Author Topic: .250 Savage anyone?  (Read 19230 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Offline Rangr44

  • Trade Count: (6)
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2158
Re: .250 Savage anyone?
« Reply #30 on: August 04, 2007, 10:44:43 AM »
I had a choice between two .25's today !

A friend & I were cruising gunshops, and one had both a very, very nice tang-safety .250 Savage Ruger M 77RS w/Bushnell 3-9X scope, and an unmolested 1980's .257R Winchester M70 Featherweight w/Weaver K-10AO scope.

Although each was price at only $500, I'm waiting for another deal to come through, and so can't get either right now

If anyone's interested, the gunshop's contact info is: Post Road Guns, (401) 464-8228
There's a Place for All God's Creatures - Right Next to the Potatoes & Gravy ! !

Offline T.R.

  • Trade Count: (4)
  • Contributor
  • ***
  • Posts: 466
Re: .250 Savage anyone?
« Reply #31 on: August 10, 2007, 10:33:33 PM »
One of the easiest and cheapest conversions is Remington 760 or 7600 slide action.  The barrel comes off quite easily. Its a snap for a qualified Smith to open up a .243 to 250 Savage.  The magazine should work without any mods.

I read all the comments of how much more lethal the 250 is over the .243.  Doesn't match up to my experiences at all. .243 is a keeper!

TR 

Offline Lone Star

  • Reformed Gunwriter
  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2359
  • Gender: Male
Re: .250 Savage anyone?
« Reply #32 on: August 11, 2007, 04:02:32 PM »
Sorry, but it is hardly a "snap" for any gunsmith to "open up" a .243 to a .250.    ::)    The .243 chamber is much larger in the shoulder area than the .250, so the barrel would have to be set back then rethreaded and rechambered.  Then what?  The barrel has to be rebored to .257" - more time and money.   It is far easier - and cheaper - to use a .243 bolt rifle and a ready-fit .250 Midway-type barrel; that is a job any gunsmith can do.  Only a very very few 'smiths can rebore a barrel.

BTW I know what I am talking about.  My current M7600 started life as a .30-06 and is now a rebored .338-06.  A fine conversion - but it wasn't very cheap even without the re-threading and rechambering.   ;)

I agree on the lethality of the two cartridges, I've used both.  Hit a deer with the same weight and style bullet at the same velocity from either and the results are identical.  Same debate as the .280 versus the .270....they are the same cartridge for all practical purposes.  Even Jack O'Connor agreed.

Personally I prefer the .250 - but that's just me.


.

Offline bulzaye

  • Trade Count: (10)
  • Avid Poster
  • **
  • Posts: 222
  • Gender: Male
  • How about them cowboys
Re: .250 Savage anyone?
« Reply #33 on: October 28, 2007, 03:46:53 PM »
I ordered  250 Barrel for my encore from midway. 24 inch 1:10 twist. I was surprised it says they have it in stock. It should be here by the end of the week. I am looking forward to playing with it real soon.
Deceased 4/26/08 RIP Bob.

A country boy can survive

Offline DakotaElkSlayer

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • A Real Regular
  • ****
  • Posts: 898
Re: .250 Savage anyone?
« Reply #34 on: December 01, 2007, 08:37:51 PM »
  Trying to decide between a .257Roberts and a .250 Savage for my son's first deer rifle. ???  Needless to say, this post helped me learn some actual experience with the Savage round.  Thanks!

Jim
He who joyfully marches in rank and file has already earned my contempt. He has been given a large brain by mistake, since for him the spinal cord would suffice.

- Albert Einstein

Offline Gregory

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1482
  • Gender: Male
Re: .250 Savage anyone?
« Reply #35 on: December 02, 2007, 04:40:04 AM »
On sale for $120  at Midway:

Adams & Bennett Barrel Savage 110 Series 250 Savage Factory Contour 1 in 10" Twist 24" Chrome Moly Blue

These barrels are finish chambered and ready to install and headspace. All that is required is a set of headspace gages in the appropriate caliber, a Savage barrel nut wrench and a barrel vise (all sold separately). An action wrench may also be necessary if the nut does not break free easily. Make sure your conversion choice is suitable for the action and bolt you are working with. These chrome moly barrels are blued to match the factory finish.



