pet loads for a 99 in .250-3000

[stomp442]

Picked up a nice old 99 take down chambered in my favorite caliber 250-3000. Condition of the rifle is great and the bore looks clean and not worn at all but I can't seem to get the thing to shoot for the life of me. Best results have been with 38.5 grains of H380 providing about 3 inch groups at 100 yards with sierra 87 grain varminters. Am I out of line to expect an inch group at 100 yards with this rig? I would love this thing to deal death to coyotes with but I want a bit more accuracy out of it. Any help or suggestions would be great.

[geargrinder]

If you have a 14" twist barrel you could try some other bullets up to about 100g. A 14" twist won't stabilize anything much heavier. Have you tried any other powders/bullets.

Some barrels are just picky about certain powders or bullets.

I have an old 99TD in 250sav but I haven't loaded for it in over 20 years. It was my great grandfather's who bought it new in 1917. It will be my daughter's first rifle when she is old enough.

[stomp442]

Yeah I have tried 75 - 100 grain bullets with Varget, 4064, H4350, R-17 and H380. According to the serial it was made in 1916. I know its been a long time but do you remember the accuracy you were getting with it?

[375Win]

I'm quessing your seeing about as good as it gets. The barrel was most likely cleaned from the muzzle and after nearly 100yrs it is worn a little from the cleaning rod.

It wasn't that long ago that a 1" rifle was something to brag about. My 250-3000 would open to 6" with 100gr FB bullets and shot it's best 2" with 75gr FB bullets . 87 gr Hotcors ran around 3" but that was fine for deer and called coyotes.

[375Win]

I think your about as good as it gets. After nearly 100yrs of cleaning most likely from te muzzle there is some wear from the cleaning rod. Mine would openn to 6" with 100gr FB(flatbase) and was at 3" with 87 Hotcores. It was at it's best with 75gr FB's, 2" groups. Which were just fine for deer and called coyotes.

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y222/Browndaug/250-3000TD001.jpg

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y222/Browndaug/250Savgroupsmay2011006_zps7fb3bbec.jpg

I loaded most everything with 3031 and pretty mild.

[stomp442]

Thanks for the input. I actually just shot my last four 75 grain Hornady Vmax pushed by 39.5 grains of H380 into 3/4" group at 100 yards. I think I finally found the sweet spot. Just ordered another box of Hornadys to verify and chronograph. I ended up bedding the fore arm the full length and that really seemed improve things allot. Thanks again.