Author Topic: .250 Savage anyone? (Read 19231 times)

Lone Star · « **Reply #90 on:** August 16, 2009, 05:34:42 AM »

Quote

Now to the Carcano comment, the 6.5 not killing as well as 243s.......could it be he was using mil-surp ball ammo? That round with a good bullet should be similar in killing effect as other 6.5s like 260/6.5x55 if loaded correct.

Probably not nearly as effective at longer ranges. The Carcano should be loaded to much lower pressures than the .260 etc, and it has a somewhat smaller case capacity too - which means much lower muzzle velocities. But that said, it will give performance about the same as the 6.5 JDJ cartridge will out of a 14" handgun, and that cartridge is well known as a great killer of medium game with 120-grain bullets. So I agree, either the bullet was not appropriate (too hard/heavy) or it didn't hit a lethal spot....

.

6.5BR · « **Reply #91 on:** August 16, 2009, 08:56:30 AM »

No doubt the smallish 6.5's are not long range rounds, but adequate and likely very good up to 200-250 yds with something like a 120 ballistic tip. I was comfortable with a 7TCU to 200 yds in a TC, 2400 w/120s or 2200/140 was the limit.

gjn · « **Reply #92 on:** September 20, 2009, 03:39:55 PM »

I have a 250 AI and find its a great cartridge. RL-15 and 87-90 bullets

Coyote Hunter · « **Reply #93 on:** September 25, 2009, 03:54:32 AM »

Quote from: Lone Star on May 20, 2007, 05:41:07 AM

Anecdotes from the 1950s and 60s are interesting, but they have little to do with the .243 today. The killing power problems with the .243 are well documented (Pet Loads, etc.), and were solved about thirty years ago.

The killing power problems with the .243 were solved thirty years ago? Really? I didn’t start big game hunting until 1982, just 27 years ago. During that time I have seen more game wounded and lost with a .243 Win than any other single cartridge and perhaps all others combined. Granted, every animal I’ve seen lost was a mule deer or elk, but that’s what I hunt. I don’t recommend a .243 Win to anyone going after anything larger than whitetail, even though I know a lot of elk have been successfully harvested with the cartridge. My concern is little about what happens when things go right and much about what happens when they go wrong.

Coyote Hunter · « **Reply #94 on:** September 25, 2009, 04:07:33 AM »

Quote from: crash87 on November 30, 2008, 04:12:46 AM

In going through my regiment of topics, I was appalled at what I found here! 250 Savage anyone?
4645 views
3 pages & 67, now 68 replies!
One would think with the enthusiasm for this cartridge, some firearms Mfg would take notice and start chambering the damn thing. But NO, you have to find a used rifle, preferably cheap, then have it rebarreled to the 250. Yet, still have more in it, usually, than the price of a new one.

The marketing guys try very hard not to get swayed in their decisions by a few enthusiasts. What the factories need is relatively large numbers of buyers in order to have a product that will sell in quantities large enough to offset the design, marketing and manufacturing costs and, hopefully, generate a profit.

The fact is that the .250 Savage is a handloader’s cartridge these days and even for handloaders there are other options, more attractive options available. While not a bad cartridge, it simply isn’t that outstanding, either. On the small side you have a .243 Win with lots of factory ammo options and on the more powerful side you have the .257 Roberts and .25-06, both with good factory ammo selections and both of which can be downloaded to .250 Savage velocities if desired.

lgm270 · « **Reply #95 on:** September 25, 2009, 05:01:09 AM »

Quote from: Coyote Hunter on September 25, 2009, 03:54:32 AM

Quote from: Lone Star on May 20, 2007, 05:41:07 AM
Anecdotes from the 1950s and 60s are interesting, but they have little to do with the .243 today. The killing power problems with the .243 are well documented (Pet Loads, etc.), and were solved about thirty years ago.

The killing power problems with the .243 were solved thirty years ago? Really? I didn’t start big game hunting until 1982, just 27 years ago. During that time I have seen more game wounded and lost with a .243 Win than any other single cartridge and perhaps all others combined. Granted, every animal I’ve seen lost was a mule deer or elk, but that’s what I hunt. I don’t recommend a .243 Win to anyone going after anything larger than whitetail, even though I know a lot of elk have been successfully harvested with the cartridge. My concern is little about what happens when things go right and much about what happens when they go wrong.

My experiences track with yours regarding the .243. Like you I've seen and chased more game wounded (by other hunters) with the .243 than any other caliber. A good friend of mine tried the .243 for one season and after the second long hard chase of a deer he hit with it I told him to get a new rifle or a new hunting companion. He was one of these guys who tried out a new caliber every year so it was not a big deal. After using the .270, 7x57, 30-06, 7 mm Rem Mag, and .257 Roberts, he finally settled on the .300 Win Mag. Over powered, but he liked the rifle. The point is we never had to chase wounded animals when we used the .270 or bigger. The .243 and even the .257 Roberts are not reliable on large mule deer.

