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From 2002 through 2006, I tested & chronographed 150 grain loads (Nosler Ballistic Tip bullets) in my EG's 24" barrel using 5 different powders in combination with 5 different primers. My current hunting load is 40.8 grains (.1 of a grain short of the listed maximum load) of H4895 which gives me very consistent muzzle velocities and good accuracy (1-inch or less at 100 yards).

I tested the following powders:
IMR3031, IMR4895, IMR4064, H4895 & Varget.

IMR3031 (40.0 grains-a "max" load) yielded an average MV of 2665 fps and gave good accuracy (.75" @ 100 yds.), but sometimes had a "flyer" or two in a 5 shot group increasing the group size to 1.25-1.5 inches.

IMR4895 (41.5 gr. a "max" load) averaged a MV of 2685 fps, very good accuracy and excellent 3-shot groups (well under 1" at 100 yards). This was my hunting load for several years until the powder changed and velocity went down 85 fps. Then I switched to H4895.

IMR4064 showed high pressure signs at near maximum or maximum loads (2660 fps) and accuracy & MV was only "so-so". The max load of IMR4064 showed some high-pressure signs.

The 40.8 grain load of H4895 behind a 150 grain Nosler Ballistic Tip bullet sparked by a standard Winchester primer in "accurized", once-fired Winchester cases yielded an average muzzle velocity of 2635 fps with a deviation of just 3 fps (+1 fps/-2 fps) and very good accuracy. This is now my "hunting load".

Hodgdon Varget was a complete disappointment yielding only a chronographed 2607 fps and only fair accuracy at maximum book loads (no pressure signs showed at max loads).

Standard Winchester large rifle primers were consistently the most accurate or the 2nd. most accurate primer with all loads and yielded the 2nd. highest MV.

A great deal will depend on YOUR RIFLE... and what it "likes". Matching factory muzzle velocities (150 gr. bullet @ 2630 fps) was easily accomplished or exceeded by all powders except the Varget rifle powder which was listed in the reloading manual as yielding 2700+ fps, but was barely able to get a chronographed 2607 fps out of my rifle.

I hope this helps...


Strength & Honor...

Ron T.

Ron,

What were you using as a MAX load of 4064? Sources vary from 44 to 40 grains with a 150 bullet. I've had good results with it but don't want to pass on the load as these days some sources state that its over max. I'd appreciate your insight.

George

Thanks to all! I will heed your advice and ley you know what I come up with when the weather gets a little warme:-).
thanks again, you all are a great bunch of guys.
Tony

Originally Posted by Skidrow

Ron,

What were you using as a MAX load of 4064? Sources vary from 44 to 40 grains with a 150 bullet. I've had good results with it but don't want to pass on the load as these days some sources state that its over max. I'd appreciate your insight.

George

George... here's my entire notes concerning the tests of various powders and primers. MAX load I used for IMR4064 was 43.0 grains.

.300 SAVAGE TEST RESULTS (6/17/02)
(temps 73� to 75�)
PRIMER TESTS (6/17/02):
40.0 gr. IMR3031 (max. load), 150 gr. Nosler Bal.Tip, 2X-fired Winchester cases

CCI-Bench rest: 2681, 2657, 2657 fps. (Avg. 2667 fps) (2 velocities unknown)

FEDERAL: 2659, 2648, 2652, 2648 & 2661 fps. (Avg. 2654 fps.)
Std. Deviation: 13 fps., (+7 fps., -6 fps.)

REMINGTON: 2618, 2610, 2623, 2603 & 2640 (Avg. 2618 fps.)

WINCHESTER STD: 2646, 2636, 2638, 2648 & 2653 (Avg. 2644 fps.)
Std. Deviation: 17 fps. (+9 fps., -8 fps.)


VELOCITY RESULTS using IMR4064, Rem.9� primer & Win. Cases
41.8 grains gave a 5-shot average of 2598 fps,
42.0 gr. = 2608 fps,
42.2 gr = 2635 fps,
42.4 gr. = 2628 fps,
42.6 gr. = 2623 fps,
42.8 gr. = 2609 fps
43.0 gr. = 2634 fps. (maximum load)

Accuracy was good with most loads printing (at 50 yards) 3-shot groups of 3/8th inch and 4-shot groups of 3/4th inch. However, there was always one �flier�� and occasionally 2 �fliers�.

Note the unusual variation in these loads wherein more powder yields less velocity with all other components remaining the same. Since this is normally unlikely, it is possible the relatively heavy crushing of powder granules during bullet seating may account for this unusual velocity differential.


