Latest toy...... 250-3000

D

double gun

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I wanted a 250-3000 for some time, why? not entirely sure, I just really wanted one. But one day as I was reading Ackleys book I read up on the 250AI and started leaning that way. I collected all the parts including: Model 7 action, wildcat stock, benchmark barrel, dies, dummy rounds (thanks to another member), the reamer etc. But for some reason I kept putting the project off.
250project.jpg

The longer I waited to start, the more courage I lost and finally broke down and decided to go back to the original 250-3000. (Plus I figured I could always go AI down the road.) Finally the reamer and gauges showed up, so I ran out of excuses to keep putting it off. Havent decided whether or not to flute the bolt or do any other work but I am pleased with the package so far, just hope it shoots. :)
2503000.jpg
 
That is a nice setup. I too really like the .250 Savage and although I have only shot deer with it, I would not hesitate to take bigger game with the right bullets. The thing about the AI is that there seems to be a huge improvement but most of that, imo, comes from loading the AI version to much higher pressure. Keep in mind that the SAAMI specs for the .250 Savage are an anaemic 45,000 CUP. Note that the .22-250 is loaded to 65,000PSI.

How much does it weigh as it sits?
 
1899 said:
That is a nice setup. I too really like the .250 Savage and although I have only shot deer with it, I would not hesitate to take bigger game with the right bullets. The thing about the AI is that there seems to be a huge improvement but most of that, imo, comes from loading the AI version to much higher pressure. Keep in mind that the SAAMI specs for the .250 Savage are an anaemic 45,000 CUP. Note that the .22-250 is loaded to 65,000PSI.

How much does it weigh as it sits?
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I dont know when I will ever use this little rifle, but I really have a crush on the cartridge and hopefully I can find some use for the package. And I agree 100% about the AI velocity gains. This is the ONLY AI cartridge that I have any love for and would consider. As pictured it weighs just under 5 1/2 lbs, I never set out to build another lightweight but I hate packing a heavy rifle in a light caliber. I forgot to mention the barrel is 22".
 
I also have two 250 Savage calibered rifles. The first one I got came in a stainless ruger 77 full stock and it shoots a 110gr Accubond very nicely with IMR 4350. I just picked up my 2nd one this weekend, a model 14 American from Savage blued over a handsome piece of walnut that I am working on with the Scratch X trick. Just primed up 50 pieces of new Win brass and I'm going to break it in with some 75 gr Hornady's with some 3031 and also try some Varget.. The magazine that came with the rifle has a lot of extra space for longer bullets but some how I doubt there is much extra space in the throat. FS
 
It's a benchmark in a Douglas #1 contour, with about 0.650" of straight shank ahead of the recoil lug.
 
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I had the Savage out to the range today. I had loaded some varget loads and they were OK and I heard from a fellow on accurate reloading about trying 4064 powder so I loaded up 3 of each starting with 36.0 36.5 37.0 37.5. Nothing real special about the first 2 groups but the 37.0 group went inside a nickel and a couple touching at 37.5. These last 2 were quite a bit tighter than all of the loads I had tried with Varget earlier in the week. This is with new brass and 70gr Hornady HP bullets which judging by the pkg are around 50 years old. So I have fireformed 40 pieces of brass for the new Savage rifle. The next powder I will try is going to be Reloder 15 with 100gr Sierra bullets and 87gr Speer TNT bullets. FS
 
Fassteel said:
I had the Savage out to the range today. I had loaded some varget loads and they were OK and I heard from a fellow on accurate reloading about trying 4064 powder so I loaded up 3 of each starting with 36.0 36.5 37.0 37.5. Nothing real special about the first 2 groups but the 37.0 group went inside a nickel and a couple touching at 37.5. These last 2 were quite a bit tighter than all of the loads I had tried with Varget earlier in the week. This is with new brass and 70gr Hornady HP bullets which judging by the pkg are around 50 years old. So I have fireformed 40 pieces of brass for the new Savage rifle. The next powder I will try is going to be Reloder 15 with 100gr Sierra bullets and 87gr Speer TNT bullets. FS
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I tried the 100 Sierra Pro-Hunter (flat base) and got dime-size groups using RL 15. The 100 Rem Core-Lokt and the 100 Speer flatbase also shot great groups. This was in a 1923 Model 1899, slow-twist barrel. The Hornady shot very well but not like the other three. My present .250, a 1947 99, also 1:14 twist, will shoot consistently about 1.25 to 1.5 MOA with the Hornady or Speer and sub-MOA with the Remington. I haven't tried the Sierra in it yet. Once again, all loads with Reloder 15.
I have been lucky with the 100-grain bullets, which is what I'd prefer to hunt with, so I have only tried those plus the Hornady 87-grainer with RL 15 (grouped okay, nothing special) and the 117 Hornady roundnose with a compressed load of H4831SC. That made 5-shot groups about 2 to 2.5 inches at 100 yards, so not great accuracy, but would be a serviceable load in brushy country.
With a fast-twist barrel, though, the sky's the limit on bullet selection!
 
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