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

I've got 2 bolt actions in .300 Sav, and love 'em to death. Whilst skipping through Adams, MA last week, I threw down my credit card for a like-chambered 99 that was just too pretty.

In the bolt guns, I'm running 43.5 and 43.7 grains of H4895 under the 130TTSX. I've also get great groups with 43.5 grains of R15 behind a 150 Hornday SP, and 42.0 grains of R15 with the 165 BTSP.

Are these loads too hot for the 99? Or, are they good to go?

Thanks,

FC

I've used 44 grains of RL 15 behind a 165 grain Hornady Interlock in my 99 with no issues. I'm going to move back to 150 grain bullets though since the rifle seems to shoot them more accurately.

Those loads seem reasonable to try. But I'd pay attention to the effort needed on the lever. If extraction is at all difficult, best back off. Also, Savage 99 stocks tend to develop splits behind the top tang. Recoil, of course, exacerbates this problem. It's a shame to subject sound 99s to punishment that develops splits -- or make cracks worse where they've occurred. .... wvz

Your H4895 load for the 130 grain TTSX looks like it would be close to the maximum recommended. I'd back off 10% on your current loads and start there or start fresh with the powder manufacturer's recommended starting loads and work up from there.

You're unlikely to get as much case life in the Savage 99 action, so I recommend starting with a block of new cases that you only use for that rifle. The Savage 99 action doesn't handle escaping gas particularly well, so it is among the last actions that I'd want to risk a blown primer or separated case in. If you decide to push pressures, you'll want to invest in a quality pair of shooting glasses.

Hodgdon lists 43.0 grains of H4895 as maximum for the 130-grain Hornady spitzer, and Hodgdon's data not only conforms to SAAMI maximums (which in the .300 Savage means they're safe for the 99), but tends to be conservative.

A long-time tech at another ballistic lab told me not too long ago that lighter-weight Barnes TSX's tend to create less pressure than any other bullet, due to the smaller number of driving bands.

Between those two pieces of info I'd say your load should be safe in the 99, but all rifles are individuals.

I've been loading the 130gr TTSX in the 300 Savage since they had RED tips.

I use 43grs of H4895 with that bullet in my 99's and 44.5grs of H4895 in my Remington 700

Thanks for the ideas, all.

I just noticed I've but a single 150 grain bullet left, but 3 boxes of 165's and 2.89411 (or so) boxes of 130's. I'll see which of those it prefers.

With some new Hornady brass on the way, and H4895, Varget, and R15 on the shelf, I oughta be good to go.

I'll try to update as the process unfolds.

FC

FC---Are you getting that 300 Savage ready for this year's hog hunt? U missed last year. Bob

Looking back through my data, I've used from 39.5 grs 0f H4895 to 43 gr behind 130 TTSX. 39.5 = a bit over 2600 fps, 40 gr a tad more, 41 gr - 2727, 43 gr - 2867.

I'll probably go back down to 39.5 or so when I load more for this caliber in my 99. I've used the 130 Barnes now to kill deer with the 99, deer and hogs in a .300 Win Mag, and deer with a .30-06. I like that bullet!

Mike

Oh, it'll very likely end up on a Hog hunt in GA at the end of September. We'll have to see what rifles earn a ride-along to future 24HCF events.

The plan is to stick with the iron sights. As such, it may take me years to bloody the damned thing.

FC

I'm pretty sure a 300 Savage with a 130gr TTSX will kill a hog.

Nice cutters on that one!

I've used the 130 TTSX on hogs out of a 722 and a 700 classic - dropped 'em all like a Kardashian girl's drawers.

I'm convinced it's also responsible for bringing them in within 30 yards every time! So, with that bullet, iron sights will be plenty good enough.

FC

I believe Sierra's max with 150gr bullets is 42gr RL15. Works well in a friend's older 99. I load 44gr with the 150 Sierra in my 700 Classic and it works very well.

Thanks for all the replies.

I gave it a go this afternoon. The rifle told me it's good enough at 42.5g H4895 with the 130 TTSX, clocking 2,839 fps on this 90 degree day. I may try some batches at .2 and .4 grains less, and see there's anything to be gained.

The 165's found their mark at 40,5 grains of R15 for 2,482 fps. 41.0 grains gained only 10 fps, but the rifle bucked & snorted, the barrel got noticeably hotter, and the bolt got sticky. I may likewise work down a few tenths, and see what happens.

I was fairly surprised to shoot minute o' deer/hog groups with those sights, these eyes, and the crappy targets I concocted. All groups were 2-3" left, so I may need to drift the blade a bit.

This rifle seems to have potential. It's definitely lotsa fun.

FC

Great info. I'd really like to try that 130 in my Grandpas old 300. H4895 is right up my alley.

I can share what I have found for a really pristine 300 / 99: 41 gr of Varget and a 150 gr boat tail will print three shot groups under 1/2" when I can hold it really right [heavy trigger pull]. This gives 2560 fps, and I would consider it a not-to-exceed speed. The ES is single digits.
If you can chrono your load, might give this a shot. I absolutely would not try to equal bolt speeds, as the way the 99 locks up, it will doubtless loosen it up. Am expecting to work up some 2520, H4895, and RL15 loads for the sake of having alternate powders available, but don't plan on exceeding this speed with 150's, and don't plan on exceeding the case head expansion I get with the Varget load. 125 Sierras are also on the menu. Rumor is they shoot lights out in 300's. Enjoy the hunt!

I've found the factory 150 grain Remington CoreLocts shoot as well as anything I've been able to handload thus far.

Looks like the rifle has settled on 42.1 grains of H4895 behind the 130 TTSX. I got 2,780 fps, and a 1 1/2" group. Three of the four did happen to go into 3/4", which didn't make me feel any worse... I should be all kinds of fine on about any quadriped out to 250 yards.

A few tweaks on the sights, and she'll be field ready.

FC

My favorite load is 41 grains of Reloder 15 behind a Sierra 150 grain Pro Hunter. Very accurate and deadly on deer. Side shots completely pass through, frontal shots bullet travels the length of the deer and winds up in the hind quarter under the hide. Who could ask for more.

4895, 4064 and 3031 have all been good in the .300 Sav for me. Most of the issues have been covered. Stick with medium published loads as max. There is no need to hot rod the 99.