Well......one project down with fixing the tang crack on my 99F stock. Now I am thinking about bedding the action & forearm. So this brings me to my next question. What methods & approaches have you guys found that work best with 99s? How much has it increased accuracy or consistency?

Go shot it first. It's a hunting rifle. If it's broke fix it, if not then leave it as is. I don't think you want to bed the forearm.

I agree with Rick...

Bedding the barrel of a rifle with a separate forearm and butt-stock doesn't make much sense since the receiver lays between the two SEPARATE pieces of wood and the forearm is attached TO the barrel rather than having the barrel resting (and therefore "bed-able") IN the forearm of a one-piece stock such as you find on bolt-action rifles.

I doubt that you'd get ANY benefit from "bedding" the forearm to the barrel.

If your Model 99 is typical, you should be able to get 3-shot groups that hover around that magical "one minute of angle" (1 inch @ 100 yards) from your rifle using a rifle rest and sand bags under the forearm and under the toe of the stock on a solid bench-rest.

Of course, this assumes you have a good scope and can SEE the bullseye reasonably well at 100 yards. I've found that I can see well enough with my "99's" 3x-9x by 40mm variable scope set on "9x" to average �-inch, 3-shot groups @ 100 yards off "the bench" using my .300 Savage hand-loads.

With a target scope or my varmint rifle's 6x-24x by 50mm scope on the 99, I'm sure I could do somewhat better, but any big game rifle that can average �-inch groups @ 100 yards is more than "good enough" in the accuracy department. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

I noticed you live in Wexford, Pennsylvania... I take the next exit (Valencia) 'past the Wexford exit on I-79 North every time I go over to my hunting buddy's home (just off Rt.228 a few miles east of Mars, PA)... I wonder if both of you might be members (and know each other) of that shooting club that lays just south of Rt.228 about half way between the two of you?

My hunting buddy has a cozy cabin up in the Moshannon State Forest (about 20 miles N.E. of DuBois, PA.) between Parker Dam and S.B. Elliott State Park where we get together for our annual deer camp.


Strength & Honor...

Ron T.

I've never heard that bedding a 99 did anything for accuracy and certainly not the forearm. This is a 2 piece stock - think about it.

The forearm should be floated off the recever and held snugly to the barrel by the forearm screw. What's to bed on the butt stock without dicking up the action real good??

I will put some thought into bedding. I have read about different procedures for bedding both the butt stock & forearm. My rifle was already very accurate...sub MOA so I am not sure what it could add to that. But I am sure it would keep things more stable.

I'd still like to hear how people bed 99s. In Mule Deers (John Barsness) Rifle magazine article he mentions bedding but does not get into specifics on that topic. Maybe if he sees this he could give us his thoughts?

Ron-T

I am a memeber at the Sportsmens club you mentioned. It is NSSA (North Side Sportsmans Assoc. ) I love the range there....both archery & rifle. It is one of the few ranges in our area where you can shoot at 300 yards...actually 300 meters because they use it for competition. I will be taking out my 99F in a week or so to see how it shoots after my repairs. HAve you used the range at the club? Very nice place.

I have hunted near the area you hunt with your buddy. Nice place. I usually travel North to hunt when it is bear season. Deer season I spend in Allegheny, Butler, Beaver, Lawrence & Venango Counties for the most part. Good luck this season! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

I have the book "Accurizing the Factory Rifle" by Mic McPherson and he goes into detail about bedding the forearm. Basically he pillar beds it and carefully beds the barrel channel and rear of forearm with Silicone RTV to hold things in place but be soft enough not to shift impact. It appears to make sense but I haven't tried it. I did have the gunsmith bed the forearm of my EG because it was loose even with the screw tight. I am going out to the range right now to try it. Good luck!!

WJU...

Yes, I've shot my rifle at your club's range on a few occasions... it's a very nice range.

I checked out last year's Pennsylvania Game Commission's report on how well Dr. Gary Olt's "Program" is coming... and it looks like the deer population took another "plunge" again last year with smaller "yields" of both buck and doe deer.

While I'm in favor of Dr. Olt's "solution" to the lack of big (spell that "o-l-d-e-r") buck deer in Pennsylvania, I have to admit that I haven't seen a "live" deer (buck OR doe) during the past 2 Deer Seasons in PA's Moshannon State Forest. whereas I use to see several deer EACH day in previous years.

But since I go to deer camp MOSTLY for the "camaraderie" rather than the venison, I still very much enjoy getting out in the woods for a week with my sons and my close friends... especially since my eldest son gave me a neat little light-weight ground blind (similar to a "pop-up" tent) that erects quickly and tends to keep the wind off me while I'm "on stand". <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Good luck this year... and keep yourself safe. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />


Strength & Honor...

Ron T.

