250 Savage

[Catahoula]

Is the 250 Savage adequate on the smaller plains game species (Impala, Blesbok, etc)? I'm headed back for plains game in September of next year with zebra, black wildebeest, and blesbok on the menu. I'll be taking my 8mm Rem Mag as my primary rifle, but am considering a Ruger No. 1 in 250 Savage to take along.

 

[Sand Rat]

First trip to Botswana my wife used the outfitters wife's 250 Savage. It was a very small framed M77 Ruger (smaller than my M77 UL .257). Her Impala dropped on the shot and the warthog she shot made a small donut and was done. I killed two jackets as well using it. I would say more than adequate for small plains antelope.

 

[Red Leg]

The .250 Savage was and is a great little round for whitetail. I had a beautiful deluxe grade model 99 that I still regret letting go of many years ago. The bullets back in the day tended to come apart at the fast velocity of the little savage. This was back when pure velocity was thought to kill, and people were trying to use the 3,000 fps wonder on everything from elk to tiger in India - sometimes it worked - sometimes not so much. With today's modern bullets it would be a superb light rifle for plains game. The Hornady 100gr interlock spire point would likely be my factory load of choice.

 

[flatwater bill]

I cannot think of much better a cartridge for light plains game than the 250 Sav. I assume your rifle is a modern one, but old 99's had a 14" twist and a lot of modern strong bullets won't stabilize..........these include bullets clear down to the 85 grain Nosler black tip, and most anything bigger than 100grains. New 10' twist guns no problem with anything. I own three 250's currently. I use a 100 grain Sierra Pro Hunter and 4320 powder.......two grains more in the bolt. I have killed animals weighing over 1000 pounds (yes) with this cartridge, but red Hartebeeste would be a better upper limit, and Red Leg is right...I found velocity alone was not the answer................I have always wanted to take a 250 to Africa. Be sure to let us know how things go...................FW Bill

 

[Catahoula]

Thanks for the input. I'm still debating. I haven't purchased the rifle, but am enamored with both the cartridge and the gun that is for sale.

 

[7x57Joe]

I had a Remington 700 Classic in the .250. First handload I tried gave a 7/10" group, 33.5 gr. H-4895/100 gr. Hornady SP. Shot everything from 87 gr. to 120 gr. bullet very well. Killed a few w/t deer with it but, was more satisfied with how my 7x57 killed. Should never have sold it.

 

[billc]

Pieter's son and daughter have both taken zebra with a 243 with no problems. I have taken a bunch of animals with my 257 and when I do my job it kills them dead. Speed does kill with a good bullet.

I would say that 250 would work great on all the plains game you would come across. Shot placement is the main thing not the caliber.

 

[Nosler guy]

we have a couple of 250's - our go to bullet is the 100 gr. Nosler Partition
- personally wouldn't take one to Africa, in my opinion there are several better options, I'd prefer something a bit bigger ...

 

[Hogpatrol]

.250 Savage? For sure it'll work. One item to consider, can you get ammo for it if yours is lost or will your outfitter have some for backup? Not a likely event but it's good to have a Plan B.

 

[Catahoula]

.250 Savage? For sure it'll work. One item to consider, can you get ammo for it if yours is lost or will your outfitter have some for backup? Not a likely event but it's good to have a Plan B.

Plan B is to use one of the outfitter's rifles. My primary rifle is an 8mm Remington Magnum. Not much chance of finding that on the shelf either!

 

[Catahoula]

Well, I took the plunge. The rifle is on the way. I'll need to decide on bullets. I'm a fan of the A frame, but think it may be too tough at heavy for caliber velocities in this round. I think I'll try interlocks, maybe even give the 117 grain round nose a try. The 110 grain interbond or accubond may be good as well.

 

[Longwalker]

I've shot a few big northern Whitetail deer with the 117 gr. Hornady RN, it is a very good bullet in a 1:10 twist .250, makes it punch above its apparent weight class. Used Win 760, 2700 fps. good to 250 yds. or so.

 

[Catahoula]

I've shot a few big northern Whitetail deer with the 117 gr. Hornady RN, it is a very good bullet in a 1:10 twist .250, makes it punch above its apparent weight class. Used Win 760, 2700 fps. good to 250 yds. or so.

