Author Topic: Bullet Seating in the 300 Savage (Read 554 times)

Zeke Menuar · « **on:** October 13, 2005, 10:16:10 AM »

I've been loading for my M99-R for about three years now, always using the same Hornady 165gr flat-based Interlock and RL-15. I can load out to 2.612" and still chamber rounds fine. I keep 165 BTSP on hand for my Ishy 2A but never loaded the BT's in the Savage.

I have heard all the warnings about not using BT's in the M99 because of the bullet shank getting into the powder room. During my last loading session I ran out of the 165 flat-based bullets. I had 15 prepped cases, powder and all sitting there ready to go. I figured what the heck and loaded the rest up with the 165gr BT Interlock. There was no powder compression, I could hear powder in the case moving.

I went to the gravel pits to plink a bit and generally goof off. To my surprise the BT rounds did much better in the Savage than the flat-based bullets. Golf balls at 200 yards were no problem. The flat-based bullets did so-so.

So what is the big deal with the bullet shank getting into the powder room?

ZM

Siskiyou · « **Reply #1 on:** October 21, 2005, 05:50:38 AM »

I loaded the Hornady 165 BT in the .300 Savage without a problem. For years loaders have loaded compressed loads in other cases without a problem. I think a lot of people image a problem with the .300 Savage case that is not there; or poor loading methods.

Many of the experts have never loaded the case.

As rookie reloader I had a few case problems, but that was my fault not the .270 I was learning on.

Lone Star · « **Reply #2 on:** October 21, 2005, 09:10:43 AM »

Writers in the slicks have forever stated that having a bullet protrude into the powder space is "a minor ballistic sin", but based on whose experience? The reality is, many factory rounds have had deep penetration of the bullet into the powder space and it seems safe and practical enough to the factories. Examples are the 6.5 and .350 Remington Magnums, the .264 and 7mm Mags, the .300 Winchester Magnum....the list goes on and on.

I've loaded for two .300 Savages and they both liked boattailed bullets very much. One is a Contender with 15" barrel, and with 168-grain MatchKings it will agg in the .5s for four, 5-shot groups. The most accurate hunting loads use Nosler Ballistic Tip bullets, and they perform extremely well at the .300's velocities.

Don't fix something that isn't broke!

cal sibley · « **Reply #3 on:** October 21, 2005, 04:44:12 PM »

I think views are starting to change on this topic as our bullets are getting increasingly better in recent years. The rule used to be, use flat based bullets at 100yds. and the boattails at 200yds. and longer. I don't think that's so true today. My big concern with the .300Savage would be the reloads concentricity because of that very short case neck. You can't help but seat the bullet a good ways into the boiler room. Just one mans opinion. Best wishes.

Cal - Montreal

Ron T. · « **Reply #4 on:** October 23, 2005, 02:25:04 PM »

Sorry... no "X", so I can't delete this post.

Ron T. · « **Reply #5 on:** October 23, 2005, 02:37:38 PM »

Same as above...

Ron T. · « **Reply #6 on:** October 23, 2005, 02:39:17 PM »

Same as above :roll:

Ron T. · « **Reply #7 on:** October 23, 2005, 02:42:13 PM »

I used 3 different brands of 150 grain bullets... Sierra, Hornady (both flat-based) and the Nosler Ballistic Tip boat-tail bullet with 4 different powders (IMR3031, IMR4895, IMR4064 and Hodgdon's Varget and 4 different primers (CCI, Remington, Winchester and Federal) to work up the deer hunting load I use in my Model 99 Savage (.300 Savage caliber).

I eventually found that 41.5 grains of IMR4895 (a "maximum" load, according to my loading books) behind a 150 grain Nosler Ballistic Tip, boat-tailed bullet sparked by a standard Winchester large rifle primer in once-fired, "accurized" Winchester cases consistently put 3 rounds into an average of .75 inches at 100 yards off the bench-rest... yielding a chronographed muzzle velocity of 2680 fps. One 3-shot group, fired at 50 yards, measured just .197-inches using the Nosler boat-tail bullet.

The accuracy and ballistic efficiency (BC=.435) of the 150 grain Nosler Ballistic Tip, boat-tail bullet is excellent... and I recommend them for deer at .300 Savage velocities. I understand the new Nosler bonded-core bullets combine the best of "both worlds", the proven penetration & expansion of the Nosler Partition AND the accuracy of the Ballistic Tip.

I seat the bullets in such a way as to achieve a total overall cartridge length (including the bullet) of the recommended 2.6 inches.

Strength & Honor...

Ron T.

while99 · « **Reply #8 on:** October 23, 2005, 04:15:18 PM »

I've loaded for a wide variety of levers, pumps, and bolt guns chambered for the .300 Savage cartridge and I've kept records of OAL lengths used with various bullets in those rifles. What I've found is that there is a great variation in throat length from rifle to rifle with this cartridge.

Steve P · « **Reply #9 on:** October 24, 2005, 04:15:40 PM »

The old school theory about pressures building and problems occuring when the bullet entered into the case, were just that, old school. With the new modern powder and bullets, a good portion of ammo has the bullet inside the case beyond the neck. .243 Wssm is one example. About 1/3 of the bullet is beyond the neck. Same with a lot of the new .223 ammo with 65 and 80 gr bullets.

You go shoot what your 99 likes. You have to limit your overall length to what fits in the rotary magazine. Beyond that, go for it.

The Savage brass was considered weak in the shoulder. That is because it has a pretty steep angle and a lot of folks were over sizing the brass when reloading it. Set your dies to just touch that shoulder and you should get 10+ loadings from your brass.

Good luck and enjoy that 99.

Steve