My smith does a skim coat of acra-glas on the butt stock to get a perfect fit to the action, and floats the fore-end form the receiver and barrel. He then glasses the barrel mortise in the fore-end. So tuned , my brother's 99C will keep three shots under 3/4" @ 100yds consistently.

Lots of good view points. I'd still like to hear more ideas if anyone has them.

Here is another method that I picked up a while back on Accurate Reloading. It is a method used by Ray Atkison. I hope he does not mind me sharring it here. HAs anyone tried this method? Any comments pro or con?

I think your attitude about the camaraderie is spot on. It is a big reason why I love our rifle season. It is a great time to spend afield with true friends. I also have been in favor of Alts programs & have seen the rewards. More hunting opportunities and much bigger bucks. But the hunting is harder........but if you look you will find them eventually <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> We still have LOTS of deer in this state.

Good luck with that blind. I used one with my daughter last fall. She took a real nice doe.................using a ...........SSSSHHHHHHHHHH, don't tell anyone........Ruger Number 1B 25-06 <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" />LOL <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />. But I will let her use my 99F this year <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

How well did it shoot before it got 'tuned'

You get her hooked on 99's and you'll have to be buying more of 'em. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> Sounds like a plan.

Tag

I have a 250-3000 that the PO bedded. I have no idea how accurate it was before, but now it's as accurate as my other non-bedded 250-3000. I doubt that bedding it would make much of a positive difference, probably the opposite if someone wasn't very careful.

Jeff did some free floating work a few years ago. This thread is from 2005, so the subject isn't talked about much.

In my 99 - 300 Savage, I’ve tried over a dozen loads with “accuracy” loads from the Lyman manual, Ken Waters, and the Nosler manual. I’ve searched the Internet and looked through old Handloader magazines. I’ve tried quite a few different bullets. The worst loads were 4 to 5 MOA for 5 shots (boat tail bullets). The best 5 shot groups are about 1.7 MOA. Most are about 2 MOA for 5 shots.
I shot one 3 shot group, using Remington factory 150 grain - 1.3 MOA.
130 grain TTSX was narrowly the most accurate. But 150 grain Hornady SP and 170 Remington CL RN we’re close 2nd. (One thing that surprised me was how far apart the groups were with different bullets). Short bullets worked best. In an article in Handloader the author praises the Speer RN 150 grain bullet. I’ll be buying a box.

Best powders (so far) H4895, Varget, and IMR4895.

A couple powders that has worked well for others that I’ve not tried yet WW748 and IMR4064.

I read about 1 MOA Savage 99’s. How common is a 1MOA Savage 99? It’s elusive for me and this 300 Savage 99.

The groups are mostly consistent in shape. One or two were almost completely horizontal. Most were even up/down with maximum reading was measured at about 45 degrees.

After reading comments in this thread I looked at the fore-end. It seems to fit well. I do not understand the above modification(s) and how it would help.

I’ll probably live with 2 MOA, but I’ll keep trying.

Have you tried removing the forearm and shooting with the receiver resting on a bag? This answers any forearm interference concerns very quickly.

Of course not all 99s are 1 moa shooters.

What model is yours?

Can't speak to bedding but I like the Speer 125 gr TNT HP with 42 gr of IMR4895. Gives me 2700fps and tight groups, about 1moa and it's easy on the shoulder. That's with a lightfoot scope adapter and a Nikon 4-9x40. 1921 99G.

I second Lightfoots first comment. I’ve heard relieving pressure against the receiver is pretty much the best and only thing worth doing. But shoot it first and if you shoot off a bench, as said above, make sure the bags are under the receiver and not the barrel. But do shoot it first.

I've bedded a couple rowdys, but nothing I would call Savage.
















Couldn't hep myseff.

I’ll likely shoot it today, unless I get pulled in another direction. I’ll try having it resting on bags as described. I’ve done that with 760 & 742 Remingtons and that made a positive difference. I was surprised to see JB’s write up on how to make the 760 more accurate. I thought if the 760 could be modified maybe the 99 could too. The fore end of this rifle looked to these eyes to be a good fit and I didn’t see or understand how modifying it could help, but I thought I’d ask.

This is my first 99. In articles I’ve read 2 MOA from a 99 isn’t too bad. Certainly fine enough for shooting off-hand at white tail deer. But then I read about guys with their 1 MOA 99’s...

Oh yeh, I’ll be trying the different bullets too.

I’m a 40’s model myself and am interested in buying affordable classic rifles and wringing them out. The 99 has had many fans and I’ve read nothing regarding any dislike for the rifle, only praise.

I’d like to test this one on white tail this year.

In my experience, trying to tune (really trying to wring out the best accuracy) 6 or 7 model 99's, I think finding the right bullet and powder has the most effect.

