is the .250 savage available as factory loading?

[rvtrav]

  Hello to all,

  One of my co-workers is planning on purchasing a first rifle for his son. Naturally a small, light recoiling rifle was the discussion of what to buy. the .243 always seems to be the front runner, I mentioned that I would prefer the .250 savage if I was in his shoes, or his son's.
   Does anyone know if any of the big manufacturers offer the .250 chambering currently? A new rifle is always nice to get, but I suppose that cruising the gun and pawn shops might provide something.

  Thanks, Rvtrav

[rbergum95]

none that i know of. cruising the shops you might find one but depending on the firearm it may fetch a premium. i have only run across 2 .250's in the past year, both were savage 99's and price was in the $800-$950 range. good luck.

ron

[Siskiyou]

I think the .250 Savage in a new rifle will be hard to come by, but Ruger is chambering the HM77R in .257 Roberts with a 22 inch barrel or the M77RL MKII in .257 Roberts with a 20 inch barrel.

http://ruger.com/Firearms/FAProdResults?type=Rifle&subtype=Bolt+Action&SearchIn=All&family=Model&variation=Variation&bct=Yes&caliber=.257+Roberts&finish=Finish&blength=Barrel+Length&work=Yes&imagefield.x=14&imagefield.y=10

The ammunition availability for the .257 Roberts is also better.  I see .257 Roberts ammunition of the shelf every once and while.  I cannot remember when I last spotted .250 Savage of the shelf.
http://www.midsouthshooterssupply.com/department.asp?dept=%41%4D%4D%55%4E%49%54%49%4F%4E&dept2=%43%45%4E%54%45%52%46%49%52%45%20%52%49%46%4C%45&dept3=%32%35%37%20%52%4F%42%45%52%54%53&dept4=%42%49%47%20%47%41%4D%45

The story is the same when it comes to brass for reloading, 250 Savage is harder to find.

http://www.midsouthshooterssupply.com/department.asp?dept=%52%45%4C%4F%41%44%49%4E%47&dept2=%52%49%46%4C%45%20%42%52%41%53%53&dept3=%32%35%37%20%52%4F%42%45%52%54%53

My hunting days started at the time the .250 Savage was dying out.  As I recollect it was an effective round in the hands of a trained marksman and veteran from WWII but in the hands of his nephew who had been given some training out of the family farm it was a little disappointing and a couple of bucks required some follow-up.  I do not blame this on the cartridge just the inexperience of a beginning hunter.

The 257 Roberts had a stronger following.  A younger brother started taking deer with his in 1968 when he returned from Vietnam, of course he was a more experienced Marine marksman at that point.

Your friend's choice of a .243 Winchester is very logical from an availability, price, and performance standpoint.

http://www.gunsandammomag.com/gun_columns/notes/bore_0625/

Recently I looked at three Savage 99's on display.  None of them were in .250-3000, and of course they all showed wear.  All three were priced more then a sale price Remington 700 in the same store.

IMO the Savage .250 is a poor choice for the non-reloader.  Frankly mail order ammuntion is not my primary criteria when it comes to ammunition, it is what can be picked off the shelve at the nearest store that sells ammunition.

[mountainview]

A&B barrels are available in 250 for Savage rifles and are one possibility for getting this caliber.

[Catfish]

Unless he is a reloader I would recommend that he go with the .243. You can pick up ammo about anywhere for it.

[rvtrav]

 Thanks for the posts Guys,

   In the conversations the .243 won out for the same reasons that y'all mentioned, mostly ammo availability, He is not a reloader, and I am, thus the perfered difference.

  I also mentioned the .257 Roberts, (I have a real nice Remington 700 classic) and I love the caliber, also the 6mm Remington, for the long action (sporterized mauser) aspect...

 But, if it were me, the appeal of a "nostalgic classic" and a little different than the ordinary caliber would have my vote for a first gun..

  A couple of new-comers, the .260 rem and the 7mm-08, especially in a youth model, were discussed as well, but the .243 seem to be the winner of the "first rifle" argument.

[pastorp]

Certainly the 243 is a better caliber for the non-reloader than the 250 or the roberts. However the brass issue for the 250 is easily solved. You just run 22-250 brass through your 250 savage sizing die and you have 250 brass. Regards, Byron

[Siskiyou]

It sure points out the advantage of having a competent reloader in the house. 

[rvtrav]

  Well put Siskiyou,

  Any caliber can easily be "toned down", by different bullet weights or powders, or different bullets for different purposes used. when you are a reloader, a whole other world of opportunity opens;

  Modest cast bullet loads, in even the biggest of boomers can be used.... reforming brass for different calibers...the list goes on and on...

  And the cost of shooting goes WAY down too, so lots of practice to build confidence, and familiarity with the rifle is possible..etc..etc...

  It is kinda a moot point, but I didn't mean the calibers of .260 and 7mm-08 were "new" just new to the conversation as to what to buy for a first timer (kids) rifle.