300 Savage in Savage 99

Seamus Mc · December 11, 2013, 10:59 PM

Howdy,

I just picked up a 1950’s vintage Savage 99 in .300 Savage caliber. It is a Featherweight model with a 22 inch barrel. I also got the RCBS 2 Die set & a box of ammo for brass. The only smokeless powder I have on hand is Trailboss; I usually only load black powder.

So I am seeking input on what I might do with the Trailboss, which does not list this caliber in their charts, or what other powder anyone can recommend. Given the difficulty of finding powder recently what would be a good choice of powder for this caliber likely to be readily available? I expect to use 150g .308bullets.

Has anyone experience with loading for this type of rifle-caliber-barrel length?
Any input or tips on loading this caliber is welcome.

Seamus

Mike / Tx · December 12, 2013, 05:25 AM

I have an old Rem Model 81 in 300 Savage that I inherited. It was primarily shot with the 180gr bullets, but my plans for it were to use some Rem150gr or 165 gr CL's instead. I figured I would use some Hodgdons or IMR-4895 so I could keep the pressures somewhat in check, and simply load it up to a reliably functioning level. I would think it would also work just fine for your task as well. You might also consider maybe IMR-3031 as well as a couple of other medium to medium slow powders in that range. If your like me you are not looking to push the limits of brass and steel anyway, just looking for a decent usable load.

I have a couple of grandsons, one of which is 11 who would love to get behind it, just for the "COOL" factor. Also depending on how well it feeds them, this might be a good candidate to use up some old Ballistic Tips I have sitting on the shelf as well. Loaded down they should preform well without being overly expansive and should bloodshot less meat.

I'm sure for a bolt gun there are plenty of other powders which would work well. It's hard however to beat something like the 4895's in this sized caliber though. The only caveat however is the "readily available" part.

ligonierbill · December 12, 2013, 06:21 AM

IMR-4895 or -4064 are good. My go to is Reloder 15, but it's been scarce lately. If you really want to try Trailboss, Quickload says 15 grains will fill the case and give you 1,600 fps at pretty low pressure.

rebs · December 12, 2013, 06:23 AM

Take a look here for powder and loads for your 300 Savage

http://data.hodgdon.com/cartridge_load.asp

Hunter Customs · December 12, 2013, 09:39 AM

I have a Savage 99 in 300 Savage caliber that I load for.
I use IMR4064 and Speer Hotcore 150 gr bullets.

These are great rifles, I have two of them, 300 Savage and 250 Savage.

Best Regards
Bob Hunter
www.huntercustoms.com

**Mike Irwin** · December 12, 2013, 02:54 PM

Trail Boss is going to give you some rather low velocities, I would think, along the lines of a .32-40 load, maybe a bit better, but certainly nothing approaching the .300's potential.

I personally am a big proponent of IMR 4064 for almost all of my rifle loading, including in .300 Savage.

I've put together reloads with that powder and 150 to 165 gr. bullets for both my Model 99 and my Remington 722 and gotten excellent results.

Truth be told, though, you're going to find that most of the powders suitable for .308 are going to work very well in the .300 as they are so very, very similar.

The only powder that I never really cared for is WW 748. I never got the accuracy out of the 99 with 748 that I did with 4064, and I also felt that my ballistic uniformity just wasn't there, but I didn't have a chronograph at the time to really tell for sure.

rebs · December 13, 2013, 03:30 PM

how well would IMR 3031 perform ?

ligonierbill · December 13, 2013, 03:49 PM

Haven't tried it, but Quickload says 40 grains should be good to go with 150's. Work up to this, of course. Full case and factory spec velocity. ("Factory spec"=2,630. The original load aimed to duplicate the "standard" 150 30-06 at the time - 2,700. That proved a little much for an action that locks at the back of the bolt, so they backed off a tad. My Remington factory loads only go about 2,550.) Good luck, good shooting.

Grandpa1466 · December 19, 2013, 11:58 PM

I have a Model 99 in 300 Savage that I reload for it since ammo is so expensive, IF you can even find it. My load for 20 years has been 150 gr Speer boattail hollow point or soft point bullet over 39.5 grains of IMR 4064. It shoots a 1.5-2.0" group at 200 yards and has taken down deer at 250 yards.

**Mike Irwin** · December 21, 2013, 09:57 AM

That's roughly the load I've used for my .300, but with a Hornady bullet.