Greg

NRA Endowment Life Member
the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed.
Second Amendment, U.S. Constitution (1791)

Offline rickt300

  • Trade Count: (13)
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2937
Re: .250 Savage anyone?
« Reply #36 on: December 02, 2007, 07:11:35 AM »
Most of the 250 factory ammo I saw chronied, the 100 grain stuff barely made 2700 fps. While the 243 100 grain bullets would crowd 3000 fps. I used to think that gave the 250 a bullet performance edge at usual deer ranges which is less than 100 yards.  Early on the 243 had real teething problems because the bore size was new and there were not years of experience building good 243 bullets. Now those years have been experienced and it is hard to find a bullet that won't work on deer sized game if placed properly.
I have been identified as Anti-Federalist, I prefer Advocate for Anarchy.

Offline Siskiyou

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 3417
  • Gender: Male
Re: .250 Savage anyone?
« Reply #37 on: December 02, 2007, 08:09:09 AM »
While the .250 Savage is a fine cartridge for the season hunter I was aware of two friends starting out with hand-me-down family M99 Savages in .250 Savage.  When shoots were made at close range and properly paced they did the job.  It could be the story of any other caliber.  Fortunately they hunted with family members who could track deer.  After a couple of seasons haying they both bought Remington 760 pumps in 30-06.  Forty-five years later they are the season hunter.

Back in 1968 I was hunting with a brother who had a .257 Roberts.  Two advantage of the .257 Roberts is that it has more case capacity, and it is not difficult to find loaded ammunition on the shelve, and it can push 117 and 120 grain bullets at the velocity the .250 Savage pushes 100 grain bullets.  I have not seen .250 Savage ammunition on the store shelve in years.  It is out there but the supply appears to be limited.  Two months before my brother had return from Vietnam and it was his first chance to hunt deer after two years in the Marines.

He took two bucks with the .257 Roberts and recovered both bullets.  I was impressed with the perfectly mushroomed Hornady 117 grain bullets.  I believe he still has that rifle and another one that is chambered for the .257 Roberts Improved.  A few times in the past there was a gentleman in the hunting party who used a .257 Roberts.  It proved to be effective in his hands on deer.

I believe two rounds spelled the near demise of the .250 Savage and the .257 Roberts; those two are the .243 Winchester, and the .25-06.

Given the choice I would go for the .257 Roberts.  If they were giving it away I would take the .250 Savage.  I have carried a wimpier .25 Caliber, the Winchester 25-35.






There is a learning process to effectively using a gps.  Do not throw your compass and map away!

Boycott: San Francisco, L.A., Oakland, and City of Sacramento, CA.

Offline Doesniper

  • Trade Count: (2)
  • Contributor
  • ***
  • Posts: 267
  • Gender: Male
Re: .250 Savage anyone?
« Reply #38 on: December 07, 2007, 06:23:46 PM »
I had a 250-3000 built a few years ago as my whitetail rifle. I feel that it is the perfect whitetail rifle. I bought a camo painted Mauser 96 action, added a Douglas #2, a cock on open kit, trigger, Tally rings and bases, M70 style safty, and a AAA Claro stock blank I'd been saving for 6 years. I had the metal bead blasted to a nice matte black with the bolt jeweled. I have been more than happy with my little deer gun. The wonderful 250-3000.

Offline 303Guy

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Avid Poster
  • **
  • Posts: 100
Re: .250 Savage anyone?
« Reply #39 on: December 08, 2007, 08:15:37 PM »
......  I have been more than happy with my little deer gun. The wonderful 250-3000.
Doesniper, may I ask what bullets you use?  The 250 Savage just seems like such a good balance between power and recoil and flat shooting enough with lighter bullets for varminting.  (I have gone off recoil and heavy rifles).

