.250-3000 Savage vs. the "new" Hornaday .30-30

BrutalAttack · 12-09-2006, 10:18 AM

Ok this is the deal: I'm trying to get my dad an old Savage 99 for Christmas. He really, really wants one. The only problem is he wants the .30-30 version in the takedown 20" barrel. Those are hard to find in good condition and usually bring at a minimum $650. So I know there are some less expensive carbine 99s out there but not in .30-30. It isn't too hard to find a nice one in .250.

So, if I can convince him that the .250 is every bit the deer gun that the new .30-30 is, I can probably get him to get excited about getting one of those rather than the older .30-30 model.

The .250 was considerably before my time and I only know what little bit I've read. I wasn't able to locate much in the way of numbers etc. I was only able to find that it supposedly an push a 100 gr. bullet over 3000 fps.

So I guess I'm looking for info and opinions on a Model 99 in either cartridge. Is a .250 a good deer cartridge now that the LeverEvolution is available for the .30-30?

Thanks in advance.

Roskoe · 12-09-2006, 10:34 AM

You may have a hard time prying dad away from the nostalgia of the venerable old 30/30; but I would personally prefer the .250-3000 for deer hunting- particularly in more open country. I'm sure you've crunched all the ballistic numbers on these two, and the .250 has maybe 75 yards (I'm guessing here) more effective range?

HEAD0001 · 12-09-2006, 11:53 AM

I have two uncle's who both shoot 250 Savage caliber in Model 99's. They have killed alot of deer. The caliber is very effective. I would say compare it to 257 Roberts.

Did you try to find one on the "LEVERGUNS" forum. Try there if you haven't. It is a very busy forum, and there are alot of knowledgeable guys over there. If there is one anywhere, it will be there. Or someone there will know where to find one. Tom.

Doe Dumper · 12-09-2006, 12:41 PM

A 99 in 250-3000 is #1 on my hit list!! They just dont seem to exist around here. I seen a very nice one that had been confiscated from a guy hunting without a license but after he paid his fine and got it back he just sorta giggled when asked if it was for sale..lol. James B and his better half have quite a bit of deer killing experience with the 250 Im sure he will post when he sees this.

Roskoe · 12-09-2006, 12:55 PM

I looked at some of the numbers on these two . . . . the .250-3000 is pushing a 100 grain bullet almost 600 fps faster than the 30/30 is pushing a 150 grain bullet. I would expect the ballistic coefficient of the new "Ballistic Tip" 30/30 Hornady round to beslightly higher thanthe.257 100 spitzer. So 600 fps is worth quite a bit more than just 75 yards. Using the BC of a normal .308 150 Spitzer (.400), the 30/30 would be going just under 2,000 fps at 200 yards and .250-3000 could get to 400 yards before it fell to that same speed.Fairly significantdifference in trajectory and range.

Buckeye! · 12-09-2006, 02:44 PM

If I'm not mistaken the 250-3000 was pushing a 80gr. bullet 3000fps when it was first introduced.Today with new powders and ect. the 250 Savage can push a 100gr. bullet in a 24in. barral 2800 fps. I've read where some fellows can handload them a tad faster,but over a chrony I've never seen a 100gr. out of a 250 Savage faster than 2750fps. The sectional density of a 25 cal 100gr. bullet is .216 the SD of a 150gr. bullet coming from a 30-30 is .226 and the 170gr. bullet is a incredable .252. the vel. of a 30-30 150gr. bullet is 2390 fps. now the 25 cal bullet is traveling at a vel. 360 fps. faster but it has less SD and has less frontal area...

Now the biggest differenence in these two cartridges are the bullet perfromance the bullets for the 30-30 are made to perfrom at 30-30 Vel.s and the quality of bullets are amazing for this ole round you have the 170 Nosler the 150 gr. Barnes total copperloaded by PMC for only $15.00 a box the Federal Fusion ,Winchester Balistic Tip, (new soft pointed tip) and the Hornaday 160 gr. pointed soft tip...all these bullets are made to function at 30-30 vel. My personal fav. is the 170 gr. Rem. Cor-lokt and i'll continue to use this round till it fails ,and it never has ,out of the 20 some odd Whitetail taken with this ammo no bullet has been recovered .
As for the 25-3000 Savage it may be useing a bullet designed for the 25-06 ,if so it should have mundane performance at extended ranges...
As for the the greater range with the 250 Savage well that could be a advantage if the bullet funtions properly ,but would someone use a Savage 99 shooting distaces than 225 Yd.s or so with a 100gr. bullet at a Muzzel vel. at 2800fps.
I know for a fact a 30-30 can anchor and harvest a Whitetail at 225 yd.s with a$ 10.00 box of ammo. in a $200.00 carbine, with a $40.00 scope..

Maybe the 250 Savavge can also..
Hey I'm not knocking the 25 Savage its a great round ,and it like the 30 WCF performs on the field better than it does on paper.
i'm fan of all old non-magnum cartridges.

Buckeye

retrieverman · 12-09-2006, 03:26 PM

Maybe I am looking at this all wrong, but you did say that this is a present for your Dad? It shouldn't be about what YOU want or think is best. If he wants the 30-30, then you should do your dead level best to get one for him.

James B · 12-09-2006, 05:07 PM

The 250 Savage is an excellent deer round. It was first advertised to shoot a 87 grain bullet at 3000 fps. Thus the name 250-3000. I have a lever 99 and a Remington 700 Classic both chambered in that caliber. I do quite a bit of gun trading but the wife informed me in no uncertain terms that if she ever went to the cabnet for her 250, IT HAD BETTER BE THERE.

This is one caliber that was just made for the 100 grain Ballistic tip. It pushes that bullet at about 2850 without straing it and I think 3000 would be doable. However at 2850 the deer drop right now and its pretty darn accurate. It will push the old Barnes 100 X bullet past 3100 fps with the same powder charge as used to get 2850 from the Ballistic tip. I would guess this is due to the longer bullet having more bearing surface. Very low recoil. It performs well with the old WW 100 grain Silvertips factory loads but they only clocked 2605 on my chronograph. Still very effective though.

My wife can see no need for any other rifle to exist.

bwills1829 · 12-09-2006, 07:29 PM

My cousin swears by the .250. His is a model 700 Classic. He loves it. It's in the same category as the 257 Roberts and 243 winchester. i want one myself. I love the old cartriges. I took a deer today with a 300 savage in a Remington 700 BDL.

Catus Magnus · 12-09-2006, 08:12 PM

Quote:

I was only able to find that it supposedly an push a 100 gr. bullet over 3000 fps.

As JamesB mentions... 250-3000 orig came w/87gr bullet, so it could reach that lofty (for the day) 3000fps.

I think 250-3000 is a neat cartridge, with more panache than the .243 -- as far as which for Dad... what does he want? I think that 30-30 should do just as well at likely ranges