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.