The close second to the .243 in wounding is the 7mm Rem Mag. For whatever reason, a lot of shooters have bullet placement problems with the 7mm Rem Mag. Most .270 shooters, by comparison, in my experience have been good game shots and I can't remember ever having to chase a deer wounded with a .270, either by me or anyone else.

AtlLaw · « **Reply #96 on:** September 25, 2009, 06:03:00 AM »

Wow! This thread has been around a while!

I went back and saw I posted to it several times myself.

Since I've done my .243 bashing here I'll not say more about that wonderfully adequate coyote rifle...

and make another comment on my sometime-to-be 250 Sav.

With the wx being what it has been I had plenty of man-cave time the last few weeks. So, I got my .260 M-7 bedded into it's stock and a new supply of ammo loaded. It's one of the rifles I hope to kill a deer with this year so I can have a nice 20" 250 barrel screwed onto it! Maybe by next year... $:-\$

Coyote Hunter · « **Reply #97 on:** September 25, 2009, 09:58:56 AM »

Quote from: lgm270 on September 25, 2009, 05:01:09 AM

My experiences track with yours regarding the .243. Like you I've seen and chased more game wounded (by other hunters) with the .243 than any other caliber.
…
The close second to the .243 in wounding is the 7mm Rem Mag. For whatever reason, a lot of shooters have bullet placement problems with the 7mm Rem Mag. Most .270 shooters, by comparison, in my experience have been good game shots and I can't remember ever having to chase a deer wounded with a .270, either by me or anyone else.

Having used a 7mm RM almost exclusively from 1982 until 2000 I can attest to the efficacy of the cartridge for deer and elk. Like you, however, there are those for whom the 7mm has a bad rep. I think there may be a couple reasons for this. One is probably the use of light-for-caliber standard cup and core bullets at velocities that are simply too high. The other is probably due to poor placement.

My own experience, that of my hunting buddy, who has used a 7mm RM exclusively for the last 10 years, and those of my elk-hunting mentors, who also used 7mm RMs, has only been positive. The choice of bullet weight for one of my mentors, myself and my hunting buddy was 160g. Partitions and Grands Slams just got the job done.

lgm270 · « **Reply #98 on:** September 28, 2009, 08:10:12 AM »

Quote from: Coyote Hunter on September 25, 2009, 09:58:56 AM

Quote from: lgm270 on September 25, 2009, 05:01:09 AM
My experiences track with yours regarding the .243. Like you I've seen and chased more game wounded (by other hunters) with the .243 than any other caliber.
…
The close second to the .243 in wounding is the 7mm Rem Mag. For whatever reason, a lot of shooters have bullet placement problems with the 7mm Rem Mag. Most .270 shooters, by comparison, in my experience have been good game shots and I can't remember ever having to chase a deer wounded with a .270, either by me or anyone else.

Having used a 7mm RM almost exclusively from 1982 until 2000 I can attest to the efficacy of the cartridge for deer and elk. Like you, however, there are those for whom the 7mm has a bad rep. I think there may be a couple reasons for this. One is probably the use of light-for-caliber standard cup and core bullets at velocities that are simply too high. The other is probably due to poor placement.

My own experience, that of my hunting buddy, who has used a 7mm RM exclusively for the last 10 years, and those of my elk-hunting mentors, who also used 7mm RMs, has only been positive. The choice of bullet weight for one of my mentors, myself and my hunting buddy was 160g. Partitions and Grands Slams just got the job done.

Hi Coyote. I'm sure the 7mm Rem Mag is great in the hands of those who take the time to master it and who use proper loads for the game being hunted. My criticism was not of the round itself or of those who master it, but rather that I've noticed many seem to shoot it poorly and have bullet placement problems. Belted magnums have more recoil and muzzle blast and require greater shooting skills. My experiences were mostly with once a year hunters/shooters who buy two boxes of 7mm mag's a year...one to use sighting in and another to use for hunting. They're scared of the recoil and muzzle blast and shoot poorly for that reason. They don't shoot enough to master the round. I have witnessed this many times.

You and your friends are obviously seasoned riflemen and the 7mm Rem Mag loaded with proper ammo has always served you well. May it continue to do so for many years to come.

Coyote Hunter · « **Reply #99 on:** September 29, 2009, 01:49:38 AM »

Quote from: lgm270 on September 28, 2009, 08:10:12 AM

Hi Coyote. I'm sure the 7mm Rem Mag is great in the hands of those who take the time to master it and who use proper loads for the game being hunted. ...

Precisely.

Contrary to popular opinion, recoil levels for the 7mm RM are no worse than for max .30-06 loads, and are often LESS when using bullets of similar sectional density (140/165g, for example).

The problem with the 7mm RM is not the 7mm RM but the individual pulling the trigger and the choices that individual makes regarding ammo selection.

