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I have a Model 1899, built in 1915 project. Factory 100 grain Remington loads shoot ok most of the time. Handloading, I have tried 4 powders under 100 grain Hornady softpoints, and 90 grain Sierra boattails. 100 yard groups cant be considered groups. Have tried 2 scopes as well. Buehler mounts, which folks tell me were good for the day.
Tonight I shot a string at 25 yds, 3/4 inch group. Would this indicate that my bullets arent stabilizing for the 100 yd targets? If so, should I increase/ decrease velocity, try a different light bullet, or what? The gun is well worn, firing pin strikes the primer off center. Trigger is awesome, better than most modern centerfires. I really want to keep this gun, but it's hard to keep a dog that won't hunt. Thanks in advance for the help.

Might want to order a box of Speer Hot Cores in 87gr, they work very well in all of my 250's so far. As for powder, simple old H4895 give me good velocity and accuracy.

Another thing to try might be to remove the forearm and try some groups with the bottom of the receiver on the rest. Put no pressure on the barrel. Sometimes the forearms can mess up the accuracy by putting inconsistent pressure on the barrel.

Welcome to the forum!

Buzsaw, I and a lot of the guys here have had good luck with 100 and 87 grain Speer HotCors in the Savage .250-3000. The 100 grain Speer is a little shorter than most other 100 grain bullets and seems to stabilize better in the slow twist Savage barrel. Many swear by the 87 grainers, which definitely stabilize in the Savage, but my personal preference leans towards a little extra weight for deer size game. Reloader 15 is my powder of choice. I get 1.5" groups from all three of my pre-1920 .250-3000s.

Thanks for the quick replys! I guess I'll try the speers. I have tried h380, h4895, rl15, and h4350. The 25 yd groups give me hope, but then again, maybe the old girl is just wore out. Should I lean towards the high or low end on the powder charge?

I get close to 3000fps without going too close to the max loads. See how it goes as you walk up from starting to mid-range.

Thanks. This gun is frustrating!

Yep. And don't that make it all the more fun?

Reloder 15 works great for a lot of us. I settled on 36.0 grains with the 87 Speer.

I use 40 gr. fffG black powder. (Kidding!!)

I too have a 1915 250, that shoots the 100gr. Rem factory load good sometimes and not so hot other times. Just as other folks say best accuracy comes with the 87 Speer and in my case the 87 Sierra also. One of my best loads uses H4350 at the book max charge with either of the above bullets. Velocity is right at 2900. Have also had good luck with RL15, 3031, either one of the 4895s and H414. I saved this rifle from the spare parts heap and it isn't the most accurate 250 I've owned 1 1/2 inch groups are about the best it will do. I have taken a few deer with it at modest ranges longest shot was about 150 yds. and that was a 100gr factory load. Yep these old guns can be frustrating but they are fun for us tinker'ers.

1.5" groups at 100 yards is plenty accurate enough to kill deer out to 300 yards. That's as good or better than the average bolt gun shooting factory ammo.

My accuracy load for testing M99 250-3000s is 34.5 grains of H4895 and 87 or 90 bullets. With a tuned trigger groups under .750" are often possible. Good luck.

I'll try the shortest 87 grain bullets I can find. If they dont shoot at 100 yds, I guess I'll have to move up. Also will try without forend. Hope thats ok with a takedown. Hope the weather clears up soon.

Buzsaw, I just noticed that your from Wyoming. Get that .250-3000 Savage running right and I know you'll find it to be one heck of a good coyote rifle. I use mine quite a bit here in Montana.

That's what I'm hoping for. What tang sight do you have on that 99?

A 3/4" group at 25 yards translates to a 3" group at 100 yards. The 1-14" twist has been an albatross on the necks of the older .250-3000 rifles when it comes to paper punching with 100-grain bullets. At the same time, it does serve as minute-of-deer. I have a (dwindling) supply of the old Remington 100-grain roundnose bullets which are shorter than the currently available 100-grain spitzers, and they exhibit MOA accuracy. Your best bet is to use the Speer 87-grain Hot-Cor bullets. It is built for deer-size game.

I couldnt find the 87 hot cores at 3 different gun shops in Rapid City, so I tried the hornadys. The problem I have is, 3/4 at 25 doesnt equate to 3 inch at 100. There is no group at 100. I would be happy with 4 inch at 100 with this gun. Hornady and sierra also make a 75 grain bullet. Has anyone tried these in the 1:14 twist rifles?

its not so much about the weight of the bullet in terms of grains its a matter of the length of the bullet... you need a shorter bullet. Try ordering the hot cores online, I imagine you will be able to find a vendor without a lot of issue and will have them in hand no later than the middle of next week if you order over the weekend.

Others here with more experience might be able to give you more direct advice.

Personally, I like the old 87 grn Winchester lubaloys and they shoot well out of my 1-14" 99s so I have bought a half dozen+ boxes over the years...

I agree with Drew. My 1920 loves Speer 87's over RL-15. I also have a "R" in 250 and a "G". Same load is great in all 3. I nver even considered a 100 grain pill. 13 grains won't kill a deer any deader.

I was just looking at Speers online. I think Graf's had the best shipping price.