CONCLUSION-IMR4064 RIFLE POWDER

The last 5 velocities attained in this test, from 42.2 grains to 43.0 grains are questionable. The 43.0 grain load IS definitely a �maximum load� and yields only 2634 fps. It is a heavily compressed load & this may be the reason for the unusual velocity readings. I doubt that IMR4064 is the best powder for my particular M-99 in .300 Savage caliber. Of course, it�s also possible a different primer (Rem. 9� was used) may yield different results.


PRESSURE INDICATIONS: 6/17/02 (74�)

IMR3031- Using 40.0 grains (max. load), loaded 5 rounds using each of the four different primers after short �work up� to that level. All primers showed some flattening with CCI-Bench Rest & Remington primers showing 95%-100% flattening. Winchester std. Large rifle primer showing about 80% flattening and Federal showing some machine marks and about 60% flattening.

IMR4895(loaded in 1999 using powder purchased in 1995)- At 41.5 grains (max. load) using Remington 9� primer and Winchester cases gave the following velocities in the order of 1 through 5 shots- 2728, 2718, 2696, 2702 & 2692 for an average velocity of 2707 fps. Primers were 80% flattened. These rounds were loaded in 1999 for use in the old M-99 w/22� barrel.

IMR4064- Loaded 5 rounds at each load-level starting at 41.8 grains increasing in .2 grain increments to 43.0 grains. The first 2 of 5 rounds @ 43.0 grains using Remington 9� primers had 100% flatten primers. This is definitely a �maximum load� at 2634 fps average velocity. The last 3 rounds flatten 90% , but still had some �rounding� to them. Next lighter loaded rounds (42.8 grains) showed no flatten of primers.

CONCLUSIONS OF 6/17/02 TESTS:
1. Use 3-shot groups ONLY in future testing.
2. New loads should be �worked up� with IMR3031, IMR4895 and IMR4064 powders using only Federal and Winchester primers.
3. Special notice should be paid to the velocity/accuracy of all IMR4895 loads because it is yielding higher than expected velocities while IMR3031 loads are not yielding �published� velocities.
4. The higher velocities yielded by the IMR 4895 may be due to the 24-inch barrel on the new M-99 vs. the 22-inch barrel on the old M-99 and the 22-inch test rifle barrel used by Lyman to get data for their Reloading Handbook.
5. Velocities attained from the use of IMR4064 are inconclusive due to wide variation in velocities while powder amounts differed little.





TESTS CONDUCTED JUNE 24, 2002

Firing tests were done using equal charges of just purchased IMR4895 powder comparing Winchester primers to Federal primers. I expected Federal primers to come out not only being more consistent, but also giving more velocity and better accuracy. This did not happen. The Winchester primers showed very good consistency and the best accuracy, especially at or close to maximum charges.

As fouling shots, I again used 5 of the rounds loaded as hunting loads in 1999 using Remington 9� primers & 150 grain Nosler Ballistic Tip bullet. Again, the 5 rounds consisting of 41.5 grains of IMR4895 (bgt. in 1995) had an average velocity over 2700 fps (2704 fps). I can only conclude the increased velocity must be due to the old powder.

Velocity & accuracy were excellent using Winchester Standard Large Rifle Primers with just purchased IMR4895 with the largest 3 powder charges. These results using 3-shot groups fired at 50 YARDS were:
41.1 grains yielded a group measuring .112-inches @ 2647 fps. Deviation was 13 fps, +6 fps. / -7 fps.

41.3 grains yielded a group measuring .221-inches @ 2660 fps. Deviation (2-shots only) was 4 fps, +3 fps / -1 fps.

41.5 grains yielded a group measuring .191-inches @ 2664 fps. Deviation was 19 fps, +9/ -10 fps. This will be my �hunting load�.

Accuracy was good using the Federal primers for two of the three shots. In most cases, two rounds were either in the same, elongated hole or close to it, but in almost all cases, there was one �flier� that was close to one inch away from the other two shots thus making the group not acceptable. 41.3 grains of IMR4895 and the Federal primers produced a 7/16th inch group (.4375-inches) @ 2665 fps.

The following loads were tested using just purchased IMR4895 powder, Winchester 3X fired cases and Nosler 150 grain Ballistic Tip bullets. All cases trimmed to 1.865 inches. Average range temperature during test = 80� to 85�.
Powder load:
40.3 grs.= 2591 fps (Win.)/2592 fps (Federal)
40.5 grs.= 2587 fps (Win.)/2604 fps (Fed.)
40.7 grs.= 2639 fps (Win.)/2626 fps (Fed.)
40.9 grs.= 2645 fps (Win.)/2628 fps (Fed.)
41.1 grs.= 2647 fps (Win.)/2638 fps (Fed.)
41.3 grs.= 2660 fps (Win.)/2665 fps (Fed.)
41.5 grs.= 2664 fps (Win.)/2673 fps (Fed.)