CGPAUL · « **Reply #100 on:** September 29, 2009, 10:31:19 AM »

Lets see, I`ve had at least one 250, Mod 20, for 52 years. In fact, started my reloading hoby with that cartridge, plus killing gobs of woodchucks! Today I`ve five, three AIs, which I shot the most. My son built one for 1k shooting last year, using JLK 108 and Burger 115 grners.
Can`t tell you how many deer we`ve killed over the years, but it`s been more than a few. Also antilope and Mule deer. No problems with either.
The ONLY complaint I have with the cartridge is that it grows, needs constant trimming, when pushed to max velocities. And thats because of the body taper in the case design. AIing it removes the problem.
I would stay with 1x10 twist, which will handle up to 120 grn spitzers.
BTB, the Model 20 was the first light weight hi-power rifle on the market...should you wish to believe Savage marketing advertizement. The rifle is indeed light, I got two.

lucky guy · « **Reply #101 on:** December 17, 2010, 05:06:16 AM »

I just recently had a 250 AI Douglas xxx bbl put on a Marlin XS7 action. Topped it with a 2x7 and it is just about a perfect carry rifle.

AtlLaw · « **Reply #102 on:** December 17, 2010, 06:41:18 AM »

I can't believe it's been over a year since I posted to this thread! I'd have my 250 now if I didn't keep spending my barrel money buying Handi Rifles!

I even gave up on killing a deer with it first! So... maybe this next year!

Quote from: AtlLaw on September 25, 2009, 06:03:00 AM

Wow! This thread has been around a while! I went back and saw I posted to it several times myself. Since I've done my .243 bashing here I'll not say more about that wonderfully adequate coyote rifle... and make another comment on my sometime-to-be 250 Sav.

With the wx being what it has been I had plenty of man-cave time the last few weeks. So, I got my .260 M-7 bedded into it's stock and a new supply of ammo loaded. It's one of the rifles I hope to kill a deer with this year so I can have a nice 20" 250 barrel screwed onto it! Maybe by next year... $:-\$

alan in ga · « **Reply #103 on:** December 17, 2010, 07:15:39 AM »

Always enjoy posting a picture of my .250 Savage Ackley Improved! Too lazy to drag out the two Ruger 77Rs in .250 Savage.
This is my Shilen barrel Ruger 77 Mark II in .250SAI. Shoots better than I can lie about!

the jigger · « **Reply #104 on:** December 19, 2010, 04:26:35 AM »

It has been 3yrs since I first posted on this thread. WOW! It seems that the 250/3000
continues to arouse interest. Since my last post I have built another 250AI. This one
is a Shilen barreled Stevens 200. I am amazed by the Shilen barrel. This is my first Shilen.
I have used Douglas since the early 70's.
RL15; 100gr Bal Tips GOOD TO GO!!Shoots tiny groups. I'm looking forward to getting it
to the woods.
GOOD LUCK and GOOD SHOOTING!!!!

FW Conch · « **Reply #105 on:** January 13, 2011, 03:11:14 AM »

Just got a 250 Savage barrel yesterday for my Stevens 200! Here we go! Now all I need to buy is another set of dies, more cases, more boolets, probably more powder- that might be about it?

Can't wait to play with the new "stick"!- Jim

Savage .250 · « **Reply #106 on:** January 28, 2011, 04:48:43 AM »

Just read every comment. Interesting to say the least.

chickenlittle · « **Reply #107 on:** February 11, 2011, 01:31:42 PM »

I skimmed the posts so maybe I missed someone mentioning it. I see that Savage offers the .250 in the Model 16 FHSS (stainless, poly stock) and Model 14 American Classic (blue, wood stock). Quite a few interesting new chamberings listed on their website.

T.R. · « **Reply #108 on:** March 07, 2011, 04:12:50 PM »

According to the 2011 SAVAGE ARMS catalog, two bolt action rifles are available in in 250 Savage.

- walnut stock

- black plastic stock

TR

alan in ga · « **Reply #109 on:** March 08, 2011, 03:58:32 AM »

It will be interesting to see what Savage's accurate barrels will do with the .250 Savage Chambering. Barrel nut system will allow an easy to headspace "correctly" an Ackley Improved chamber! Nice and as tight as you want it to be.
My .250 Ackley Shilen barrel Ruger 77Mark II is almost 10 thousanths tighter than standard .250 chambers instead of 0.004" tighter [the standard Ackley Improved chamber recommended]. I get a good crush fit on all factory ammo. I still have about 9 boxes of factory Winchester ammo.
My factory Ruger 77Rs in .250 Savage [non improved] average only about 1.5" with handloads and factory ammo so far. It was nice to finally get a good aftermarket barrel and have a .250AI that shoots better than I can hold!- well under 1/2"

AWS · « **Reply #110 on:** March 08, 2011, 04:29:19 PM »

I have three of the little devils and think it is one of the nicest rounds. I put the last one together for calling predators out here on the penninsula. There is a very good chance to call in a bear or cougar and I wanted a little more than a .224. I used the 243 back in the 60's and had such poor performance from it , I lost confidence in it as a big game hunting rig, never had failures with the 250.

Stevens 200, 20" A&B barrel, SSS Comp. trigger, Elite 4200 1.25x4x24mm Ill. Dot scope shooting 75gr"X" and 117gr Horn RN bullets.

AWS