Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Ask The Gunwriters How Far To Back-Off .300 Sav Loads for a 99?

The SAAMI maximum average pressure for .300 Savage ammo, which all modern handloading data is based on, is only 47,000 PSI. The .30-30 isn't far behind at 42,000, and the .308 Winchester's (which was also chambered in the 99) is 62,000. There's no reason not to use the maximum listed loads, because they do not "hot rod" the 99. They were designed for it.

Don't you love the versatility of the 308?

While you are absolutely correct, I based my answer on my experience with split tangs and some stretched cases on my various 99 TD. I have 5 in .300 and 4-5 more in .250. Obviously all pre War. I settled on that opinion- along with using a RCBS SB due set, and my issues. I pass that along. As always, YMMV.

Point is I see no reason to see what the highest velo I can squeeze out of my 99s with any given powder or bullet combo. I look for a good group and easy extraction. 👍

Whatever makes you feel good. I've owned a bunch of 99's in .300 as well as in other chamberings, mostly pre-war, including a number of take-downs in .22 HP, .250, .303 and .300. The stock cracks aren't normally due to "hot" loads but the simple geometry of the tang/action, and grabbing the buttstock instead of the action when taking them down and putting them back together again. I never experienced hard extraction with any pressure-tested .300 Savage loads in my 99's, as long as I stayed with the bullet the data was developed with.

John would your advice re: max loads - also hold for a 99 in .243?

The .243's SAAMI maximum average pressure is 61,000, quite a bit higher than the .250-3000 and .300 Savages. There's usually no problem with factory loads, but often max level handloads will prove a little sticky in some 99's, and tend to stretch cases, so need to be backed off a little.

Thank you, John - that is what I thought, have been doing, and will continue to do.

FC, I bet that single 150g bullet will shoot one hell of a tight group.

Charlie

Probably the best I'll ever shoot!

The 130 TTSX seems to be my huckleberry in that rifle. I'll check F210's vs CCI200's, just for giggles. Then I'll see if it's still a hog-worthy bullet in 7 weeks or so.

FC

Don't overlook .30 bullets intended for the .30-30 either, especially when loading the .300 Savage (or any other .30) way down. A 170 flat nose makes for a deadly woods cartridge when loaded to 2400fps or less, and have always proved to be very accurate in my .300's..

I have had great luck with the 160 FTX. Cannelured for the marlin 308 express fits perfectly.

How Far To Back-Off .300 Sav Loads for a 99?

None.

...Unless you seek milder pleasant shooting loads that is. I recently disposed of a M1920 Savage bolt gun that was a miserable nasty SOB to shoot with full loads (but that wasn't the reason I sold it). I routinely cut loads by around 25% just to endure a range session with it. Lightweight little Savage 99 carbines are no treat either.

OK, thanks to some help from Rocky, I think I can finally do the pics. Here's the rifle:





And here's the group that settled the load work-up:





And here's my finger pointing to the first 2 shots after I whacked on the rear sight some to get the windage corrected.






So I think I'm good to go for hogs 1 month hence. I hope to have some pics from that endeavor, too.

FC

Love the rifle! If I could only have one rifle it would be a Savage 99 in .300. Since I can have more than one rifle I'm plotting another 99 in .308.

Sounds like Pete's gun shop in North Adams. Nice people, and they usually have some interesting stuff. I've bought a Marlin 56 and a nice Sheridan Blue Streak (which has a very nice piece of walnut , unusual in an air gun ) there.
I also found a nice takedown Savage 99 with Lyman sights in 300 Sav when I moved to the Berkshires in western Massachusetts . They seem to be fairly common in this area.