CONCLUSION: A load of 41.5 grains of IMR4895 (purchased 6/02), a Winchester Standard Large Rifle Primer, Winchester brass and a Nosler 150 grain Ballistic Tip boat-tailed bullet seated to maximum overall length gives the best accuracy & close to the highest velocity in my Savage Model 99 rifle with its 24-inch barrel. This is a high-pressure load that is shown as a �maximum load� in my XXXXX Reloading Manual, but this load is not dangerously high. However, this is a �max load� using the IMR4895 purchased in June of 2002, in my opinion.

From my tests, it seems likely that my particular Model 99 Savage rifle is unusually accurate with almost any �load�. At no time was accuracy less than �very good� with any of the loads that were fired in it.

On a later date (than June 24th) during the Summer or early Autumn of 2002, I loaded 50 rounds using IMR3031 powder, a 150 grain Sierra soft point bullet, Winchester primers & cases just for �fun shooting�. I used a powder load of 38.0 grains of IMR3031� half way between the �starting� load (36.0 grains) and �maximum� load (40.0 grains) of IMR3031. This load was quite accurate, but I didn�t chronograph it. I would guess the muzzle velocity was in the 2550-2575 fps range.


MAY 28, 2003 � TEST OF HODGDON�S VARGET RIFLE POWDER

I loaded Varget powder in amounts ranging from 40.4 to 42.2 grains (.2 grain over �maximum suggested load�) of Varget using 5X fired, accurized Winchester cases, Winchester standard large rifle primers and a 150 grain Nosler Ballistic Tip, boat-tailed bullets.

According to the latest (2002) XXXXX Reloading Handbook I read at Olde English Gun Shop, a maximum load of 42.0 grains of Varget with a 150 grain Nosler Ballistic Tip Bullet was chronographed by XXXXX ballisticians at 2740 fps. In my tests, I could come no where near that velocity chronographing the rounds with my chronograph.

As a �control�, after I finished chronographing all the Varget loads, I fired and chronographed a 3-shot �control� group using my �back-up� hunting loads of 41.5 grains of IMR4895 w/ a 150 grain Nosler B.T. and Winchester standard large rifle primers which yielded an average muzzle velocity of 2686 fps. This MV is slightly higher than my previous average MV of 2675 fps.


The following are the average muzzle velocities attained by the amount of Varget Rifle Powder shown. This test was done on 5/28/03, temperature 70� at the rifle range at Troy Fish & Game Club.

40.4 grs. = 2514 fps average MV.
40.6 grs. = 2525 fps avg.
40.8 grs. = 2546 fps avg.
41.0 grs. = 2539 fps avg.
41.2 grs. = 2523 fps avg.
41.4 grs. = 2576 fps avg.
41.6 grs. = 2590 fps avg.
41.8 grs. = 2606 fps avg.
42.0 grs. = 2615 fps avg. (MAXIMUM Published load)
42.2 grs. = 2621 fps avg.

Control load: 41.5 gr. IMR4895 =
2671, 2698, 2684 fps = 2686 avg. fps.




CONCLUSION: Varget Rifle Powder

Varget is not particularly more accurate than any other powder I�ve tried in my Savage Model 99EG Rifle and it was a complete disappointment in that it was unable to attain the muzzle velocity (2740 fps-24� barrel) published in the 2002 XXXXX Reloading Handbook with the published maximum load (42.0 grains), reaching only an average muzzle velocity of 2615 fps� well below the 2740 fps indicated in the 2002 XXXXX Reloading Handbook.

After thorough tests of primers and different amounts of different rifle powders, I have concluded that a load of 41.5 grains (max. book load) of IMR4895 behind a 150 grain Nosler Ballistic Tip, boat-tailed bullet, using a Winchester standard large rifle primer and �accurized� Winchester cartridge cases is the best all-around hunting load for my Savage Model 99EG Rifle. It�s accuracy combined with it�s muzzle velocity assures more than enough knock-down power within reasonable ranges.

I set up the rifle�s scope (3x-9x Bushnell with built-in Bullet Drop Compensator) to be �dead on� at 100 yards when the scope�s Bullet Drop Compensator is set for 100 yards. This setting is also valid for a maximum hunting/shooting range of 250 yards with the scope set on a 200 yard �zero�. At this setting, the height of the bullet never deviates above or below 3� inches from the line-of-sight.

