250-3000 Savage
(250-3000)
A new cartridge with a muzzle velocity of
3000 fps wouldn't cause today's hunters to look twice, but can you imagine
what a ruckus it would kick up if the fastest commercially produced big game
cartridge available was the
Winchester
30-30? This was exactly the situation when Savage introduced the .250-3000
cartridge back in 1915. Charles Newton, who designed the cartridge, urged
Savage to introduce it with a 100 grain bullet, but in order to to reach
the desired velocity of 3000 fps, bullet weight was reduced to 87 grains.
Later, a 100 grain factory load was made available, making the .250 a more
suitable cartridge for shooting deer.
Even though the .250-3000 took a back seat to the Winchester and Remington
6mm cartridges during the 1950's, there isn't two cents worth of difference
in performance between the new and the old. Recent testing of the .250 in
a Remington Model 700 Classic and Ruger Model 77 proved once again that when
loaded with modern powders, the .250 will push a 100 grain bullet to over
3000 fps. Velocity with the 75 grain bullet averaged 3400 fps. A number of
groups fired with both bullets measure less than MOA. Presently, the Ruger
Model 77 and Remington's Custom Shop version of the XP-100 are the only factory
firearms available in this caliber.
For all around hunting of deer sized game, the 100 grain bullet is hard to
beat. Woods hunters who prefer deeper penetration for quartering shots on
game usually opted for heavier bullets. The .250-3000 is not at all choosy
about the powder it is fed, but the author has had best results with
H414,
H380,
IMR-4320, and
W-760.
Source: Hodgdon Data Manual, 26th Edition
Historical Notes:
Designed by Charles Newton, the 250 Savage was introduced by the Savage Arms
Company as a high velocity round for the Model 99 lever action rifle. The
original loading used an 87 grain bullet at 3000 fps muzzle velocity, and
Savage named it the 250-3000. One suspects the 87 grain bullet was chosen
because it could be safely driven at 3000 fps with the powders then available.
This allowed Savage to introduce it with the ever so sexy name 250-3000.
Remember in 1915, when this cartridge was introduced, riflemen were still
marvelling at cartridges achieving 2000 fps. About 1932, the 100 grain bullet
load was marketed by Peters Cartridge Company and later the velocity of the
87 grain bullet was slightly increased. Now it is simply called the 250 Savage.
The Savage Model 20 and 40 bolt action rifles also chambered the round as
did the Winchester Model 54 and 70 bolt actions. Late in 1971, Savage announced
that their Model 99 would be again available in this caliber. Others such
as Ruger and Remington, have made rifles in this caliber also.
General Comments:
Flat trajectory, outstanding accuracy and good killing power on anything
up to and including deer are established characteristics of the 250 Savage.
It was, and is, excellent on varmints through deer. In the past few years
it has been edged out by the
257 Roberts
and the new 6mm cartridges. It is far superior as a deer cartridge to the
30-30 or anything
in that class, regardless of what some
30-30 addicts
claim. Because of its light recoil, it is an excellent choice for youths
and women. The 250-3000 is the basis of one of Ackley's best wildcats, the
250 Ackley Improved. Both Remington and Winchester continue to load this
caliber. However the 87 grain and 120 grain bullets are no longer factory
loaded.
Source: Cartridges of the World
| 250 Savage (250-3000) Reloading Components & Accessories | |
Hornady
Shell Holder #1  |
 RCBS
Case Trimmer Pilot .25 Caliber
 |
| 25 Caliber (.257) Bullets |
RCBS Standard Bullet Puller, Collet 25
 |
| RCBS
Ammo Box (#86902) |
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