Wanted 87gr 250-3000 Savage Ammunition

[rookhawk]

I have a 1:14 twist savage 99 in 250 savage. I understand the 80-87gr bullets stabalize properly. I understand that the Speer Hotcore spitzer in 87gr is most accurate in these guns followed by a nosler ballistic tip as a second option. I understand that these older twist rate guns will not shoot the current production 100gr ammo by Remington and Hornady.

Does anyone have any ammo that will work for this gun in hunting conditions?

 

[flatwater bill]

Good luck with your search. I have 3 of these old model 99's in 250-3000. There are some newer bullets as light as 85 grains that will not shoot well. But the 100 grain Sierra Pro-Hunter has been my go to bullet. Relatively short and flat based, it is a deer and pronghorn killer..........FWB

 

[rookhawk]

Good luck with your search. I have 3 of these old model 99's in 250-3000. There are some newer bullets as light as 85 grains that will not shoot well. But the 100 grain Sierra Pro-Hunter has been my go to bullet. Relatively short and flat based, it is a deer and pronghorn killer..........FWB

FWB, its such a dandy of a gun I want to use it for New England deer hunting, 150 yard max shot, most shots well under 80 yards. Needs to drop deer with iron sights.

What Ammo will regulate with reasonable accuracy in the original 1:14” twist rate barrels?

I‘m not setup for handloading and I picked the wrong year to attempt to buy components! Hoping to find completed cartridges.

 

[Woodcarver]

My 99 in 250-3000 shoots factory Remington 100gr PSP sub-MOA. What it won't shoot, is the 115-120gr bullets; just can't get under 2" groups no matter what powder, primer, or bullet I've tried.
With Remington's bankruptcy, and the dearth of components, good luck in your quest. While I seldom shoot factory anything, 250-3000 was only put out by Remington and Winchester that I ever saw. And the only load I saw from either was 100gr, Corelokt or Silver Tips.

 

[flatwater bill]

RkHk...The only cartridges I ever bought for any of these rifles was W-W in both 100 grain and 87 grain. In fact, even 40 years ago, I had trouble finding loaded rounds. This year may be really bad for that. Not a lot of people shoot this little quarter bore, so maybe some ammo will be found lying around in inventory. I think Wcarver has given some good info, and that the Rem 100 grainer would be fine if you could find some. Best of luck........FW Bill

 

[rookhawk]

RkHk...The only cartridges I ever bought for any of these rifles was W-W in both 100 grain and 87 grain. In fact, even 40 years ago, I had trouble finding loaded rounds. This year may be really bad for that. Not a lot of people shoot this little quarter bore, so maybe some ammo will be found lying around in inventory. I think Wcarver has given some good info, and that the Rem 100 grainer would be fine if you could find some. Best of luck........FW Bill

vintage 99s are 1:14twist. I think if you’re shooting 100gr loads you have newer 99s that had 1:12 twist rates.

 

[Woodcarver]

Well, if 1916 doesn't qualify as vintage, I'm not sure what does. Have to say though, I've never checked rate of twist in that rifle.
When did they change rifling? I have heard mention of it before, but never was clear on when it happened.

 

[rookhawk]

Well, if 1916 doesn't qualify as vintage, I'm not sure what does. Have to say though, I've never checked rate of twist in that rifle.
When did they change rifling? I have heard mention of it before, but never was clear on when it happened.

‘I’m not sure, 1950s-1960s? I was warned my gun won’t shoot the 100gr correctly and the speer hcsp 87gr was the most accurate in old guns. I’m a parrot, I haven’t tested any of this.

 

[flatwater bill]

Newer 250’s, like my Ruger bolt are 1:10. Older 99,s are indeed 1:14. Western Tool and Copper put out the 100 grain load with short, flat based bullets for the original 250-3000 in the model 99. Unless the rifle is badly worn (one of mine is) they will shoot the 100 grainer fine. It was made for them...FWB

 

[Woodcarver]

‘I’m not sure, 1950s-1960s? I was warned my gun won’t shoot the 100gr correctly and the speer hcsp 87gr was the most accurate in old guns. I’m a parrot, I haven’t tested any of this.

From what I've seen/heard/read, and experienced, most 99s do well up to 100gr. I've loaded down to the 75gr with good results. None of them liked the lighter bullets, as in less than 75gr, and none would shoot the 117/120s. I bet I ran a couple hundred downrange trying though, lol!
Your best bet is to find someone who reloads and have them put together some ammo for you. I've actually seen 250 brass available recently, and I'll bet you can find some 87-100gr bullets if you keep your eyes open.
It's a great, no-recoil round for antelope and deer. With the 75gr HPs I loaded, it was devastating on coyotes and prairie dogs. The 99 tends to be a very accurate lever gun.