That's good to hear. I've got a couple of boxes on the way. If they shoot well, I probably won't spend much time developing loads with other bullets. My self imposed shooting limit is 200-250 yards or so, especially off of sticks, and I prefer to get much closer. Don't see a need for more speed or flatter trajectory at those distances. The 117 grain round nose at 250 Savage velocities should offer good penetration as well.

 

[Longwalker]

That bullet exited each of the several deer I shot with it, but gave good expansion too. Deer were about 200-250 lb on the hoof. Range was 40 - 250 yds.

 

[Areaonereal]

Nosler accubond. 110 gr running around 2700 fps...accurate and plenty of speed to expand with minimal recoil......IMO ...ideal for plains game including Hartebeast, or even oryx within 200 yds.

 

[Dr Ray]

I cannot think of much better a cartridge for light plains game than the 250 Sav. I assume your rifle is a modern one, but old 99's had a 14" twist and a lot of modern strong bullets won't stabilize..........these include bullets clear down to the 85 grain Nosler black tip, and most anything bigger than 100grains. New 10' twist guns no problem with anything. I own three 250's currently. I use a 100 grain Sierra Pro Hunter and 4320 powder.......two grains more in the bolt. I have killed animals weighing over 1000 pounds (yes) with this cartridge, but red Hartebeeste would be a better upper limit, and Red Leg is right...I found velocity alone was not the answer................I have always wanted to take a 250 to Africa. Be sure to let us know how things go...................FW Bill

Well written and a big thanks to you.

 

[ZG47]

Well, I took the plunge. The rifle is on the way. I'll need to decide on bullets. I'm a fan of the A frame, but think it may be too tough at heavy for caliber velocities in this round. I think I'll try interlocks, maybe even give the 117 grain round nose a try. The 110 grain interbond or accubond may be good as well.

@Catahoula Fella I know, by the name of John Bissell, wrote an article approximately twenty years back about his bullet experience with Hornady and Sierra in .243 and .308. He found that the Hornady Interlock bullets he used (for private hunting and control of red deer and pigs) were equivalent in hardness and performance to the next weight up in the Sierra Pro Hunter range. Specifically, the .243 87 gr Hornady soft point Interlock was equivalent to the .243 100 gr Sierra Pro Hunter. The same applied with the.308 Hornady soft point Interlock and the .308 Sierra Pro Hunter.

I suspect that a similar relationship would apply to the .257 87gr Hornady Interlock and .257 100 gr Sierra Pro Hunter projectiles.

John still hunts for recreation and writes articles to help new hunters but these days spends more time managing at his computer than out in the field.

Have fun with your new toy and remember ... the missus always knows when you get another firearm! It is simply a matter of whether or not she tells you that she knows!

 

[Ridgewalker]

I’ve always been enamoured withe 25 caliber from the 25-20 to the mighty 257 Weatherby. My first big game rifle was a Centurion Mauser in 257 Roberts. Unfortunately it never got to kill a deer. Sold it to pay for tuition and books in college. Don’t think you could do that these days.
I still dream of having it back.
Catahoula, I’m really interested to see/here how your new acquisition shoots! Enjoy!

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

Is the 250 Savage adequate on the smaller plains game species (Impala, Blesbok, etc)? I'm headed back for plains game in September of next year with zebra, black wildebeest, and blesbok on the menu. I'll be taking my 8mm Rem Mag as my primary rifle, but am considering a Ruger No. 1 in 250 Savage to take along.

@Catahoula
Loaded with the Barnes 80grain ttsx or a,standard good 100grain cup and core it would be fine for Springbok on down. I would have no hesitation using it on blesbuck or red heartebeast either.
Bob

 

[Tubby’s Canteen]

I’ve always been enamoured withe 25 caliber from the 25-20 to the mighty 257 Weatherby. My first big game rifle was a Centurion Mauser in 257 Roberts. Unfortunately it never got to kill a deer. Sold it to pay for tuition and books in college. Don’t think you could do that these days.
I still dream of having it back.
Catahoula, I’m really interested to see/here how your new acquisition shoots! Enjoy!

I'm also very fond of the .25-20 I’ve got a Remington takedown pump I carried a lot trapping unfortunately I deprecated the stock of ammunition dad had for it when I was younger and becouse .25 caliber handguns are prohibited in Canada I can’t import any.

has anyone ever seen a handgun chambered for .25-20? Although lack of facts has never stopped our government from banning firearms before.