I just traded into a new Bullberry barrel chambered for .250 Savage. Has anyone loaded for this round in the Encore or XP? I'm just looking to cut a little time off the process of finding a good consistent load. Primary interest is in general purpose load, probably using a 100gr bullet, probably a Ballistic Tip since excess velocity shouldn't be an issue here. Any info on the use of light bullet varmint loads would also be of interest.

Since the best rifle loads, velocity-wise, are often the best single shot pistol loads also, feel free to offer any advice you have based on rifle loading.

Thanks.

How long is the barrel?

14" barrel.

The first thing to go through it will be some Remington factory loads with a 100gr PSP, as that is the first box of .250 Savage ammo I could lay my hands to locally. I've got a order coming in with dies, bullets, brass, etc. I've got a pretty good selection of powders on hand, the first try will likely be RL15. Should make an impressive fireball if nothing else. :)

I'm guessing the factory ammo is using a rather fast powder as it sounds/feels like there is quite a bit of unused space in the casing.

All I've used is Varget. There isn't any data, but I cautiously worked up in my 99.

The gun has a 20" barrel and so velocities should be close to what you would see in a 15" barrel.

Bullets were 100gr. Cor-Lokts and the brass was once-fired Remington. Primers were Winchester large rifle.

30 grains = 2379fps (average of 3 shots)
31 grains = 2462fps "
32 grains = 2578fps "
33 grains = 2674fps "

At 33 grains I quit, the primers were very slightly cratered. That doesn't indicate much, but it was more than factory ammo, so I took it to be a touch higher pressure. 99s are fairly strong, but this gun doesn't have a scope so high velocity is not terribly important.

Given that I had reasonable accuracy in the middle, I loaded up a couple of boxes at 31.5 grains and called it good.

Hope this is useful.

Mike,

Thanks for the info. Varget is another powder that I use quite a bit of, so I'll be happy to try those loadings. I have a raft of loading manuals but they often don't include data for old cartridges with the newer powders..and I doubt any will be forthcoming.