Savage 250-3000 deer question...
 

I recently acquired my father-in-law's circa 1921 Savage 250-3000 model 99 lever action rifle. In advance of purchasing hard-to-find discontinued ammo, I would like to ask for opinions on whether 87 grain 250 is sufficient for whitetail at 100 to 150 yard ranges (I live/hunt in the UP of Michigan). And if anyone has a recommendation/legit site to purchase ammo for this weapon, that would be appreciated too. tks, Joe

Good luck on finding any ammo for that caliber, as I've looked all over the net for almost an hour since reading your post and can't find any. The 100-117 grain bullets would be your best bet for deer hunting, as the lighter bullets are really considered for varmints. If you want to use that rifle, you may be relegated to getting all the reloading equipment needed and buying 22-250 brass to resize up to the 250-3000 case size, as I can't even find brass for it.

Use 87grain and under for early 99 250-3000s
 

The early Savage 99 250-3000 had a barrel twist of 1:14 that won't shoot anything over 87gr accurately. In 1960/61 Savage changed to a 1:10 twist rate and you can find bullets (bullets only, not loaded cartridge) up to 120 grain that will fire accurately.

You will most likely need to find someone that reloads to get ammo. I have seen new brass available.

JD and Top, I had one of them buggers for a few years not too long ago. I found a couple of little secrets to them. One is finding brass for the 250 savage is about like finding a needle in a needle stack. Second trick, it is better to use a case from a 6.5 creedmore. Using a 22-250 case is okay but you end up a few thousandths short and you have to anneal the case head after fire forming. The 6.5 creed you have to trim so you have the right length and no need for annealing. Since you aren't ending up short you wont have to adjust load because of case capacity issues. I's also use a Hornady sizer instead of the RCBS because of the smoother ball sizer.

Keith was dead on correct about the bullet size vs twist issue. Those early 250savs didn't shoot anything over 85, sometimes 90 grain worth a tinkers damn. Some did get lucky with 90 grain Sierras when they had them, not 100% sure they have them still but I'm pretty sure Nosler has 90 grain Ballistic tips in .257.

nosler has 85 gr BT's, but they are a varmint bullet, probably not good on UP deer, I just killed a 125# 18 month old buck last eve with a 100 gr BT in my daughters 250, he did the dirt nap thing, never kicked
RR

Your correct RR, the 90gr BT's are 6.5mm (.264) The closest Nosler BT is 100 grain and I don't think that old rifle will stabilize it. Not sure, as RR said, if that little 85gr BT would be good for a adult sized whitetail. Maybe with a neck shot or a perfectly placed "quartering away behind the shoulder tuck it in the sweet spot shot". But if you catch any real bone you will more than likely have a wounded deer to chase down. Barnes has a TSX in 80 grains for it. May try that one out.

250 brass shows up once in awhile, but not often. It was in stock here two weeks ago; out now.
http://www.captechintl.com/proddetai...d=BCS250SAV100

!) you never anneal the casehead, only the neck and shoulders
I always use 22-250 cases to make brass, never had a problem
6.5 creedmore is a 308 a lot of forming to be done, if you can find 6xc brass you could use it
RR

Meant neck, and you know I meant case neck sheesh. I'm old and type one thing and mean another. You will be too one day ya pup! :D

As far as the differences between the creed and the 250 savage case, there is very little differences between the 2 and full forming is easy as can be. Built more than 2000 rounds using it so I kinda know a little bit about it. With the 22-250 case you come out anywhere from 3-5 thousandths shorter which isn't a whole heck of a lot but if you do run a hot loading your will have much more tendency to have a stuck case in the chamber. That's what led me to the creed case. Although, sizing a 22-250 case can be done easier using the old media fire forming technique (powder,cream of wheat,fiber wad on top) then annealing the case NECK (hush pup :D ) after fire forming. Either or. But you can load full power loads with the creed. Not so much with the 22-250 brass. Annealing can be tricky to some RR as I'm sure you well know. Many tend to over do it and end up with split necks.

Welcome to the forum JD.

Unless that rifle has sentimental value to you just sell it and buy what you want.

The old 250 has that darn slow twist for small bullets. Sell it.

I suspected you knew better, I also know there are those who don't, that is why I mentioned it, split necks come from under annealing, over doing it results is loss of neck tension, just don't want anyone weakening the case webs through a misunderstanding and facing the possibility of a ruptured case.
RR

Getting brass is easy. Buy 22-250 and run it through a full length sizing die to bring it back to 25 caliber and then load a light load a fire form it. From then on all you have to do is neck size it.

Problem solved.

just a simple neck expansion, no need to fireform.
RR

My son hunted with one, used 85gr bullets killed deer from 50 to 150yds, you can buy brass at most gun shows we did we also hunt the woods of Michigan. :biggrin:

Great info!
 

This forum is outstanding… Thank you all for the many insights and answers. I didn't hunt as a kid because my Father didn't. I joined the military and am back home after 32 years and just completed my first season at "Deer Camp," and absolutely love the process and experience. Because I never met my late father-in-law, and have two Sons of my own, this Savage 99 does have sentimental value to me and I'm determined to keep it, use it and shoot it with my boys. I've been reading lots of different threads in this forum and I'm really glad that I stumbled across this in my searches for info. I'll update when I solve this. In the meantime, thank you all for your time.

That's good to hear, thanks

Personally me I would keep it. It is a cool little bit of history (mainly because I like old guns), it was free. You probably might not get much out of it do to the limited ammo but I would buy some shoot it bigger out what shoots the best. Then buy a few boxes here and there. Keep it and have fun plenty of energy to harvest a deer out at 150 yards even 200 yards.

Here is some ammo:
http://www.wikiarms.com/search?q=250+Savage&caliber=

Hendershots loads bullets from TTSX, Awift Aframe, Ballistic tip, Accubond, Partition, GMX, Spire point, Interbond, and Scirocco II.
https://hendershots.net/product/250-...e-custom-ammo/

If you reload here is a website for brass. If you don't feel like re-sizing 22-250 brass.
http://www.grafs.com/retail/catalog/...roductId/25337

Just found this forum and love the cornucopia of information....
I've been hunting for a long time and with many different firearms as I have a "small" collection and I load for everything I shoot.
While I've never hunted with the 250 Savage, I used to own a Savage 99 which I sold after my divorce, but recently acquired one made in 1935 on the cheap ($600) and in great shape for its age.
I just gave her a thorough once over. The brass rotator and chrome bolt look almost new and the bore is in like new condition. Obviously not fired very much or at least very well maintained.
I've had primed cases in my stash for over 20 years, so I finally loaded them up with 87 grain spire points over Varget though I forget exactly how many grains because I'm at work.
One thing I'm certain of, is that at the ranges I've had to take shots, typically under 100 yards, I have no doubt in my mind that a well place shot on a white tail with an 87 gr spire point leaving the barrel at around 3000FPS will do exactly what it's supposed to do when it hits its target.
The deer may go a short distance if at all, but it won't go far.
I've read a great many stories about deer successfully taken with the 87 gr bullets.
I've also read stories about deer that were hit but got away.... and I'm guessing because of a crappy shot.
I'm going to take the Savage out at least once this season. Maybe more, but I intend to take a deer with it.
It's always been about shot placement !