help with loading for .250 Savage in a Savage 99

jephs422

jephs422

Member
Okay, so I have a ton of reloading data on the .250 Savage and I'm set and ready to load up some rounds for next years deer season. I have been doing as much research as I can and I beginning to find out that the rifle I'm loading for ( Savage 99) is most likely a 1 in 14. I haven't checked yet, but humor me and lets assume it is a 1 in 14. Everywhere I read it states that the 1 in 14 will not stabalize the 85g or the 100g 25 caliber pills. So what am I to do if this is the case. do I need to find a 25 caliber bullet that is even smaller? And if so, where do I have load data for it? I really want to use this rifle next year and I would like to load something up for it that will at least shoot a 1-1/2 to 2" group. Hopefully I can get it to shooet even better, but it is a fairly old rifle..

**Edit**

Okay I found some Sierra 75g hollow point varmint bullets. I don't want a "varmint" bullet for deer, but I may try them and see just how thin wlled they are. Maybe a Sierra manual will have the proper load data?
 
I've had a 250-3000 Savage for several years. I originally bought it for my wife, who is a lefty...but I end up shooting it the most. According to the serial number...it was manufactured in 1956.

I've taken 3 Antelope with this rifle...the closest being right at 200 yards. The farthest was just over 280 yards. I have a Leupold 6-20 scope on it...which makes it my lever action sniper rifle.

In my handloads, I've used both Hornady and Speer 87 grain soft point bullets. Accuracy was amazing on paper (sub moa) and the first two Antelope taken with this load, fell dead in their tracks.

On my most recent Antelope hunt, I had no reloads left and little time to load; so I bought a box of Winchester factory ammunition which makes use of a 100 grain silvertip bullet. I range tested it first, and accuracy was amazing...1.5 inches at 200 meters. The Antelope I took with this ammo was lung shot...and ran about 100 yards and fell over.

The significant difference between the factory 100 grain...vs...my 87 grain loads, is the trajectory. At 200 meters...with the rifle zeroed at 200 meters and 87 grain slugs, the factory 100 grain bullet impacted 11 inches lower on paper. I remember this because...thats a lot of clicks on the Leupold. Again, accuracy was excellent...so I adjusted accordingly and pressed on.

My hand load uses 35 grains of IMR 4320, with a Winchester primer. I've used both Speer and Hornady 87 grain bullets with equal accuracy. ONE IMPORTANT NOTE: I seated these bullets out to touch the rifling. In the Savage magazine, these fit fine...occasionaly though, this lengthy combo would make for feeding issues when making the climb into the chamber.

Personally, I feel the thin-skinned bullets such as those offered for varminting may be undesirable for use on deer-sized critters. Standard 87 grain slugs have proved very capable in my experience.

I blabber a lot...but hope you find this info helpfull. Good luck.
 
You're awesome, thanks for all the info. I'll start with that load and go from there. Well blabbered my friend, well blabbered...
 
Oh that brings back memories on "one that got away"!

I had a takedown in .250-3000.

When it came to my attention that it had headspace issues ...... most likely related to it being a takedown model ......... I foolishly let it go!!!!!

Now headspace is nothing to fool with I should have perservered and either adjusted dies or got a custom set OR god forbid just bought factory ammo.

Anyway, my goto powder was ..... IMR 4320 pushing the Hornady 75 gr. HP ...... for 'otes.

I see no reason that you can't shoot up to 100's in your rifle ... buy a box or load some

..... but USE A GOOD MANUAL for the charges!!!!!

And enjoy that Savage 99 ...... there are virtualy no other rifles that offer so much in such a smooth feeding but light weight package!!!

PS. I did get back into "99's" a while back.

I bought a scoped rotary mag in .243 Win.

I love it!

Three 44s
 
I own 5 99's in 250. They ALL shoot 100 gr. pills very well. Do not let anyone disuade you from 100 grainers. 117 and 120 I would not use.
 
Well I've managed to gather a few recipes from here, and last months guns & ammo, so I'm gonna round up some powders and pills next week and give 'er a go.
 
Mark, I'd sooner donate a kidney. Just funnin', no, I love the '99' and own one in every caliber made except 25-35, 32-40, and 38-55. Although there are more accurate rifles out there, nothing looks and feels like a 99. I hunt exclusively with the old 100 gr. round nose bullets that are no longer made for the 250. When ever I go to a gun show, I look for this obsolete ammo. Dropped a 218 pound 8 pointer in 2004 with one shot to the neck at 100+ yards outta the old 99 takedown in 250. Also do some bear hunting with one in 284 Win.
 


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