Savage 99A 250 Savage bbl length: 20" vs 22"

[kaschi]

IIRC, when Savage re-introduced their 99A in the 70s, they started out offering the 250 Savage with a 20" barrel length. A few years later, they changed it to 22". Did the twist rate stay the same or was that also changed? Something tells me the rate twist was changed as well. So, if all this info is correct, which of the two twist rates is best suited for the 250 Savage round? Thanks.

[junkbug]

I had a Savage 1899 in 250 SAV made in the 1920's It had the 1-14"twist that had trouble with any bullet over 100 grains, and was picky even with 100 grainers. Some time later, Savage went to 1-10" twist in that cartridge, I don't know exactly when. That I the twist most modern bolt actions built for that cartridge now use.

[guido4198]

My '99, manuf. in 1941, has the 1:14. Works real well with 75-100 gn. bullets. I've wanted to have a bolt rifle built (LH) for several decades...I even bought a Rem. 700 LH short action in .308 when they first became available, specifically to use for the re-barrel conversion, but never got around to it before my gunsmith died.
Since then, I've come to really like the .308 just like it is.


Oh well. IF I ever get back to that project, it will have a 1:10 bbl. on it for 100-120 gn bullets.

[M. M. Wright]

I had a 99 in 250 that had the 1:14 twist. Super accurate with 87 grain bullets but I would have liked to be able to use 100 grain but got about a 5" group with them. The later 1:10 twist is a much better solution. It allows the use of 117 grain bullets.

[carbluesnake]

Had a 99 made in 1920 with a 1/14 twist. It shot all makes of bullets from 60-100 grains. I shot a 7/8" group with factory Win. 100gr. OPE(open point expanding) ammo. Everything else was usually 1 1/4" at 100 yds.

[pdentrem]

This is the heaviest that the slower twist barrels could stablize as far as I know. The bullets are short for their weight, that is why they will fly straight. My Sav 99 is dated around 1927. This is old stuff is in my locker. Likely also sold under the Winchester label back in the day.

[Hobie]

Twist rate did not change with barrel length on post '72 production...

http://shootingwithhobie.blogspot.com/2 ... -3000.html

[kaschi]

Thanks for the responses. Hobie answered my question about the twist rate within the 70s era production. I knew that at some point in earlier 99 that the twist rate was 1 in 14. I dug out an article from Rifle Magazine # 221 by John Barsness about the Savage 99 in 250 in which he praises the 1 in 10 twist of the 70s era guns. He also mentions that Winchester oddly offered their Model 70 Lightweight with a 1 in 14 twist in the 80s.