Loading 250 Savage AI (40 deg) with 110 - 120 bullets

[p-man]

Looking for loading experience with heavier bullets, especially with Reloder-17, Reloder-15, and Varget.
Also any load data with Barnes 100TTSX

 

[Brians356]

Nope, nope, nope and nope. But I have had great success in my 250 AI with 100-grain BT and RE-19.

Now, who will be the first chap to urge p-man to ream his chamber out to 257 Roberts AI? :

 

[Eddie Harren]

Not me. I have 2 250AI rifles and will not alter them in any way.

 

[Preacher]

Me neither....

 

[p-man]

I ain't changing nothing the first three shots out of this Rock Creek 5r 9-twist were three holes touching - besides this is a short action - my 257R is on a long action.

 

[Brians356]

I wish I had a dollar for every time someone tried to talk me out of 250-3000 AI chambering, including the two different gunsmiths I talked to about building it. "Gosh, why would you go that route when the 257 Roberts AI is even faster?"

As if.

 

[armistemjim]

my 250 AI has been shooting great for over 20 years. after 2000 rounds the group opened to 3/4 at 100yrds
4000rounds and i am now going to change barrel. darn thing is throwing a flyer now and then out 1.750 and they are becoing more frequent. two grand children my wife and three young men have learned to shoot with this rifle.
i am going back wit 250AI cause over the years i have not found a better round including your "bob".

 

[Brians356]

my 250 AI has been shooting great for over 20 years. after 2000 rounds the group opened to 3/4 at 100yrds
4000rounds and i am now going to change barrel.

Have you considered chasing the lands out a bit? Might not need a barrel.

You could also try running a few of the Tubb TMS bullets through it to dress up the throat. It's likely most of the bore and crown are still fine.

[Please, chaps, not participating in a religious argument about fire lapping or the Tubb system.]

Brian

 

[250AI]

Nice to see some 250AI fans out there. I've had 5 rifles over the years, own 3 at the moment. I don't use 120's except to fire form brass. The loads listed in the Sierra manual are a good place to start. In my rifles their max loads are over loads in my guns so start low. Tried RL17 with 100gr. bullets but couldn't get the velocity or accuracy that I can get with Varget, RL15 or 4064. RL15 seems to be temperature sensitive especially with max loads and 80gr. TTSX. On a really hot day the velocity can get really impressive but hard on brass. I did use 110gr. accubonds to cull WTs'. 39 grs. of RL15 gave right at 3000fps, .5 inch groups and preformed very well on deer and hogs. Just beware of temperature. Now for the bullet of choice and that is 100gr. TTX-TTSX. 3200 fps is do able with Imr 4064, Varget or RL15 but with reloading components getting more expensive and harder to come by I dropped my loads by 100fps to help case life. load is 38 or 38.5. I have used this load on hogs, pronghorn, wt, md, axis deer and while it isn't my first choice even taken 3 cow elk with it. Bullet performance has been exceptional and everything was a single shot. Also use this bullet in a 250-3000 at 2900fps with similar results. One AI and the 250SAV are Coopers and sub .5 in groups{3 shots} at 100yds. are routine and have shot quite a few .5 at 200yds. With the 80gr. TTSX you can reach 3500fps with H414. While accuracy is very good and performance on game good as well I prefer the 100s. Light recoil, economical, accurate and a lot of pop in a small case, what more can you ask for. 250AI rocks!

 

[Brians356]

The loads listed in the Sierra manual are a good place to start.

I assume you mean their 250 Savage data, or has Sierra added 250 AI to their book? (Not holding my breath.)

Brian

 

[250AI]

Sierra manual. Edition V. second printing. I have had it for quite a while.

 

[Brians356]

Sierra manual. Edition V. second printing. I have had it for quite a while.

Thanks, but that doesn't answer my question - does it include 250 Ackley Improved data?

 

[250AI]

Sorry, yes it does along with other AI rounds.

 

[LHSmith]

I joined the 250AI club last year and wish I had done it years ago. My loading data is limited, but from what data I have, the "Roberts AI " takes +3 grains more powder to equal the Savage AI velocity with 100's.

 

[p-man]

Armistemjim, I really love this Rock Creek 5r 9-twist - if you will be needing a new tube in the future, you may have to wait 4 or 5 months, but I can't speak highly enough of RC especially as this is a pencil-thin lightweight sporter barrel.