anyone have any opinion on the 250-3000? im thinking of another custom build on a left hand short action M700 and im about ready to make my decision on caliber, since i have no 25 calibers i thought this might be a good one for Pennsylvania whitetails? any opinions??

The caliber is a sweet choice. I'd go with a #1 contour 22" barrel with a 1-10 twist. With that 2.8" magazine, you can have the throat cut so you can seat the bullet out past the normal 2.515". You won't need the full 2.8", but 2.6" OAL is nice. And last, but not least, go with a right-hand action. Those left-hand actions are mighty awkward.

The .250 Savage is one of the mildest-mannered cartridges you'll find -- and it's plenty potent for deer and pronghorns.

I've used it in both rifle and pistol format, including its ballistic twin .257 JDJ, and can attest to the effectiveness of the round.

Go with a 1:10 or faster, and you'll be able to shoot the entire spectrum of bullets that are effective in this cartridge. You'll find, though, that it's hard to beat the 100 grain Ballistic Tip at 2850-2900 fps for deer. It is surgically accurate, penetrates amply and destroys pelnty of tissue along the way to result in quick, clean kills.

Re-15 is my favorite powder for the round.

quote:

And last, but not least, go with a right-hand action. Those left-hand actions are mighty awkward.

Not awkward for me because I was born left handed and left eye dominant. I must be the mail-mans kid or something thanks for the info

I had the very same project in mind. I was thinking of one of the new left hand 700 youth rifles you can get for less than $500 to start with.

I have a Custom 250 Savage, a Rem 700 Classic in that chambering, and a 250AI on a Rem 700 CDL short action. I've never used these for hunting, yet. This fall one will get the nod as they are all very accurate, and a joy for us guys in the geriatric set to shoot.

Don

For a handy, light weight, plenty accurate for hunting, easy recoiling, relatively quiet, deer rifle it would be hard to imagine one much better out of the big makers' boxes.

Sure wish they'd all go back to producing it. I'd sure like to have one in a Steyr "Pro-Hunter".

If utilitarian hardware will suffice Shaw will be putting out Savage barreled actions ,if they don't already and the 250-3000 can thus be had.
I have mounted a Shaw 250-3000 deep throated light weight barrel on the Stevens Mod.200. and it is as accurate as many hunting rifles used in the past.

With Savage now selling actions with accutriggers, barrels from other manufacturors can be home mounted. Another way to get that 250-3000. roger

The 250-3000 is a nice cartridge, but I prefer something with a little more speed, so my short action choice would the the 25-284. In fact, it I was forced to have only 1 rifle with which to shoot predators and medium game, I'd go with a Remington 700 and a 23" 700 LVSF contour barrel.

Jeff

The guys are right about the twist. My old Savage 99 has the slow 1:14 and gets wobbly with bullets approaching 100 grains. I know a guy who had one made up to weigh about 5 pounds, and used it for his passion: elk and sheep. He would start getting in shape in April, and was know to run through the woods to get ahead of elk he smelled.

Take a look at the 250-3000 Ruger Model 77 Mk I Full Stock rifle that SDH has for sale in the classifieds.. SWEEEET.

Don

I grew up on the 25-35 and then the 250 Savage. It kills deer out of porportion to its paper balistics..My dad killed probably 50 elk with one in his Savage 99, all with factory ammo and never wounded one..I have shot a few elk with one..

A gentle gun to shoot, accurate caliber, and I just can't think of a better choice.

Various big manufacturers still make the occasional run of rifles in the .250 Savage, God bless them!

Still just to make sure I never have to do without one despite the vagaries of life and gun-trading, I keep a couple of .25 barrel blanks, a .250 Savage reamer, and headspace gauges on hand in my little shop. (God bless retirement. If it wasn't for having to get old to get there, it would be he greatest thing on earth. Come to think of it, though, reckon I'd rather have youth...)

quote:

Originally posted by 260remguy:
The 250-3000 is a nice cartridge, but I prefer something with a little more speed, so my short action choice would the the 25-284.
Jeff

Why not go to a 250AI which goes 3,400fps with a 90gr. HPBT according to Sierra's 6th edition on less than 42grs of RL15.
This bullet flat gets the job done on any deer! Compare this to any larger 25's and draw your own conclusions.

Stepchild

I have a very high opinion of the 250-3000 and think it would be a terrific choice. I am a quarter bore fan. The 25 wssm has become my favorite but not a fit for your action.

A friend of mine has a .308 necked down to .257 and sings its praises constantly. I'd give that serious thought for your action.

I'm reading into this thread"** Oh ya that's an OK cartridge but it would do better if it delivered a little more ummph**"

One of the beauties of the 250-3000 is that it is balanced with respect to velocity, range,and killing energy when conventional cup and core bullets are used. Premium bullet construction is not needed for it to perform well and it reaches out as far as I can accurately shoot. The 25-35 in the hands of a proficient rifle man and hunter( Ray's Daddy) falls somewhat in that catagory also.

The 250-3000 takes a little step up in a bolt action rifle with a longer throat and a faster twist. roger

Roger, I believe you nailed it in your last post (above).

The .250-3000 is what it is. It is a fine relatively light gun, with adequate power and accuracy, and plenty sufficient power for killing deer out to 300 or so yards. It also has lots of nice side qualities, such as low noise, low recoil, relatively low operating pressures, relatively cheap to reload, etc.

Of course, there are circumstances when more might be useful. That is true regardless which cartridge one selects to talk about.

Hell, I'll bet there are folks in this world who would best be served with no rifle at all. Instead they probably need a direct radio link to an on-station aircraft with a 30 m/m chain gun, and a laser target designator!! Gets those prairie dogs every time, even at 30,000 meters!!

I haven`t seen much use for anything else since going to Oregon in 92. I still take my 264 Win E. for elk but nothing has walked away from my little 600 250 Sav AI, elk included.
Aloha, Mark

The Decision has been made, a 1;10 twist chamber in 250-3000. even though its old not many have anything to say BAD about the caliber and for what i want it for it will fit the bill nicely. when its done i will post pics.
thanks everyone for your input!
Dave

Mark, what is your 'elk bullet of choice' in the ai?

700,
IMHO you have made an excellent decision! However, down the road resist the temptation to ream it to 250AI unless you want to build another rifle. I promise you will miss the 250/3000 and will need to build another. I DID !!!!!!!!!
GOOD LUCK and GOOD SHOOTING!!

That 250AI I have is unbelievably accurate...
What a great short action chambering!!!
In reality, it's a short action 257 Roberts.

Don

One of the finest medium game rounds ever designed.

"Bitte, trinks du nicht das Wasser. Dahin haben die Kuhen gesheissen."

Please dont drink the water the cows shit in it.

your German is a bit rusty

quote:

Originally posted by 700varmint:
"Bitte, trinks du nicht das Wasser. Dahin haben die Kuhen gesheissen."

Please dont drink the water the cows shit in it.

your German is a bit rusty

but its still funny