Home Forums Reloading Big Game Rifles 250 Savage bullets

I've got a mid-'20s Model 99 with a 24" 1:14 twist barrel. Can anyone recommend some shorter 100 gr. spitzers for deer that I might have some luck getting to stabilize in this barrel? I know it's a bit of a crap shoot with this slow-twist barrel but I'm hoping that there might be a couple of promising ones to try.

You might try some 75 grain Barnes X. Last time I was on their site they had them for $14.50 a box.

I am shooting 85gr X in my 250AI, albeit faster twist.


You can get some velocity with the 75's which will also help to counter the slower twist.

I too am working with a 250AI, twist is quicker though.

I run R15 and 100 TSX and 110 Accu's.

For your project I would give the 85 NBT a go.

Mark D

There's always the 87 grain Speer Hot-Cor if the 100s don't work out.

I'd not be afraid of sticking a deer with that bullet either.

Mark D

Been shooting the bulk-pack 100gr. Rem PSP-CL bullets in mine. They have a blunt tip and are pretty short for 100gr. bullets.

My 99 was made in the late '30s.... shoots them just fine. They kill hogs, too <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

Awesome avatar Steelhead!

Thanks for the tips guys. I've been using the Sierra 87s. I'll have to try the Speers (87s and 100s). I thought about the Remmy 100s but didn't figure I'd get much more out of 'em than they do in the factory loadings.

I haven't tried one on meat yet, but the impression I have is the Speer Hot-Cor 87 (not their Varminter) is a better deer bullet (among projectiles of conventional construction) than the 85-87 grainers from other manufacturers which tend to be designed as varmint bullets.

The 100 gr. Speer will work fine in your rifle and it ia very deadly on deer at 250 velocities. powdr

I'll give the Speer 100 Hot Cores a try then. I don't want to push them much faster than about 2750fps with IMR3031 in this old girl. Hopefully that's fast enough to stabilize them. If so, I think they will make for some pretty darn good Blacktail medicine. If not, I'll give the Speer 87s a try.

Oly- I have found nothing better than the 100 grain Partition. Mine stabilizes them fine. Another underated bullet is the 87 grain Hornady. Killed a few pigs with it and got complete penetration on broadside shots.

How fast were you pushing them? How big were the pigs, and what were the shot presentations? You've got me interested in testing this bullet against the little Speer.

mathman