Home Forums Lever Action Central Lever Actions - General .300 Savage performance on deer. What's been your experience?

What's your experience with the .300 Savage as a deer getter? With std. factory ammo, i.e. .300 / 150 gr. and 7mm-08 / 140 gr., and excluding ballistics, do they perform simular on deer in terms of stopping power, drop in their tracks kills vs. run aways after being hit, meat damage etc.
The reason I'm asking is that I got the "99 craze" while browsing the Savage forum and NEED to get one. I really want a .358 but looks like it might be a while before that happens, given their lack of availability. So I figured it would be much easier to pick up a .300 first and take my time until a .358 deal presents itself. Over the years I've used the '06, .308, .35 rem., and most recently the 7mm-08 for the majority of my whitetail hunting. I realize the .300 is a time honored, proven whitetail round, but have no first hand experience w/ the it. I'm guessing the .300 would perform simular to the 7mm-08, '06 & .308 on deer. Can anybody give me some input on this? Figured I'd post on this forum seeing that there are a few 99 buff's here. Thanks for any input you might have. Safe shooting. YB

yankee, i had one for years and regret letting it go, the 300 works very well on deer/bear/and hogs with the 150, one of my buddies refers to it as the 308 lite,if you handload the only problem is the short neck can be a problem some times

Further info stolen from the Chuck Hawks site:

The .300 Savage was developed in 1921 as a short action version of the .30-06. At that time the '06 fired a 150 grainer at about 2670 fps. Although the '06 now gets that 150 grain pill up to 2900 fps (due to a larger case capacity and better powders), the .300 Savage is still an excellent round.

The 150 grain load will jolt you with about 14.8 ft. lbs. of recoil energy in a 7.5 pound rifle. In the same weight rifle the 180 grain load delivers about 15.2 ft. lbs. of recoil energy. This is enough to be noticeable, but most shooters will not find it as punishing as cartridges in the .270/.30-06 class.

Zero the 150 grain bullet to strike 2.8 inches high at 100 yards and it will be about 3 inches high at 125 yards, 1.2 inches high at 200 yards, and 3" inches low at 259 yards. This makes the .300 Savage a 260+ yard deer cartridge. With the 180 grain bullet zeroed at 200 yards the .300 Savage is a satisfactory elk cartridge, and the bullet rise at 100 yards is about 3.2 inches.

The .300 is widely considered by experts to be THE ideal deer cartridge and an excellent all-around cartridge. A savage 99 chambered in .300 Savage is arguably the ideal deer rifle, PERIOD.

BMT

The most spectacular one shot kill I ever made on a deer was with my Model 99 EG in .300 Savage caliber. This was with open sights at about 75 yards. The deer simply collapsed without any movement. The Model 99s reek with character and I really like them. I'm going to load some .30-06 cartridges down to the .300 Savage level for deer hunting this year with my old Model 70 Winchester. Thanks...

as far as the 300 savage performance:

my friend I went hunting with 2 seasons ago killed a really nice 10 point with one shot using his 300 savage. Deer didn't go far, 10 yards or so. that is all the experience I have with it, based on what i saw I'd use it!

Lonerider is his handle he drops by every now and then.

My Dad (age 81) and all his buddies hunted across Wyoming with their 300 Savage rifles. Dad has killed more elk than I ever will and none of them got away when a well placed 180 softnose struck.

For antelope the 125 gr Sierra makes for a flat shootin' load with quick expansion, too.
Buck

Bill.....

I've seen your posts in the Savage Collector's forum... and I figured that you'd "caught the bug" for a Model 99. While the .358 Winchester is a great black bear, elk and moose cartridge, the .300 Savage is a flatter-shooting 250 yard deer cartridge.

At reasonable ranges (under 150 yards), the .300 would do a fine job on black bear, elk and moose as well. However, I'd prefer a more powerful cartridge for "big bears" (aka "Grizzly, Kodiak and Polar bear"). In fact, I have a Model 70 Winchester in .338 Win. Mag. for the "meaner" stuff that I bought as a new rifle in 1959.

I hunt whitetails with a Model 99 (EG) Savage in .300 Savage caliber... and I don't feel at all "under-gunned" or at any "disadvantage"... and let's face it, the Model 99 Savage rifle is one of, if not "THE", best looking center fire rifles in existence!

The .300 Savage cartridge in a Model 99 Savage rifle is an excellent 250 yard deer rifle/cartridge combination and, frankly, most hunters shouldn't shoot at deer beyond 250 yards (if THAT!) anyway. Given that most eastern whitetails are shot at 80 yards or less, it's a moot point in any event.

The .300 Savage cartridge is only very slightly less powerful than the much acclaimed .308 Winchester (7.62 NATO) round... and the .300 Savage is "THE" original "short-action" .30 caliber cartridge (circa 1920).