Offline joshco84

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Contributor
  • ***
  • Posts: 357
  • Gender: Male
Re: .250 Savage anyone?
« Reply #40 on: December 09, 2007, 07:33:56 AM »
I have an uncle with a 300 savage in a 99 and it is a sweet shooting rifle.  Never have got to shoot the 250 though, but am interested in it. 

O and we kill a lot of our gigantic kansas deer with a 243, shoot them in the neck or the boiler room and they behave exactly like the do whe i shoot them with my 7mm rem mag.  Shoot em in the neck they drop, shoot em in the boiler room they run 50-100 yards and pile up.  Never have lost a deer i shot with a 243 ever. 

Josh
Smells like country, Tastes like rock and roll...... Want to find out more??? www.crosscanadianragweed.com  The all time greatest band ever.

Offline Doesniper

  • Trade Count: (2)
  • Contributor
  • ***
  • Posts: 267
  • Gender: Male
Re: .250 Savage anyone?
« Reply #41 on: December 09, 2007, 10:04:14 AM »
I like the 85g Barnes for whitetail. I've shot 6 with the .250-3000 so far, and all were one shot kills.

Offline AtlLaw

  • Moderators
  • Trade Count: (58)
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 6410
  • Gender: Male
  • A good woman, nice bike and fine guns!
Re: .250 Savage anyone?
« Reply #42 on: January 02, 2008, 07:25:22 AM »
I wrote the following in this thread some time ago.  Well guess what!  I found that M-7 last weekend!  Looks like I'll have that .250 by next season!  Trouble is it's in .260 now and I like that caliber!  So I'm gonna bed it into a spare stock I have and see how it shoots before I send it off to Shaw!

<snip>
I've got a "Bob" I like a lot, but I have always had the hots for a 250.  the 99's are priced out of sight now, and I've never liked their accuracy (or lack there of) even though I have 2 in other calbers; one being the late 243.  I WANT to build one on a M-7 action like the original poster said.  These 2 are made for each other!  But alas, my lone M-7 is an old 18.5 in. barrel version in 7/08 that is such a joy I can't bear to mess with it.  But I've been looking for a M-7 that is in need of a heart transplant and a face lift, and if I find one...  :-*
Richard
Former Captain of Horse, keeper of the peace and interpreter of statute.  Currently a Gentleman of leisure.
Nemo me impune lacessit

                      
Support your local US Military Vets Motorcycle Club

Offline 38-55

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Member
  • *
  • Posts: 42
Re: .250 Savage anyone?
« Reply #43 on: January 02, 2008, 08:03:39 AM »
Have used a 250 for a number of years.  My sons also use the 250 and started their center fire shooting with one.  Being a small sized case it is easy to load down with very accurate loads.  Have used it on turkeys and even squirrels with little damage.  You can still get bullets meant for the 25-20 that make good practice or small game loads.  We use 75gr. bullets for varmints and the 100 gr for deer.  Deer is the largest game taken with it.  Our rifles are bolt actions that have been built on short action Rem. 700s.  It is a very accurate, versatile cartridge.

Offline 303Guy

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Avid Poster
  • **
  • Posts: 100
Re: .250 Savage anyone?
« Reply #44 on: January 05, 2008, 07:02:53 PM »
......
I agree on the lethality of the two cartridges, I've used both.  Hit a deer with the same weight and style bullet at the same velocity from either and the results are identical.....
But Lone Star, is it not the higher velocity of the 243 that causes the problem?  You were comparing same weight, style and velocity - it makes sense that they would perform the same.  I was thinking that it was the heavier bullet at more modest velocity that made the 250 Savage perform better on deer?

