250 Donaldson

[mshelton]

I didn't see a subforum that covered the quarter bores so I'm posting it here.

Anyone have any information on this cartridge, and maybe the parent case? I saw it and a 250 Donaldson Ace in a book by CS Landis that I was thumbing through. It had a case diagram for both in there but I remember the Ace version showed a 270 stamp on the case as the parent case. The Ace was a smaller version of the plain Donaldson. I thought the all the Donaldsons were the same parent case but just wondering if that's the deal and if there's some decent modern brass that could be used.

Whole reason on this is that I'm planning a build on a falling block action and wanted to make something like a 1940s style groundhog rifle. I know it's not going to shoot with some of the newer rifles I have but always thought it would be a neat project. Originally was going to do a .257 Roberts AI but the Donaldson sounds like a cool one also.

 

[thekriebles]

The 250 Donaldson uses a 257 Roberts parent case. It has a case length of approx. 2.10", and the slightly smaller 250 Donaldson Ace/250 Don-Ace uses a 250 Savage parent case with a case length of approx. 1.92". The larger version has approximately 20% more case capacity. They both have a 30° improved shoulder, and each has the shoulder pushed back slightly to lengthen the neck.

The 257 Roberts can be formed from 30-06 brass, which you can get from Lapua. And, the 250 Savage can be formed from 308 Win... Lapua too either larger rifle primer pocket or their Palma version with small rifle primer pocket.

I believe you would be pleased with either version for your classic varmint project.

 

[bheadboy]

the 250 - savage version can be made from 22-250 brass as well - in the 50s I built a highwall with 219 mashburn Zipper, when the brass was a problem I later rechambered to the 225win, both great for your use.



Bob

 

[Carolina Man]

If your looking for a quarter bore with a rimmed case the take a look at the 25 Krag. Winchester brass is still available. The 22-250 is just a 250 Savage necked down to 22 and can be readly made from Lapua brass. There was also a 25-30 which was a standard Win case in their lever guns that might take a look at.

Just be sure of which Donaldson ACE your referring to because his last ACE cases were based on the 225 Win brass

George

 

[jdh47]

6.5 creedmoor cases are much the same and easier to get than 250 Savage.

 

[dedogs]

mshelton, How fast do you want to go and how far will you be shooting. Also do you want specifically a .25cal?

 

[mshelton]

I'm not worried about fast and far, I've got that covered in other rifles, was thinking this would probably be a 300yd gun max, with the stock configuration I'm thinking of it'll be one of the limiting factors, probably be best shot off a bull bag.

The .25 just intrigues me, from reading old books it was the next progression from a .22 and 6s were still in an experimental stage. Plus a 100g .25 cal will kill just about anything here in central VA and is legal for deer in the state where a .22cal isn't. If I do the math and ballistics the 6 will beat it every time, which is fine, I own a fleet of 6mms and I'm sure they will all do the job better than what I'm looking at building here but this is just for the project and neat factor. Looking at the cartridges, the Donaldson and Donaldson ACE, the ACE looks like it would be a pretty tame and mild little round though I may end up going with an Ackley .257 Bob, still fits in that 40s period but the ACE just seems neat.

Here's some pictures from the book I've been reading "Woodchucks and woodchuck rifles" by CS Landis.