The old wive's tale about the .300 Savage being "difficult" to reload is just THAT... an "old wive's tale". I've reloaded MANY HUNDREDS, if not "THOUSANDS" of .300 Savage cartridges and I haven't found them any more "difficult to reload" than any other center-fire rifle for which I reload... such as the .222 Remington or the .338 Winchester magnum.

The only "negative" thing I've ever noticed about reloading the .300 Savage cartridge is that if "maximum loads" are fired in a case that has just been trimmed back to "minimum" length (1.865"), the fired case usually is up to maximum limits (1.871") are longer and needs to be trimmed again before reloading due to case stretching. With standard loads (avg. vel. = 2550 fps), the cases stretch very little, if any.

However, perhaps the BEST part of it all is the act of hunting with a "classic rifle" in a "classic caliber"... and you're still NOT at any real disadvantage because the .300 Savage is considered by many to be "THE" perfect whitetail deer cartridge due to it's velocity and how well modern bullets work at .300 Savage velocities.

My hunting handloads have a muzzle velocity that averages 2675 fps using a 150 grain Nosler Ballistic Tip, boat-tailed bullet. I use a max. load of 41.5 grains IMR4895 in Winchester cases using Winchester standard large rifle primers. This load averages .6 inch to .7 inch 3-shot groups at 100 yards. My best group using this load was .191 inches. If you handload, you should �work up� to my load� don�t start out there. This load may NOT be safe in your rifle.

The best accuracy I�ve ever achieved was a .112-inch 3-shot group using 41.1 grains of IMR4895 at a M.V. of 2647 fps with a standard deviation of just 13 fps (+6 fps/-7 fps). I also tested IMR3031, IMR4064 and Hodgdon�s Varget rifle powder together with CCI, Remington, Federal and Winchester primers. IMR4895 with Winchester primers turned in the best accuracy and highest velocity of any of the powders and primers tested.

While 3-shot groups of .112-inch is unusually small for any hunting rifle, regardless of the type of action, I believe you'll find the Savage Model 99 in .300 Savage caliber to be an unusually accurate rifle, especially for a lever action rifle. I've seen many accounts of Model 99 owners who normally shoot 3-shot groups of one inch or less with the .300 Savage.

I'd "sniff" around at your local gunshops and at gunshows for a Model 99. I would not pay the inflated prices they're asking on the net. You should be able to find a Model 99 in decent condition for $350-$400... and if you get lucky, you might find a "Gun Rack Queen" that has been used very little for $425-$550... as long as they don't know you're "panting" for the rifle.

The Model 99 Savage rifles are fast becoming "THE" American icon of rifles... a true American "classic", so they're NOT going to get any less expensive. I suggest you move forward with "reasonable" haste, but not with too much haste lest you over-pay for the rifle.

Good Luck!!! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Strength & Honor...

Ron T.

WOW, thanks for all the helpful input guy's! RonT, thanks especially for your long, informative reply. Well, the search is on, but I'm TRYING not to be too hasty in my efforts. I'll try to maintain a reasonable amount of restraint, now, if I can only stop drooling every time I see a 99 <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />. Thanks again, All. YB

I have been playing with a 99/.300 for about three years now. I've yet to take game with it, but I'm convinced that ballistic perfection for the purpose of taking deer sized game is within the realm of this cartridge. I've read and heard so much pro and con about bigger and smaller cartridges and am convinced that a 150 grain .30 caliber bullet at between 2600 and 2700 FPS is as close to perfection as can be had in a "deer rifle". I am currently toying with Sierra's 150 grain RN pro hunter bullet. I have been assured by one of the Sierra techs that this bullet represents one of the best if not THE best performing bullet for .300 Savage speeds that they offer. Accuracy is decent for 100 yards with the first loads tried; and if my 200 yard groups hang in there reasonably well I'll try to fine tune my velocity to between 2650 and 2700 FPS. Of course I've tried Hornady's fine 150 spire point in both flat base and boat tail with promising results; and I intend to do more experiments there at some point after I get a RN Sierra load tuned to my liking. I need to spend more time at the range.....AW

Dear Yankee Bill,

Here in Virginia, our whitetails are numerous, but not terribly large. My wife uses a Remington 700 BDL (small run, early 1990's) in .300 Savage for all of her deer hunting. She has had wonderful results with 150 grain factory ammo. I used my trusty Model 99 EG in .300 Savage on a black bear hunt; I preferred the 180 grain Federal factory load for that purpose, but carry 150-grainers when after deer.

With all the posters who have spoken highly of the .300 Savage's capabilities, I most firmly agree. The .300 Savage is a "sleeper" cartridge, very much underappreciated today. I believe that its combination of low recoil and very effective terminal ballistics (at its usual velocities) make it an ideal deer rifle. Nor with a scoped rifle is it a short range proposition.