 

[flatwater bill]

All the tang safety model 99's I have seen in 250 Sav caliber have been 1:10. Have seen a number of them from the 70's. I am not sure of what year they changed the twist. The Western 100 grain load was intro'd in 1921 and at the time Savage only offered 1:14 It would not have been such a success if it had not stabilized. Here is a Sierra 100 grain Pro-Hunter that is 0.96 inches long, and for comparison, an 85 grain Combined Technology bullet that is 1.005 inches long..........good shooting........FWB

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

I have a 1:14 twist savage 99 in 250 savage. I understand the 80-87gr bullets stabalize properly. I understand that the Speer Hotcore spitzer in 87gr is most accurate in these guns followed by a nosler ballistic tip as a second option. I understand that these older twist rate guns will not shoot the current production 100gr ammo by Remington and Hornady.

Does anyone have any ammo that will work for this gun in hunting conditions?

@rookhawk
I may be wrong as usual but I think I saw some 25 cal stuff on either pay it forward or in the classified section
Bob

 

[Fredsteyn]

Good luck with your search. I have 3 of these old model 99's in 250-3000. There are some newer bullets as light as 85 grains that will not shoot well. But the 100 grain Sierra Pro-Hunter has been my go to bullet. Relatively short and flat based, it is a deer and pronghorn killer..........FWB

Thanks I bought a Model 99 takedown model (old version) in 250 Savage today. This is the info I needed, really want to load it 100gr but will see what she does. I've received some bags of brass and a few boxes loaded ammo with the rifle, will see if I can find Sierra Pro Hunters

 

[Ryeboy86]

If you gentlemen go to "hendershots.net" they have a wide variety of ammunition choices for the 250 Savage. You'll have to call if you decide to order. Lead time is about 4wks. They have 80gr, 85gr, 87gr, 90gr, 100gr, 110gr and 115gr from Nosler, Swift, Hornady, Sierra, Speer and Barnes. They'll custom load for you. Hope this helps!

 

[BourbonTrail]

@rookhawk

I found some 87 gr. at a place called “Black Dog Ammunition”. They have Speer HCSP and Sierra Spitzer, not sure if that will help or how they are to deal with, but it’s an option.

250 Savage | Black Dog Ammunition

blackdogammunition.com

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

Thanks I bought a Model 99 takedown model (old version) in 250 Savage today. This is the info I needed, really want to load it 100gr but will see what she does. I've received some bags of brass and a few boxes loaded ammo with the rifle, will see if I can find Sierra Pro Hunters

@Fredsteyn
Try the 80gn Barnes TTSX at 3,100fps, makes a great deer round.
Bob

 

[Joker12]

If you still haven't found any ammo and have brass I would be happy to load some for you. I have primers, bullets and suitable powders. You would need to buyva set of dies but thats a $30-$40 expense at most. I have been handloading for over 50 years for all of my rifles and handguns.

 

[Fredsteyn]

If you still haven't found any ammo and have brass I would be happy to load some for you. I have primers, bullets and suitable powders. You would need to buyva set of dies but thats a $30-$40 expense at most. I have been handloading for over 50 years for all of my rifles and handguns.

Thanks I load myself as well. I am in South Africa which makes things a little more difficult, but I should be good. I received a die set with the rifle so ready to go. Hopefully it will be successful on some pigs in the future.

Very few of these around in RSA. Not great for our conditions but I have a plan with it and my sons can use the rifle as well.

Seems to be a shooter, I will be the first guy I know to shoot a 250 Savage around my parts and I like that idea

 

[Fredsteyn]

@Fredsteyn
Try the 80gn Barnes TTSX at 3,100fps, makes a great deer round.
Bob

Thanks I will start the search. I am planning to use it as a pig gun. Bushpig hunting around my parts is a thing, because they destroy farmers crops. My sons can also hopefully carry it one day since it's light/ well balanced and no recoil, easy to operate.

 

[rookhawk]

@rookhawk

I found some 87 gr. at a place called “Black Dog Ammunition”. They have Speer HCSP and Sierra Spitzer, not sure if that will help or how they are to deal with, but it’s an option.

250 Savage | Black Dog Ammunition

blackdogammunition.com

these Savage 250-3000 can be pretty tricky. I got Hendershots to load me 87gr Speer hot cores. I think they charged only about $40 a box which I thought was a bargain.

An 80gr Barnes would be unlikely to stabilize I’m told, since it’s about a 102gr lead equivalent by volume. You’d need like a 65gr-68gr copper bullet to get to the correct volume for the twist rate.