Offline Mike Pearson

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Member
  • *
  • Posts: 28
Re: .250 Savage anyone?
« Reply #45 on: January 16, 2008, 05:44:11 PM »
I agree with Lone Star. The .243 received it's share of bad press in the '50's and 60's and suffered from gunwriters who kept on recycling the same old tripe all over again. As far as Finn Aagard goes, yes he was a great writer but you're talking over 20 years ago. Take a look at the great bullets we now have in .24 that we did NOT have back in Finn's day.
I don't doubt that the .250 was and is a nice little cartridge but as for killing deer ALOT better than the 6mm twins goes, PLEASE! I am a proponent of frontal area being an important part of a bullet's terminal performance but there is just too little difference in .24 & .25---everything else being equal. As for heavier bullets, this WOULD make better sense in the '50's and '60's as smaller bullets were harder to make perform on a consistent basis. You could use a conventional .25 bullet in a 117 or 120gr. and have a more reliable performer than the 6mm bullets of the day. At least that was the going argument of the day. Nowadays, you would be better served with a 100gr. bullet in something like a TSX or Partition or Ballistic Tip in EITHER caliber. Why give up flatness of trajectory when you have all the penetration and performance in a 100gr. bullet?
My guess is that with modern bullets, the .243 would be (very) slightly better on deer (flatter trajectory, better wind-drift would make placement slightly easier).

Offline jager

  • Trade Count: (2)
  • Contributor
  • ***
  • Posts: 287
Re: .250 Savage anyone?
« Reply #46 on: February 19, 2008, 01:16:52 PM »
I currently own three .243's and have not had a problem with their performance on deer within their range, which I would "peg" at 250 yards. Most .243's I've shot are superbly accurate and a good shot can hit deer well beyond 250 yards and can kill deer, but like most "small for caliber" cartridges, there just isn't much bullet working at extended ranges where penetration and expansion becomes very critical. I also have owned several 250/3000's to include a Sav. 99A I had "reamed" to a .250IA. I still have an Encore that I load a 120HPBT Sierra at 2700fps, which it 1:10 twist handles very well. Does the difference of .014 bullet diameter make a significant difference over the .243, even though you lose a "minuscule" amount of S.D. and B.C.? I haven't been able to tell the difference on deer up to 250 yards. Would I use the .250 on game bigger than deer where I wouldn't a .243? I probably not. ( I do know of a lady in Montana who has shot her elk with a .243 every year for the last 8 seasons.) I've know people who have the same reservations about the .270 for elk and a 30/30 for moose, but both calibers have killed plenty of both game by "hunters", not "shooters". Every time I think about the 250/3000 I think about that old Savage calendar of the cowboy "piling" off his horse with a "new" .250 coming out of his scabbard and an Elk jumping up from his bed. It's hard to separate fantasy from reality when the appeal of the perfect rifle appears with the perfect cartridge that has slain tigers in Asia, bear in Alaska, and elk in the Rocky's. The .250 has done all this and more since its introduction in 1915, where the .243 struggled to get beyond its varmint status until decent bullets were designed to work at all angles. Like the 28ga and 20ga shotgun rounds with bird hunters, "fringe" hits may not bring a pheasant to bag like a larger gauge; likewise, the .243 or .250 are not "giant killers" but are easier calibers to make "sure" killing shots on reasonably sized game animals at reasonable ranges

Offline ZZTOP

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Member
  • *
  • Posts: 74
Re: .250 Savage anyone?
« Reply #47 on: March 30, 2008, 06:37:03 PM »
Hello all,
I used to hunt with a Savage 99 in 250.
The one time I came across a buck and was able to shoot first,
he was about 75 yards away running quartering away from me and I didn't take
into account his speed, so the bullet hit his right cheek. At the hit he turned broadside
to us and my dad shot him in his right shoulder with a  30 06. Then he went down.

When we dressed him out we found both bullet in the off side shoulder.
Mine was  either a Speer or Sierra 100gr spitser at 2700 fps, dads was 150gr. at 2800 fps.

Just my $0.02 worth.

Happy shooting
ZZTOP

Offline T.R.

  • Trade Count: (4)
  • Contributor
  • ***
  • Posts: 466
Re: .250 Savage anyone?
« Reply #48 on: March 31, 2008, 11:10:57 AM »
250 Savage interest has diminished since 243 was born. Unfair but true.

The 250 was toppling game for several decades before Winchester sketched up the .308 cartridge or dreamed of necking it to 6mm.
Despite its long history, 250 was toppled by 243 in sales. 

Back in 1972, Savage tried to restore interest in the 250 with a straight gripped model 99 carbine priced to sell.  Gun Writers yawned and lack of positive press killed off another fine Savage firearm.