END OF NOTES

I noted that as the years passed, the average muzzle velocity of the IMR4895 powder kept dropping. The average muzzle velocity of the IMR4895 purchased in 1995 was 2704 fps.

The average MV of IMR4895 powder purchased in 2002 was down to 2685 fps. Eventually, the average MV of IMR4895 powder purchased in (I believe) 2006 was down to 2547 fps (at 35�F) while the "control" ammo which was some of my hunting loads made with powder purchased in 2002 (MV= 2686 fps @ 85�) which I fired at the same time was 2630 fps.

This continuing drop in MV while using each can of newer IMR4895 caused me to search for a new powder for my hunting loads. Thus, I went to H4895 and the MV maintained a steady 2635 fps. The Hodgdon H4895 is supposedly NOT "temperature sensitive".

I hope this helps...


Strength & Honor...

Ron T.

Interesting. My best accuracy has been with the 42-grain Varget load with a Sierra 150-gr spitzer and WLR primer. The rifle is a 1956 99R. Five-shot groups are 3/4" at 100 yards. Velocity chronographs at 2710 at 15 feet. Rifles are individualistic.

Dan

I have used 4064 in three rifles chambered in .300. A 99, M40, and M20, and while that is not a sufficient sampling to generate an across-the-board conclusion, I found 40 grains under a variety of 150 grain bullets to be my personal max. Lots of case stretch, flattened primers, and sticky bolt lift with higher charges led me to that conclusion. Now I stick to loads of 38 grains and life is good- excellent case life and excellent accuracy. I realize that velocities aren't up there, but so what- as they say, a deer won't tell the difference of a couple hundred feet per second.

Wow 2710, that's cranking with 42 grains of Varget. I had rifles run that load at only 2550 with a CCI BR primer and 150 Hornady bullet! You must have a tight one! Maybe I need to go up a grain or two...........

Another over-looked powder in the .300 Savage is H-335. There is not a lot of data for it but it sure gave good velocity for me in a Remington Model 722 with a 24-inch barrel.

TAG.

I'm late to this topic, but I will chime in anyway. I use the loads from Ken Waters in his Pet Loads. For 150 grainers, I like either 40 grains of IMR 4064 or 42 grains of WW-748. Both give velocities over 2,500 fps, good accuracy, and good brass life. I have never shot 165s, so can't comment. I like 180 grain round nose bullets in the 300 Savage. I load 40 grains of WW-748 for a load that duplicates factory ammo. I can go higher to 41 grains in my rifles. In my 1937 99EG that load gives me 2,450 fps and isn't too hot. In my 99E with 20" carbine barrel velocities are a bit slower.

I have messed around with Leverevolution powder some trying to get 2,700 fps with a 150 grain bullet. I haven't gotten there yet, and accuracy isn't very good.

Its not listed in your powder list but i use Varget in most of my 99’s. In the 300’s i use 43gr with the Sierra 150gr spitzers. Works great in my T’s, F’s, EG’s. Joe

Varget is a great powder. I've been using it in several rifles of late.

+1 on Mr. Waters.

Ha Ha. Yeah, like EIGHT YEARS late.

I could care less how old a post might be. I still found this an interesting read!

My go to load has been 40 grains of 4064 with 150 grain Noslers.

I am experimenting with 160 HDY FTX's and 43.7 grains of HDY Lever Evolution powder. So far so good. I'll see how the bullet performs on deer this season and make up my mind on it then.

Its been a while since I've had the reloading press out but you can't go wrong with 4064, or for that matter 4895. Reloader 15 isn't too bad too. Seems to me I once read that Reloader 15 was designed to mimic 4064 or 4895 in something that metered better than the IMR stick powders.

Yup! Reloder 15 is great for both the .300 and .250 Sav.

My favorite is a 150 grain Sierra Pro Hunter on top of 41 grains of Reloder 15. Win case and primer. Very Accurate and deadly on Michigan Whitetail deer. Shoot MOA groups.

44 grains of Reloder 15 under 165 grain bullets sounds too hot for a lever gun. Ok in a strong bolt action. My notes from load development suggested that 43 grains of Reloder 15 was all my 1955 99F could handle. Hard extraction, flattened primers and
stiff recoil. 41 grains gave excellent accuracy and did not over stress the action. Killed deer out to 180 yards with complete pass through on broadside shots and frontal chest shots the bullet ends up under the hide on the hind quarter. Who could ask for more..