 Classic Fwt has taken a back seat.

what cal is m70?


Pre 64?

Ironic how some guys lay praise to the capabilities of older cartridges like the 250 while others want to blow the 99 out to modern chamberings in the never ending quest of "getting it done." The 250 does and that's a damn interesting thing all unto itself. Good show and be sure to let us know how that 38-55 works out!

M70 is one of the last couple years of New Haven Fwts, 243. Probably didn't describe it right in the 1st post. I've taken several deer and an antelope with it, just like the older rifles better

The 38-55 has a couple deer to it's credit, both taken with a home cast 250 gr bullet. One at 1400 fps, the other at 1600. Neither went 30 yards and they sure didn't slow that big chunk of lead down much.

Congratulations! I love the 1/4 bores. I didn't see any antlers all season long in NY, but I did fill a doe tag with an FN Carolina built 70 Featherweight in my favorite, 257 Rob. I would love to find a rat 99, rebarrel it to a 20" 257 Rob and redo the stock with a satin hand rubbed Permalyn oil finish. Of course, I still want an 1899 250-3000 in very good condition.

I was the opposite, saw nothing but bucks for a week. This morning was the first mature does I've seen since the season opened.

Yeah, I've never had that problem. Must be awful.

Very nice, meat in the freezer is always a good thing!

She shot elk with a 250 savage?

Her folks did. When I got the rifle I asked about that, he said he used the 117 grain bullets (Sierra no less), liked to sneak in close and shoot them in the neck. When I started loading for it, I loaded some of the 117 Sierras he had given me and they keyholed at 100 yards, full profile holes of the bullet hitting paper completely sideways. No wonder he liked to get close.

wifes grand dad feed his family with elk in colorado during the depression with a 99 in 250-3000. my father in law said all were one shot kills. the way my fil shot i believe it.

Yeah, the 38-55 seems to be one of those cartridges that has a reputation of outperforming its paper ballistics.