I'm a happy 243 owner simply because 250 was not for sale when I bought this gem.  But I have no quarrel with those who are fond of the 250.
TR

Offline onesonek

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • A Real Regular
  • ****
  • Posts: 714
  • Gender: Male
Re: .250 Savage anyone?
« Reply #49 on: April 07, 2008, 01:57:26 PM »
Kinda sorta, well, in an AI version in a TC encore pistol barrel ;D
Love it,,,my favorite antelope round ;)

Dave

Offline AtlLaw

  • Moderators
  • Trade Count: (58)
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 6410
  • Gender: Male
  • A good woman, nice bike and fine guns!
Re: .250 Savage anyone?
« Reply #50 on: April 07, 2008, 03:36:11 PM »
And I've got that M-7 in .260 sitting in my safe waiting for a new .250 barrel.  But it's got to kill a deer for me first.  Them's the rules!  ;D
Richard
Former Captain of Horse, keeper of the peace and interpreter of statute.  Currently a Gentleman of leisure.
Nemo me impune lacessit

                      
Support your local US Military Vets Motorcycle Club

Offline alan in ga

  • Trade Count: (13)
  • A Real Regular
  • ****
  • Posts: 692
Re: .250 Savage anyone?
« Reply #51 on: April 10, 2008, 01:19:14 AM »
I may have more of my fair share.
Had and sold [mistake, of course] a Ruger 77UL in .250 Savage. Reamed it to Ackley Improved. Super rifle with a light Leupold 2x-7x.
In safe now:
Ruger 77R in .250
Ruger 77R in .250 with "Liberty" barrel rollmark.
Ruger 77 Mark II in .250 Savage Ackley Improved with Shilen barrel. Love it.
You could say I like the 'little' .250 Savage.

Offline MINNshooter

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Posts: 2
Re: .250 Savage anyone?
« Reply #52 on: April 30, 2008, 03:39:51 AM »
I'd also agree that the 250 Savage is a great deer round.  I have had a Ruger 77RSI for 20 years now, got it when I was 12 for my first deer hunt in Wisc.  Haven't shot factory in it in about 15 years, but load 100 Nos BT to about 2700 fps(chrono'ed) and it does a great job on deer.  The loads are with IMR 3031 and are right in the middle for IMR's published data.  Stopped there as it was extremely accurate out of my rifle.  I have other rifles that I use more often now, depending on distance I am anticipating shooting, but if I am in a 100 yard stand, I usually take it.  It goes out at least a couple of days a year. 

Offline Coyote Hunter

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2534
Re: .250 Savage anyone?
« Reply #53 on: May 01, 2008, 01:02:51 PM »
For the non-reloader, there is a greater diversity of Roberts ammo available than there is for the .250 Savage.

As a reloader it seems to me that the .257 Roberts is a better deal as it can be downloaded to .250 Savage performance or well past it.

As a Roberts owner the Savage garners no interest.
Coyote Hunter
NRA, GOA, DAD - and I VOTE!

Offline johnfox

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Posts: 1
  • Gender: Male
Re: .250 Savage anyone?
« Reply #54 on: August 09, 2008, 05:07:32 PM »
The 250 Savage has been on my 'want' list for a long time and recently a work colleague said he had a post mil 99A in 250 Savage that he was willing to part with. The deal was done on the rifle and a bunch of factory ammo, once fired and new cases and i'm now in the process of working up some loads for it.

Can't wait to take it hunting. 

There's a plan to re barrel my 243 Mauser to a Roberts later in the year as well.  ;D

John
member,
Australian Knifemakers Guild

Offline 303Guy

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Avid Poster
  • **
  • Posts: 100
Re: .250 Savage anyone?
« Reply #55 on: August 14, 2008, 09:24:57 PM »
I am planning on rebarreling a No4 Lee Enfield to 257 Roberts.  The SAAMI pressure spec for the Roberts is the same as for the Lee Enfield and the case fits the action length just fine.  So does the 25-06 but factory loads are just too hot!