My experience is that the .300 Savage and the .30-40 are essentially identical in effect on game, with bullets of equal weight, although the 30-40 handles heavy bullets (200 & 220 grainers) a bit better (again, in my experience; others' results & opinions may differ). The big bullets are for heavier game than deer, however.

Good shooting to you!

Redcoat

i use a .300 savage equivalent load in my sporterized mn-44 carbines: 150-grain .311 caliber speer flat base spire point at about 2,600 fps. this is a superb deer killer. i would assume that the .308 speer spire point is its terminal performance twin. i do like speer, remington core-lokt and hornady bullets at medium velocities on whitetail.

Thanks for the continuing replies to my post, guy's. I guess I forgot to post that I picked up a .300 99 EG last week. Nice shooter gun about 85% wood and metal. Haven't got to shoot her yet as I've been doing some scope hunting for the gun. Any suggestions? I hunt heavy timber and brush w/ the occasional 200 + yd. shot every now and then. I was thinking of a Leupold Vari-x III 1.75 - 6E, or a 2-7 compact. YB

You might want to consider a period Weaver K3 - they are tough scopes, with good optics and the 3 power has excellent field of view, along with plenty of magnification for that 200 yard shot. They show up on E-bay quite often, usually in the $45-$65 range.

Gary

I second Gary's suggestion. You can pick up a good used El Paso Weaver K3 or K2.5 and then send it off to be rebuilt by Weaver Scope Repair Service for about half or less what the Leupold will run you. They look right on a 99 and while the optics may not be up the the latest Leupold standard they are plenty good for a 200 yard shot and the low power gives a good field of view close up. If you pick up a series 60B or newer you can have the reticle changed to a Dual X when they rebuild it. The rebuild costs around $60. I'm having one done now.

Thanks for the input on the scopes guy's. I've kicked the weaver idea around a bit also, but I'm not as concerned about the price or the period thing as I am with quality optical performance. I'll be using this 99 strictly as a shooter for deer hunting. Now I've been eyeballing the Vari-x III 1.5 - 5x, it's a nice small package a little over 9" long and weighs about 9.5 oz. That magnification range is about perfect for my style of hunting.Thanks again, YB.

Leupold VX-III is always an excellent choice. BMT

Bill,

Our own Mule Deer did a good article not too long ago that touched on loading the .300 Savage:

http://www.riflemagazine.com/magazine/article.cfm?tocid=864&id=65

I can vouch for RL-15 as a recommended propellant; it gave incredibly consistent velocities once I got within 1 or 1.5 gr. of maximum, and 1.6" groups right off the bat with 165-gr. Hornadys. Will probably just use those or 165-gr. Partitions for everything, depending on how tough the critter might be. (If it's too tough for a 165-gr. Partition at 2600 fps, I'd probably be thinking about going to the .338.)

John

YankeeBill:

I'm mellowing so I didn't add the obligatory Damm to it. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

However, I will be the first to admit that I am one of the very small minority who is not fond of the 1.5x5 Leupold, and I have a couple of them. I think its low light performance is poor and for the money there are better choices in fixed powers or variables IMO. I would choose a 4x Leupold, 6x36 or 6x42 over the 1.5x5 in a heartbeat. I also think the 2x7 Leupie is a much better scope for most uses than the 1.5x5. I like the Elites very much for the money as well. Just bought a 2x7 Elite (as well as a fixed 10x and a firefly 3x9) but haven't tried it out yet. Just food for thought. 99% of the time, any of the above, including the 1.5x5 will work perfectly, we are thinking of choices for the worst conditions that we might meet.

My wife shoots a '38 M99 with a '50s Weaver K-4. I don't think she would ever get rid of that rifle. It's been cut down to fit her, both the stock and barrel. It has been parkerized and Mag-n-ported.

She kills deer, turkey, javelina and feral hogs with it every year. I do the reloading for it. Lee Pacesetter dies and Factory Crimp die. I used W748 and Hornady 150-grain SPBTs. She has developed an interest in reloading so I thought I would start her with the basics. I found an original Lee Loader on eBay and got it. Will move her to the bench down the road.

Ex-bro in law has hunted with his old M760 Rem. in 300 Savage for over 40 years and has killed a mess of deer with it. Years ago he was lamenting to me that he'd let his dad talk him into the 300 Sav. instead of the 30-06 that he really wanted.
Asked him once how many of the deer he'd killed with the 300 would've been any deader if shot with the 30-06. Last time I talked with him about it, the answer was still zero. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Had a chance to pick up an old M99 in 300 Sav. several years ago, from an old boy who was selling off his rifle stash. Plain-jane model with the rotary magazine in fairly good condition, for $250.
Coulda, shoulda, woulda. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />