Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Ask The Gunwriters 250 Savage in strong bolt actions

Loading data in manuals for the .250 Savage reflect the use of the Savage model 99 for which it was chambered originally.
Has anyone tried to find out what the best performance is in a strong bolt action with 100-120 grain bullets and modern powders?
Both Cooper and savage chamber their bolt guns for the .250 Savage.
Like to hear from someone who has done it.
Thank you for yor time.

The Sierra Manual (latest edition) has data for the .250 Savage using bolt actions. It even has data on the .250AI.

I use the AI version, so I can't help any on the load info for the standard version.

The Savage 99 isn't exactly a weak action, so I don't know that the current reloading manuals set the recommended load ranges for a lower pressure limit. The limiting factors for the 250-3000 are case capacity, around 46 grains, and the rate of twist of the barrel.

The 250-3000, at 46 grains, just has less case capacity than the 243 (54 grains), 6mm Rem (56 grains), and 257 Roberts (56 grains).

Since 1960, all of the factory production rifles from Remington, Ruger, and Savage have had 1 in 10" ROT barrels, so that you could shoot bullets heavier than 100 grains. For some unknown reason, when Winchester/USRA made a run of 70 Lightweight Carbines in 1987, they made them with 1 in 14" ROT barrels.

If you're willing to take the chance, you can always exceed the reloading manuals' recommended maximum load data. Or, you can just increase your velocity potential by increasing the case capacity or by lowering the bullet weight. There isn't any free lunch when it comes to bullet velocity. You're limited by a mix of 3 factors; pressure, case capacity, and bullet weight.

Jeff

I have a few 250s` in bolt guns. My first bolt gun in this caliber was a mod 20 Savage which I still own. I loaded a lot for that gun in original form, 12 twist IIRC, then had it rebarreled to 1-10. The limiting factor with this cartridge, and one that P.O. Ackley agreed with, is case taper. You can run this case hot with any load you wish, but as you reach max. charges, you will be trimming every other time you load. You will also have case head seperation, even if mindfull of head space. So, tho I still have the 20s` my 700s` are in AI.

I normally shoot 1 or 2 grs. below bolt action max in my 99s...I have found that to be about right. Many of the loading manuals are for bolt actions and they will tell you on the first page. 1 or 2 grs. won't make any noticeable differnce in killing power on game or in how flat the round will shoot..

Pretty much what everybody else said, except I'll quote some velocities. I've owned at least half-a-dozen 99's and 3-4 bolt actions in .250. Of course it depends somewhat on the barrel length as well:

In a bolt rifle I've gotten over 3200 with fine accuracy with the 75-grain Hornady V-Max, and would probably choose that as the best all-around varmint bullet. In a bolt-action with a 22-24" barrel its easy to get 3000 fps or so with a 100-grain, and 2750 or even more with a 115-120. Even with a 1-10" twist, however, the slowest useable powders such as H4831 (which provide top velocities with 115-120 grain bullets) often don't provide the best accuracy. This is kind of irrelevant at normal .250 ranges, but there it is, for what it's worth.

I quit trying to make the .250 into a .257 Roberts many years ago, just about the time I quit trying to make the .30-06 into a .300 magnum. The .250 works great as a deer rifle with a 100-grain bullet at 2800 or so, and has perhaps the lightest recoil of any real deer rifle. That was what Charles Newton designed it to do in the beginning, and it's still just right.

I have a Rem. 700 chambered in .250 Savage. With 40 gr, H414 and 100 gr. bullets it chrono's 3050 fps and shows no sings of high pressure. That load is really accurate in my rifle too. You can't get much more from a .243. It's just a more efficient case and if you want you can shoot heavier bullets in it than you can in a .243. I'd take a .250 over a .243 anyday. The .250 is a way underated cartridge and should be a lot more popular than it is. Just my opinion and two cents worth.

I've got a250-3000 and a 250 savage both 99 well satisfyed with these guns ,both are good shooters also.

Remember, the Savage 99 was chambered in 308 Winchester, not a low pressure round.

What Mule Deer said. Only have one and it shoots Partitions in groups about half the size of Ballistic Tips. Consistently. Dunno why that bugs me. A little.

JB, I gather you have as much or more love for the 257....seems you have/had one in a Kimber? Just curious. Looks like a neat 25 in a 'right sized' package.....funny coming from a 6.5 nut as myself but I have considered one....since there not chambered in 250-3000

I seem to recall you get very good accuracy for a light hunting rifle...

I've got a 250 NULA, and it is a sweetie. Shoots 100gr anythings at about 2900 at 1 inch or less. I know it must recoil, but have not noticed it do so. All the hits are seen in the scope(Leupold 2.5-8) Easy to carry, easy to hit with. And kills cleanly.

The 250 Savage is a hidden jewel.

Steve

I have two standard 250 Savage bolt action rifles, and one in 250AI.
The standard 250's are a Rem Classic, and a custom one on a Model 98 action, with a Douglas barrel.
Here are two pix of groups they shoot at 100 yards.

The lighter loading data for the lever guns has more to do with the extraction camming available, than actual action strength. A modern bolt action has significantly more primary extraction....hence the ability to run at higher pressures w/o extraction issues.

In a bolt gun, the 250 Savage is treated just like any other cartridge. The AI version takes this cartridge to a whole different level.

Good shootin'. -Al

I believe there was also a change to the frame of the 99, when they started chambering the .308. I certainly wouldn't want to run bolt gun pressures in my pre-war .250-3000.

Jeff

I've often considered building a light weight 250 Savage bolt action rifle as it is an excellent deer cartridge and the sound is relatively low. I have fairly severe hearing loss and do not want to add to the loss; the 250 would be ideal.

The receiver was lengthened internally for the 243/308/358 cartridges at the 900,000 serial number mark. Previous to this it was sized for 250/300 Savage, and just not long enough for the Winchester cartridges.

Don't think there was any strengthening added.

Is what happened to this one. Was a .22-250, need a tomato stake?

I always think the .250 Savage is a great end point for a .22-250 workover. I have a tang safety M77 .250 Savage in my grandkid collection, it is an excellent rifle.

jim

That would make a great makeover for a Stevens 200 that's in my safe. Right now it's a 243.

It's nice to read about cartridges that have been around for awhile versus the short, fat crowd.