Rifle · SAAMI
.250 Savage
Historic quarter-bore cartridge that achieved the then-remarkable milestone of 3,000 fps muzzle velocity using an 87-grain bullet.
- Caliber
- 0.2571″ · 6.579 mm
- Introduced
- 1915
- Case
- Rimless
- Parent
- .30-06 Springfield
- Primary use
- Hunting, Varmint
- Status
- Active
- Introduced
- 1915
- Type
- Rifle
- Origin
- United States
- Inventor
- Charles Newton
- Manufacturer
- Savage Arms
- Standard
- SAAMI
- Status
- Active
- Availability
- Limited
- Case capacity
- 45.5 gr H₂O
- Twist (typical)
- 1:14
- Primer
- Large Rifle
- Case type
- Rimless
- Max pressure
- 45,000 CUP, SAAMI crusher
- Eff. range
- 300 yd
- Max range
- 4200 yd
- Recoil
- 8–12 ft·lb
Introduced by Savage Arms
Ballistics
Published velocity/energy data isn't available for .250 Savage. Parent case: .30-06 Springfield.
Performance
Dimensionscase measurements · scale drawing · size vs familiar rounds
Case dimensions — the scale drawing at the top of the page is built from these.
SAAMI · approximate| Measure | mm | in | ✓ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bullet ⌀ | 6.58 | 0.259 | ~ |
| Neck ⌀ | 7.26 | 0.286 | ✓ |
| Shoulder ⌀ | 10.25 | 0.404 | ✓ |
| Shoulder angle | 26.5° | — | ✓ |
| Base ⌀ | 11.86 | 0.467 | ~ |
| Rim ⌀ | 11.99 | 0.472 | ✓ |
| Belt ⌀ | n/a | ||
| Rim thickness | 1.24 | 0.049 | ✓ |
| Neck length | 6.96 | 0.274 | ≈ |
| Case length | 48.55 | 1.911 | ✓ |
| Overall length | 63.88 | 2.515 | ✓ |
Size vs familiar rounds
Drawn at true 1:1 — every case is accurate relative to the others. Absolute size depends on your screen's pixel density, so measuring one against a real ruler may be off. .250 Savage is highlighted below.
Factory loads
Being verified
Advertised FPS, energy, and BC are withheld until loads clear verification.
Suitable powders
1 reloading powder listed for .250 Savage, fastest to slowest. Cross-reference in the finder →
Reloading costestimate cost per round vs factory
Estimate your cost per round and how it compares to factory. Inputs are yours — nothing is stored.
Cost estimate only — not load data. Charge weight is your input; follow published manuals for safe charges.
Firearms chambered in .250 Savage
Lineage
shortened & necked to .257
Connected reference
History
Introduced in 1915, the .250-3000 Savage was the first commercial cartridge to reach 3,000 fps — hence the designation. Designer Charles Newton wanted 100-grain bullets, but Savage marketed the lighter load for the velocity milestone. In 100-grain loading it's a superb deer and medium game cartridge. Factory ammunition remains available but in limited distribution.
FAQs
- What twist rate does .250 Savage use?
- .250 Savage typically uses a 1:14 twist rate.
- What bullet diameter is .250 Savage?
- .250 Savage uses a 0.2571″ (6.579 mm) diameter bullet.
- Is .250 Savage still in production?
- .250 Savage is active; typical availability is limited.
- What is .250 Savage used for?
- .250 Savage is primarily used for hunting, varmint.
- What is .250 Savage based on?
- .250 Savage is derived from the .30-06 Springfield case.
- What are the best powders for .250 Savage?
- Reloading powders commonly listed for .250 Savage include IMR 3031.
Sources & provenance
Data & sources. Specs compiled from the Lindcott Armory reference; availability counted from 29 live factory loads; the trajectory is modeled (point-mass), not measured. See methodology. Spotted an error? Report it →
