FINAL UPDATE: 250 Sav AI

[Dwh7271]

Stick a little RL15 in that thing with a 110 AB and you'll be happy. :grin:

 

[cloverleaf]

Stop it....I want one too! CL

 

[bobnob]

Worked up a medium game load using the 117g Hornady Interlock BTSP. Using 39.5g of Varget speed was 2880fps ave out of the 25 inch barrel. Fairly mild speeds I thought and the behaviour of the rifle and the brass indicated same.

Accuracy was pretty good, if not as great as the 85 NBT load above. 3 x 3 shot groups averaged about 0.8 moa with the below a fairly representative one.

I think with the 25 inch barrel I can safely get more speed and to that end I'll be pushing this load above 40g and shooting for 2900+ fps and hopefully accuracy just as good if not a little better.

I must say I've been extremely encouraged with the potential of this rifle, and the cartridge is a joy to shoot. The only shame is that the action which is a BSA CF2 is unnecessarily bulky for such a compact cartridge. Anyway I'm hooked at present and can't wait to use it on game.

Might try to whistle up a fox this weekend. I'll let you guys know how it goes.

 

[SJB358]

Very nice Bob. Seems like that is a great load. 2880 out of the 117 is moving out pretty nicely for such a small amount of powder.

I have always wanted a small 250 Savage or 250 Ackley. This is great info. I think the 250 Ackley is probably a perfect sorta round/rifle for a new/young hunter. Recoil has to be milder than a 243. Great stuff.

 

[bobnob]

Well thanks to your help all, I've got a great deer and pig load for this rifle. Using the Hornady 117g BTSP Interlock and 40.0 grains of Varget (called AR2208 here) the rifle is averaging 2950fps and putting in some great groups.

Took it out yesterday and these three groups resulted.




These groups are at 120y.

Gotta say this has been a delightful project. This rifle was nearly given to me for what I paid. Am now in the process of remodelling and refinishing the stock which will make the rifle present really well.

Thanks for all the help guys.

- Bob

 

[DrMike]

Not bad at all. Yeah, that'll do. Fine cartridge, that; and you're making it shine. Congratulations.

 

[cloverleaf]

Outstanding- who needs a 243? That 117 Gr load should do it all. A 110 AB or BT load should be about perfect. Glad it worked out for you. 20 years younger and I would NEED to have one! CL

 

[Guy Miner]

85 gr at 3500+ fps...

That's .25-06 territory. Sure you're not pushing the little rascal a little hard?

Guy

 

[Oldtrader3]

Try PO Ackley's, Book for Shooters and Handloaders, available from Amazon and others. Ackley's loads can be very hot so use good judgment with other manuals.

 

[bobnob]

85 gr at 3500+ fps...

That's .25-06 territory. Sure you're not pushing the little rascal a little hard?

Guy

Yes I'm quite sure that load is above 65k PSI even with the 25 inch barrel. I discontinued that load and when I go back to testing the 85 grainer I'll reduce the load by at least 2 grains. 3300-odd would be more like it.

It was extremely accurate though so I think the powder and oal were in the ball park.

Very happy with the 117g load however and it seems very mild pressure-wise.

Stripped back the poly-shiny stock finish and hand oil-rub refinished over the weekend and also slighly remodelled it, got rid of the BSA yucky rollover comb. Pretty happy with how it turned out...

 

[Oldtrader3]

Nice looking rifle, should be pretty effective for deer sized game.

 

[Dwh7271]

Nice rifle.
Great cartridge!