Offline MGMorden

  • Trade Count: (3)
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2093
  • Gender: Male
Re: .250 Savage anyone?
« Reply #56 on: August 15, 2008, 03:26:21 AM »
I am planning on rebarreling a No4 Lee Enfield to 257 Roberts.  The SAAMI pressure spec for the Roberts is the same as for the Lee Enfield and the case fits the action length just fine.  So does the 25-06 but factory loads are just too hot!

Isn't the case head different though?  Not saying it couldn't work with some creative ingenuity, but seems like it'd be better to start with one of the Ishapore's that are 7.62 NATO.

Offline onesonek

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • A Real Regular
  • ****
  • Posts: 714
  • Gender: Male
Re: .250 Savage anyone?
« Reply #57 on: August 15, 2008, 03:32:25 AM »
I've developed an interest in the old .250 Savage.  I think it would be a fun round in a Remington Model 7 with a 22" barrel.  It's not as powerful as the .243 or .257 Roberts, but it appears to be adequately powerful for anything I would need it for.

Are there any .250 enthusiasts out there with some input?  Would love to hear from you.

Do you reload lgm270?
Dave

Offline lgm270

  • Trade Count: (1)
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1862
Re: .250 Savage anyone?
« Reply #58 on: August 15, 2008, 08:53:43 AM »
I've developed an interest in the old .250 Savage.  I think it would be a fun round in a Remington Model 7 with a 22" barrel.  It's not as powerful as the .243 or .257 Roberts, but it appears to be adequately powerful for anything I would need it for.

Are there any .250 enthusiasts out there with some input?  Would love to hear from you.

Do you reload lgm270?
Dave

Hi Dave.  Yes I  do reload?     Do you have some pet loads to recommend? 

Offline onesonek

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • A Real Regular
  • ****
  • Posts: 714
  • Gender: Male
Re: .250 Savage anyone?
« Reply #59 on: August 15, 2008, 01:18:25 PM »
Well, the reason I asked, is reading back on the past comments. I see the .257 Rob. mentioned, and nobody can take anything away from that grand old round either. Not that it's an old, old round. But, the .250 Sav. within normal hunting ranges don't give up a lot to it. Yes, be cause of it larger capcity, it does have advantages and versatility, and more so with heavier bullets.  Both rounds are loaded in the manuals to modest pressure ranges, leaving room for improvement in strong action however. But when compared heads up within those parameters, the .250 only gives up 20-25 yds on average of point blank range...At least that's how I look at it.

Now back to my loads, of course mine is a AI version so my data is a moot point up to a point. I haven't worked with the 100 gr. weight much yet. But what I have done, the NBT's shot extremely well avg. .2-.3 moa. I got mine and primarily as an Antelope round, but did do work with the 110 gr Accubond for Deer. I just feel better with a tad more weight when working with these smaller calibers. It gives up a little speed at first, but has advantages when the range gets pushed abit. But being a round that's listed at 43-44,000cup range, here again, I don't hesitate pushing that up abit in a good action such as the M7 you mentioned. I don't know the strength of the original .250-3000 brass, but if it becomes a problem, one can always use the possibly stronger (?) .308 brass with some extra work.
Mine is a bit different, as in my Encore I had it chambered to take .307 brass necked down with the neck left long. I can still fire standard .250 rimless in it with a different extractor if I had to. One thing I did find however, and it likely will differ for you. When pushing it, I found it likes the slower powders.
Now mine being a single shot has some bearing on that likely, as it is throated to take the 110 gr. AB's so that it's not seated past the neck/shoulder juncture. So I do have a fair bit more capacity than standard.  My COL for the 110's 2.835". I didn't have 100% load density with H4350, so I tried H4831SC, and I still have room. but sooner or later, enough is enough, and I'm getting excellent accuracy with the H4831 at 97%+ load density, with the 110's doing 2700 fps out of a 16" barrel and no pressure signs. And so far the primer pockets are still tight after 5 loadings.  For Antelope or Deer it has enough for me. If for any reason I felt otherwise, I'll use the 6.5x57air or larger yet.

Dave