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Common uses: Hunting, Varmint
| Type | rifle (centerfire) |
| Typical load | 100gr Remington Core-Lokt Pointed Soft Point |
| Muzzle velocity | 2820 fps |
| Muzzle energy | 1766 ft-lb |
| Published G1 ballistic coefficient | 0.285 |
| Case length | 49 mm |
| Overall length | 64.3 mm |
| Range (yd) | Velocity (fps) | Energy (ft-lb) | Drop (in) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | 2820 | 1765 | -1.5 |
| 100 | 2499 | 1386 | 0 |
| 200 | 2201 | 1076 | -4.1 |
| 300 | 1924 | 822 | -15.4 |
| 400 | 1670 | 619 | -36.2 |
| 500 | 1446 | 464 | -69.5 |
At 1,000 yards, .250 Sav. (100gr at 2820 fps, 100 yd zero, standard conditions) has a modeled come-up of about 57.1 MOA / 16.6 MIL, retaining 896 fps (subsonic).
| Range (yd) | Velocity (fps) | State | Drop (in) | Elev (MOA) | Elev (MIL) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 300 | 1924 | Supersonic | -15.4 | 4.9 | 1.43 |
| 400 | 1670 | Supersonic | -36.2 | 8.7 | 2.52 |
| 500 | 1446 | Supersonic | -69.5 | 13.3 | 3.86 |
| 600 | 1257 | Transonic | -119.6 | 19.0 | 5.54 |
| 700 | 1115 | Subsonic | -191.9 | 26.2 | 7.61 |
| 800 | 1019 | Subsonic | -291.8 | 34.8 | 10.13 |
| 900 | 950 | Subsonic | -425.3 | 45.1 | 13.13 |
| 1000 | 896 | Subsonic | -597.5 | 57.1 | 16.60 |
Extended predictions beyond 500 yards are modeled from the same G1 engine — useful for initial DOPE, but outside the 500-yard manufacturer-table validation audit. Confirm with observed DOPE, especially near transonic.
A retained-energy reference only — not a shoot/don't-shoot distance. Real effective range depends on your accuracy, shot placement, bullet construction, and conditions. The ~1,000 ft-lb (deer-sized) and ~1,500 ft-lb (elk-sized) figures are commonly cited rules of thumb, not standards.
Your barrel, ammunition lot, and conditions will differ — always verify against the manufacturer's data and your own rifle.
The .250 Savage earned a lasting reputation as a mild-mannered, flat-shooting deer and varmint cartridge that punches above its modest size. Shooters valued it for light recoil and inherent accuracy, making it a favorite for younger and recoil-sensitive hunters and for close-to-medium range work on deer, antelope, and coyotes. With lighter bullets it doubles effectively as a varmint round, while heavier loads extend its usefulness on deer-sized game. Its main limitations are modest case capacity and energy compared to more powerful modern cartridges, so it is best kept to smaller big game at reasonable ranges rather than large or heavy animals. Though largely eclipsed by newer offerings and no longer common on shelves, it retains a devoted following among Model 99 owners and fans of classic American cartridges.
The .250 Savage, originally introduced as the .250-3000, was designed by Charles Newton and introduced by Savage Arms in 1915 for the Savage Model 99 lever-action rifle. Its "-3000" designation came from the original 87-grain load, which reached 3,000 feet per second and made it the first American commercial cartridge to break that velocity barrier. Newton had proposed a heavier 100-grain bullet and questioned whether the publicity over higher velocity justified the reduced penetration of the lighter bullet on larger game, but Savage reduced bullet weight to hit the 3,000 fps mark for its marketing appeal. It remained a respected medium-game and varmint round for decades and helped establish the small-bore, high-velocity design philosophy that shaped later American cartridges.
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