Savage Model 1899
I just bought an old Savage and partially disassembled it for cleaning. Does the magazine carrier spring have to be pre-loaded or does the process of inserting the cartridges load the carrier spring? Is the .250-3000 Savage cartridge still available? Can't find it in my charts.
0
-
Yes, if you have the spool-type magazine, the spring must be pre-loaded. There may be a formula as to how much, but I've never found out exactly what it is--I do it by experimentation. I know it isn't very much (it's been awhile since I did one) but I believe it is usually less than one full turn of the spool. Too little and it won't feed the last one or two cartridges, too much and you'll get jams or in the case of some worn guns the unfired cartridges will be forced out of the receiver when the bolt is opened. Also, you'll be unable to get the full number into the magazine. So, you just have to fool around with it until it works properly. I believe that there is individuality in these old guns due to the strength of the particular rifle's springs, which may have been weakened by leaving the guns loaded for long periods. Anyway--I usually get it by the 3rd try, and you probably will too. Like I said, start with about 3/4 of a full turn and then a little more the next try if a second attempt is necessary. The test is, does it reliably present the last shell in the magazine for chambering every time. 0 -
As for the second part of your question: There is an article by Craig Boddington on page 12 of "RifleShooter" Magazine, July/August 2002, entitled, "CaseHistories--.250-3000 Savage" which starts off, "I note with chagrin that Winchester no longer catalogues a load for the .250 Savage, or, as some still call it, the .250-3000. This means that right now Remnington's 100-grain Core-Lokt spitzer is the last factory load for this classic and historic cartridge." 0 -
Don't look for .250-3000 ammo.Look for .250 Savage.If you have an older gun with the 1 in 14 twist the 100 grain bullets will keyhole you should not use heavier bullets than 87 grains.
ATF
Edited by - ATF on 12/06/2002 21:38:150 -
Thanks for all the excellent infor. BTW, according to the serial number, the rifle was mfg in 1915 so it must be the 1-14 twist. It's the take-down model with checkered stock....quite a beauty. It hadn't been fired in over 50 years. 0 -
Craig may be right, but brand new boxes of Super X 100 gr. Silvertips- part X2503 are still out there at $12 to $13.95 at major ammo dealers at shows.
300 Savage also.
Midway has brass seasonally, has some right now. Bullets available everywhere.
I doubt if these cartridges ever die out completely.
IS0
Please sign in to leave a comment.
Comments
5 comments