I have been thinking about a bolt action build in the future with the 250 sav ai. I used to shoot a m99 250 savage as my first centerfire when I was a kid, My son is going to shoot this project gun when he's old enough to handle it. I know the standard 250 cartridge has very little kick, is good for up to deer size game at a reasonable range and is just fun to shoot. Ackley improved it will have better brass life and good performance over the standard 250. I'm interested in using a mauser action, don't know what barrel manufacture, length or twist rate. Maybe 22 or 24 inch tube , 10, 12 or 14 twist? I would like to shoot varmint rounds and maybe 80 grain ttsx for deer hunting. I was just looking for some input or someone with experience with this cartridge.
info on 250 savage ai
- Thread starter jpappy
- Start date
I seem to recall reading a few years ago that PO Ackley himself considered the 250 AI to be the very best of his improved cartridges.
Its another chambering that I've often thought would be really good, but just never got around to getting one built, maybe next...
Its another chambering that I've often thought would be really good, but just never got around to getting one built, maybe next...
The AI version is loaded to high pressure, the regular version is loaded to low pressure in defference to the old lever actions. I'd go with a 1:10 twist and would not build on a M98 because I can't see a point in putting a short action cartridge into a long action. For an intermediate length M98 I'd go with a .257 Roberts.
Moose Masher
CGN Regular
- Location
- Oak Hammok Manitoba
I would use a 1:9 twist tube as well.
I have used a 1970s Savage 99A quite a bit over the years for caribou, deer, and several black bears. It is a dandy round and the 1-10" barrel in my rifle has shot every bullet weight well. Bullet performance from regular bullets has been very good however when I next need to buy some I believe that I will just get 100 gr Nosler Partitions and go hunting.
I would like to hear what use you are considering the AI improved version for. Do you what more velocity and speed from the 100 grainers or do you lean more towards a 120 gr loading? Both are good reasons, just wondering your thoughts. I have had a few AI rounds (not the .250 though) and I feel that some make great cartridges as long as they feed smoothly.
I love mauser 98s but likely would not choose one for this project. I would lean more towards a short action Winchester model 70 Classic or a short action CZ. Both os these would require a simple rebarrel and some smoothing work plus I like the factory stock style to save on money. Just make sure that what ever reamer you use establishes a OAL that works with the action length and your preferred bullet.
Years ago, I would have doubted a small 100 gr bullet at 3000 fps as a reliable killer but I have witnessed too many dead animals on the ground beside that old 99 for that now. Experience is a great refiner or ideals! Just use a bullet suitable to the fps and game and go have fun.
I would like to hear what use you are considering the AI improved version for. Do you what more velocity and speed from the 100 grainers or do you lean more towards a 120 gr loading? Both are good reasons, just wondering your thoughts. I have had a few AI rounds (not the .250 though) and I feel that some make great cartridges as long as they feed smoothly.
I love mauser 98s but likely would not choose one for this project. I would lean more towards a short action Winchester model 70 Classic or a short action CZ. Both os these would require a simple rebarrel and some smoothing work plus I like the factory stock style to save on money. Just make sure that what ever reamer you use establishes a OAL that works with the action length and your preferred bullet.
Years ago, I would have doubted a small 100 gr bullet at 3000 fps as a reliable killer but I have witnessed too many dead animals on the ground beside that old 99 for that now. Experience is a great refiner or ideals! Just use a bullet suitable to the fps and game and go have fun.
The 250 AI is probably the best of the AI cartridges. The sloped case gains the most from improving (in case capacity terms ) then the rest according to PO Ackley. Puts the 250 right behind factory 25-06 ammunition. In an intermediate action with a 25 bore the 257 Roberts in either standard or AI (my preference ) would be a better choice. - dan