December 11, 2013, 10:59 PM	#1
Seamus Mc Member Join Date: March 24, 2013 Posts: 33	300 Savage in Savage 99 Howdy, I just picked up a 1950’s vintage Savage 99 in .300 Savage caliber. It is a Featherweight model with a 22 inch barrel. I also got the RCBS 2 Die set & a box of ammo for brass. The only smokeless powder I have on hand is Trailboss; I usually only load black powder. So I am seeking input on what I might do with the Trailboss, which does not list this caliber in their charts, or what other powder anyone can recommend. Given the difficulty of finding powder recently what would be a good choice of powder for this caliber likely to be readily available? I expect to use 150g .308bullets. Has anyone experience with loading for this type of rifle-caliber-barrel length? Any input or tips on loading this caliber is welcome. Seamus

December 12, 2013, 05:25 AM	#2
Mike / Tx Senior Member Join Date: April 8, 2000 Posts: 2,101	I have an old Rem Model 81 in 300 Savage that I inherited. It was primarily shot with the 180gr bullets, but my plans for it were to use some Rem150gr or 165 gr CL's instead. I figured I would use some Hodgdons or IMR-4895 so I could keep the pressures somewhat in check, and simply load it up to a reliably functioning level. I would think it would also work just fine for your task as well. You might also consider maybe IMR-3031 as well as a couple of other medium to medium slow powders in that range. If your like me you are not looking to push the limits of brass and steel anyway, just looking for a decent usable load. I have a couple of grandsons, one of which is 11 who would love to get behind it, just for the "COOL" factor. Also depending on how well it feeds them, this might be a good candidate to use up some old Ballistic Tips I have sitting on the shelf as well. Loaded down they should preform well without being overly expansive and should bloodshot less meat. I'm sure for a bolt gun there are plenty of other powders which would work well. It's hard however to beat something like the 4895's in this sized caliber though. The only caveat however is the "readily available" part. __________________ LAter, Mike / TX

December 12, 2013, 02:54 PM	#6
Mike Irwin Staff Join Date: April 13, 2000 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 41,380	Trail Boss is going to give you some rather low velocities, I would think, along the lines of a .32-40 load, maybe a bit better, but certainly nothing approaching the .300's potential. I personally am a big proponent of IMR 4064 for almost all of my rifle loading, including in .300 Savage. I've put together reloads with that powder and 150 to 165 gr. bullets for both my Model 99 and my Remington 722 and gotten excellent results. Truth be told, though, you're going to find that most of the powders suitable for .308 are going to work very well in the .300 as they are so very, very similar. The only powder that I never really cared for is WW 748. I never got the accuracy out of the 99 with 748 that I did with 4064, and I also felt that my ballistic uniformity just wasn't there, but I didn't have a chronograph at the time to really tell for sure. __________________ "The gift which I am sending you is called a dog, and is in fact the most precious and valuable possession of mankind" -Theodorus Gaza Baby Jesus cries when the fat redneck doesn't have military-grade firepower.

December 21, 2013, 09:57 AM	#10
Mike Irwin Staff Join Date: April 13, 2000 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 41,380	That's roughly the load I've used for my .300, but with a Hornady bullet. __________________ "The gift which I am sending you is called a dog, and is in fact the most precious and valuable possession of mankind" -Theodorus Gaza Baby Jesus cries when the fat redneck doesn't have military-grade firepower.

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search

December 12, 2013, 06:21 AM	#3
ligonierbill Senior Member Join Date: May 20, 2007 Posts: 2,448	IMR-4895 or -4064 are good. My go to is Reloder 15, but it's been scarce lately. If you really want to try Trailboss, Quickload says 15 grains will fill the case and give you 1,600 fps at pretty low pressure.

December 12, 2013, 06:23 AM	#4
rebs Senior Member Join Date: January 10, 2012 Posts: 3,881	Take a look here for powder and loads for your 300 Savage http://data.hodgdon.com/cartridge_load.asp

December 12, 2013, 09:39 AM	#5
Hunter Customs Senior Member Join Date: March 26, 2005 Location: Osborn, Missouri Posts: 2,697	I have a Savage 99 in 300 Savage caliber that I load for. I use IMR4064 and Speer Hotcore 150 gr bullets. These are great rifles, I have two of them, 300 Savage and 250 Savage. Best Regards Bob Hunter www.huntercustoms.com

December 13, 2013, 03:30 PM	#7
rebs Senior Member Join Date: January 10, 2012 Posts: 3,881	how well would IMR 3031 perform ?

December 13, 2013, 03:49 PM	#8
ligonierbill Senior Member Join Date: May 20, 2007 Posts: 2,448	Haven't tried it, but Quickload says 40 grains should be good to go with 150's. Work up to this, of course. Full case and factory spec velocity. ("Factory spec"=2,630. The original load aimed to duplicate the "standard" 150 30-06 at the time - 2,700. That proved a little much for an action that locks at the back of the bolt, so they backed off a tad. My Remington factory loads only go about 2,550.) Good luck, good shooting.

December 19, 2013, 11:58 PM	#9
Grandpa1466 Junior Member Join Date: February 4, 2012 Posts: 5	I have a Model 99 in 300 Savage that I reload for it since ammo is so expensive, IF you can even find it. My load for 20 years has been 150 gr Speer boattail hollow point or soft point bullet over 39.5 grains of IMR 4064. It shoots a 1.5-2.0" group at 200 yards and has taken down deer at 250 yards.