Savage 99E in 308

[plateshooter]

Anybody willing to share their loads for a Savage 99 in 308?  The action does not seem as strong as my bolt guns, and I would appreciate your experience with loads for this rifle.

Thanks

[Ron T.]

Worry not about the strength of the Model 99's action... it will take a "hot" load in a .308 Win. with no problem at all.

The breach-block in a Model 99 Savage is massive and the whole rifle is very strong.  I've loaded many a "hot round" in my Model 99 in .300 Savage caliber (the "father" of the .308 Winchester cartridge).

However, generally, I've found the MOST ACCURATE loads in ANY caliber of rifle are usually slightly less than the maximum listed loads in most cases.


Strength & Honor...

Ron T.

[Leftoverdj]

The Savage 99 ACTION is strong. Its extraction is not. Cases start sticking a couple of grains below where it would be noticeable in a bolt gun. This is especially noticeable if you are using military cases which boost pressures a bit.

Staying two grains under book max is a decent rule of thumb. If you feel any stickiness, cut the load another grain or two.

Avoid fired military cases. They have almost certainly been fired in oversized chambers and are very bad about sticking even at very safe pressures. www.gibrass.com has unfired military brass from pulldown ammo at very reasonable prices.

[plateshooter]

Thanks for the replies guys.  I did have some sticking of the fired mil cases, and will leave those for my milsurp rifles from now on.  I'm glad to know the 99 action is sufficiently strong.  I'll just keep testing to find the best loads in the less than maximum range.