Loading the .250-3000 Savage

I don't have one, so take this with a grain of salt. I want to get a 99 in Sav 250 but I want to make sure it's a 1:10 twist (or 1:9, don't remember) so that it will stabilize the 100 grain spitzer bullets. Everything I've read has said that the 1:14 will stabilize 100 grainers as long as they're relatively short such as flat round nose. It _usually_ won't stabilize 100 grain spitzers and boat-tails are right out. I think 87 gr would work on speed goats with the proper bullet construction

I've seen a couple of people who claim that their 1:14 250's will stabilize 115 grain spitzers, but they also say that all 99's had 1:14 twist.

Matt.

Savage 99?

There are more then a few problems you might run into.
Many of the early ones have over-size bores and will not give exceptional accuracy with any .257" bullet weight.

The original loading used a 87 grain bullet, although later ones with faster twist were available in 100 and 117 RN loadings.

If you have a 1/14, I imagine a 87 is your best, and possibly only bet.

rc

I have a 25-20 with a 14" twist that shoots a 75 gr Sierra 1600 bullet at 2300 fps accurately.

That bullet is short [0.751" long], and short is important for stabilizing.

This is the calculator I used to figure out a bullet to use:
http://www.bergerbullets.com/litz/TwistRuleAlt.php

The 250-3000 can be loaded to higher velocities and that helps stabilize more bullets.

BOTH of my Savage 99 guns, a carbine and a rifle, will stabilize 87 and 100gr Spitzer bullets just fine. In my testing H414 was the best propellent hands down no comparison.

Here is a scan from #4 Hornady book.

Ive got a ruger international with a 1-10 twist and a winchester light weight carbine with a 1-14 both shoot 87s real well but the win is real touchy with 100s. If 1 3/4 grous are good enough for you then it will work. I had a savage and still load for my buddys 99 and neither would do much better then minute of barn door with 100s and both shot exceptionaly well with 87s. Ive personly yet to see a 250 that wouldnt show pressure signs after about 2900 with a 100. I wouldnt worry about it though. My son hunted with that winchester for 15 years now and killed a bunch of deer with 87 grain sierras and hornadys. I prefer a 100 but an 87 will sure get the job done if you place the bullet where it belongs.

I use the load shown on the reload book page for IMR 4064 powder. I shoot this load in my '99 .250, 100 gr. Hornady' SP's, very good load @ 2700 fps. Very accurate load.