As far as bedding, I have discovered that minimizing the effect my "field hold" has on the forearm, and thus my effect on the barrel, has helped the most with consistency. It takes the random "what the hey-lll" fliers out of load testing, so it means my only excuse in the field is the nut behind the trigger.

I like the o-ring under the forearm method for buffering the effect of my hold. It is the simplest/easiest bedding experiment to start with, plus relieving any pressure spots in the rest of the barrel channel. You should be able to slide paper under the barrel from the receiver to the forearm screw, and from the screw to the end of the forearm.

I've done plenty of experimenting beyond that, but beyond a doubt for me, is that you will get your best accuracy mileage from load development, and your best consistency from minimizing the effect of your hold on the barrel

As a worst-case effect test, shoot your best load and bench set-up for POI and group. Then, with your forward hand pin the forearm against the barrel, up/down, left/right, doesn't matter, and shoot another group. I've found a 3MOA shift in POI can result from the lop-sided pressure being applied.

OCD

...probably

Not all 99’s are going to shoot moa. Not even close to all of them.

I think JeffG's thoughts boil it down pretty well. I would only add that the slide the paper under the barrel trick be done with the rifle resting on the forearm as it naturally would when being shot.

Calhoun's comment above also has gravitas also. We tend to forget that these aren't bolt guns with one piece stocks and match grade barrels that come with guarantees of 1/2MOA performance. When we stumble onto a 99 that delivers the magical MOA accuracy we should jealously treasure it like a guy would treasure a good loyal dog (notice I didn't say wife ). 99's that deliver 1 to 2 MOA are the norm IMO, and that's A-ok.

I wouldn't fret about a 99's accuracy unless it was way over 2 MOA. A 2 MOA gun will kill deer all day long in the woods and fields of America's hinterland. If I want to stroke my ego at the benchrest I reach for one of my bolt guns anyway.

You still haven't given us any details on your gun.

Takedown?
Model?
SN?

Anyone waiting for a comment from WJU, he was last heard from in 2010.

Wow, no foolin’. This thread was started 14-years ago!

Well. Resting the action, not fore-arm on the front bag showed no improvement over holding the fore-arm or having the fore-arm on the bag.
The best bullets include: 170 grain RN CL’s, 150 grain Hornady SP, 130 grain TTSX’s all are 2 MOA or better. Each of these bullets shoot about the same as far as accuracy.
The boat tails I tried were 150 grain Hornady. The lack of accuracy amounted to 4 to 5 MOA.
The best powders so far are: H4895, IMR4895 and Varget. Actually I could not see any one of these powders to be the better than another.

The factory Remington 150 grain loads are as accurate as any of these hand-loads.

I think I’ll go with Hornady 150 grain SP with any of the powders mentioned. These bullets are inexpensive, I think they’ll work very well and I’ll see this fall how they do on white-tails.

As far as model of this 99???
There’s no model identification that I could find. It has a tang Safety, checkered walnut stock, a round counter. It’s my first and only 99 and I’m no expert.

This rifle is wearing a Leupold M8 4x dual x scope.

I'd make sure that barrel isn't full of copper. Something sounds fishy.

you can lead a horse to water but you can't make him, oh I forgot

That's the thing about diagnosing accuracy issues over the internet. We don't know the condition of the bore, the concentricity of the loaded ammo- ability of the dies to create straight cartridges, the solidity of the rest/bench (and the consistent placing of the gun thereon), veracity of the sights/scope, or the shooter's innate ability to shoot. (Not pointing fingers, that's a general observation.) The best we can manage is advice based upon our own experiences/equipment, and seldom does that transfer from person to another.

Or from one rifle to another everything else being equal.

I’m satisfied with 150 grain Hornady flat base with 39 grains of H4895, 9 1/2 Remington primers. 308 R-P brass reformed and 300 Sav R-P brass —- same.
Grouping at 1.7” at 100 yards at close to 2,500 fps. (5 shot groups)
I’m not planning on PD shooting and I can’t remember using a rest while shooting white-tails.

But I always like to see just how accurate a rifle is and I don’t play golf. Thanks for the advice.

Who was it who had as his tag line "I hunt and fish so as not to play golf"?

1.7" will bring home the bacon all day long. We tend to forget that our 99's aren't benchrest guns, and all of them are capable of making venison burgers for the grill.

I have always sought a rest while hunting white tails. I shot my first buck 50 years ago while leaning against a tree. Obviously such is not always possible, but I've made it happen more than a few times by the expedient of taking a step or two forward or to the side to gain some support from the local flora. Then there are the guys who hunt from shooting shacks....

We're kinda short of Flora around here. Sagebrush isn't usually tall enough. Pretty much have to use a sitting or kneeling position except when I'm with Dave Harper and rest on the flat hood of his 1990 Dodge pickup.

Man, Dodge made that pickup for a long time!

He'll never let it go.