looking for info on loads for deer hunting.I've tried several but can't get the accuracy I want. The gun will shot 1/2" 100yard groups with WIN 100g. silvertip factory loads but the best group from my hand loads is 1 1/4". The gun is a mod 99 from the 20's but was rebarreled in the 80's. Yes I know i'm fussy about accuracy. I've tried 4895 4831 and 4350 powders. Any help would be appreciated.
pet loads 250 sav.
- Thread starter 250 sav
- Start date
BattleRife
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- of No Fixed Address
In terms of velocity, mine showed the best consistency with 3031 powder, H335 was pretty decent, too. I shoot open sights so I can't compare accuracy with any meaning.
Do you know whqt the rate of twist in the barrel is? I know you said it was re-barreled in the 80's--was it a new barrel or an old barrel re-fitted.
Older barrels have a 1-14 twist and most do not shoot well with bullets over 100 grains--and sometimes accuracy is iffy with 100 grains especially if the bullet is long for its weight.
Newer barrels are 1-10 twist and shoot shoot 100 grain bullets quite well. The heavier bullets--117 or 120's sometimes do not do well at 250 savage velocity.
1 1/4" is not too bad for deer size game at the ranges you should be shooting at them with a .250.
FWIW, 44Bore
Older barrels have a 1-14 twist and most do not shoot well with bullets over 100 grains--and sometimes accuracy is iffy with 100 grains especially if the bullet is long for its weight.
Newer barrels are 1-10 twist and shoot shoot 100 grain bullets quite well. The heavier bullets--117 or 120's sometimes do not do well at 250 savage velocity.
1 1/4" is not too bad for deer size game at the ranges you should be shooting at them with a .250.
FWIW, 44Bore
.250
I've got a 99A from the 70's that is a good shooter with either 87 or 100 grain Winchester loads. I've also had excellent results with 100 grain Noslers loaded over either IMR 3031 or Reloader 15.
What condition are your reloading dies in? Sometimes a die will seat the bullet with considerable run out causing painfully assembled reloads to scatter when factory rounds shoot well. A drastic velocity change can also effect the grouping with a two piece stock. The fitting of the forestock is always worth a look when trying for better accuracy from a 99.
I think that 1.25" groups however are quite fine for any deer/coyote hunting I require from a .250 using good bullets.
I bought my .250 back in 1996 when living in the north as the local store had tons of Winchester and Western .250 ammunition (87 and 100 grain). No one in the community had a .250 anymore so I bought many many boxes for $2.50 a box and still have some. I tried the little "pest" gun and to my considerable surprise it worked wonderfully. I was very conservative about my shots until I learned that even the 87 grain bullets would fully penetrate a mature caribou. I used it to take a crazy number of caribou, four black bears, one wolf, and a few seals. Great little round in a 99.
Regards.
I've got a 99A from the 70's that is a good shooter with either 87 or 100 grain Winchester loads. I've also had excellent results with 100 grain Noslers loaded over either IMR 3031 or Reloader 15.
What condition are your reloading dies in? Sometimes a die will seat the bullet with considerable run out causing painfully assembled reloads to scatter when factory rounds shoot well. A drastic velocity change can also effect the grouping with a two piece stock. The fitting of the forestock is always worth a look when trying for better accuracy from a 99.
I think that 1.25" groups however are quite fine for any deer/coyote hunting I require from a .250 using good bullets.
I bought my .250 back in 1996 when living in the north as the local store had tons of Winchester and Western .250 ammunition (87 and 100 grain). No one in the community had a .250 anymore so I bought many many boxes for $2.50 a box and still have some. I tried the little "pest" gun and to my considerable surprise it worked wonderfully. I was very conservative about my shots until I learned that even the 87 grain bullets would fully penetrate a mature caribou. I used it to take a crazy number of caribou, four black bears, one wolf, and a few seals. Great little round in a 99.
Regards.
My old Lyman book gives IMR3031 for the accuracy load with a 100 grain bullet. 30.0(2695fps) to 33.0(3012fps).
No loads for 4831 with any bullet weight. Hodgdon's site gives H4831 data for a 117 and 120 grain jacketed bullets only.
Your rifle's rifling twist matters too. 60 to 75 grain bullets don't stabilize well with a 1 in 10 twist. The 75's supposedly work well in a 1 in 14 barrel.
No loads for 4831 with any bullet weight. Hodgdon's site gives H4831 data for a 117 and 120 grain jacketed bullets only.
Your rifle's rifling twist matters too. 60 to 75 grain bullets don't stabilize well with a 1 in 10 twist. The 75's supposedly work well in a 1 in 14 barrel.
Last edited:
its not your loads its bullet ogive and a1-14 twist likely mine shot old Dominion 100gr RN in one hole .THE shortest bullets available are Speer 100gr Try 30gr IMR 3031 WITH THESE IN 99 or 32.5gr with Speer 87gr for deer.I pounded lots of big bodied deer in AB with either load....Harold
