Savage Model99 in 300 Savage

[Val]

I just completed the load development on my undesireable Savage Model 99 in 300 Savage. I'm using the Hornady 130 grain SP. My best three shot group was .75" and several right ar 1". I'm using 43.5 grains of Varget with Winchester WLR primers. I used an AOL of 2.58", the magazine will not allow for much of a longer AOL. I really love shooting this very undesireable rifle. This rifle was manufactured in 1941.

[Keith L]

I don't know, Val.  The gun is quite desirable.  Posts talking about its undesirability don't seem to serve much purpose other than trying to start a fight with someone.  That is against the rules here at GBO.

[whelen36]

i probably missed something before but , why do you call this rifle " very undesirable "

[Val]

There were some earlier posts about the Model 99 that were derogatory. I love this rifle and am looking for additional ones in other calibers. It just might be the best lever action ever built. I was amazed at what a good shooter it is.

[Gun Runner]

I have the Savage "1899" in 30/30 made in 1924. It belonged to my father-in-law. He got it new as a kid and he passed it down to me.

Gun Runner

[Freezer]

   Allot of those post were just plain sarcastic and funny.  Just a question, why 130s?  Those bullets were designed for pistols and though they may do the job on deer a better choice would be 150, thier the first weight designed for a rifle. 

[Val]

I went with the 130 because I wanted a bit higher muzzle velocity for flatter shooting. I intend to use it for deer. Of course I'll need to develop an unleaded bullet for some areas of SoCal but I understand leaded bullets are OK in D14. I have some Nosler 150 grain E-tips that I developed a nice load for my 30-06. I may play with the E-tips in this 300 Savage Model99.

[Freezer]

    I shoot 165 gr Sierra game kinds in my 99f in 308.  I can cover three shots with a nickle at 100 yrds.  Are you shooting blacktail or Muley?  Two years ago I droped a Pa whitetail with a neck shot at 281 yrds using 99f in 300 Sav with 180 gr Rem core locks.  Unless your trying to cut recoil I like the heavier bullets they seem to be very accurate for me.

[Val]

I'm from the Republik of Kalifornia and I go for a Blacktail every year. However this year I have to go to a non lead bullet. I developed a non lead load for my 30-06 that I'll probably use this year. There is some areas where Condors don't populate that do not require lead. If I hunt those areas I'll use my Model 99.

[Freezer]

    I live in the commy republic also and hunt Blacktail up north.  135's will do fine as long as you don't have a bear tag.  From what I've read about the lead free bullets they are accurate and perform well.

[thornblom]

Howdy Gentlemen,

I also now live in southern kalifornia, but am from Texas.  I still hunt in Texas, Arizona and New Mexico. 

My first high powered rifle was a Savage 99E .243.  Dad gave it to me on my 14th birthday.  I had that rifle till I was 23 then had a week moment and Traded it off.  A couple of years later a gun shop was going out of business in Lampassas, Texas.  They had a nid Savage 99 A in .250-3000.  I bought it and kept it a few years and then traded it off.  Don't ask why, I wish I had them both back.  I had harvested a herd of deer with both of those rifles.

Last year, on Gunbrokers.com, I found a 1954 vintage Savage 99 F in .300 savage in about 92 % condition.  The only thing wrong was the original owner took off the original grip cap and replaced it with a compass.  He did a nice job fitting it to the grip so it is OK.  I went on ebay and found an original grip cap in Canada.  After the dust settled, I paid $54 dollars for the grip cap.  I must have wanted it pretty bad, huh?

Any how, that rifle now wears an older weaver 2.5 to 7x micro-trac scope in weaver mounts and rings.

My load:

Case:     WW .300 Savage
Primer:     CCI-Br2
Bullet:     150 grain Sierra pro-hunter (spitzer flat base)
Powder:     41 grains of IMR-4895
Velocity from 22" barrell,  Approx 2620 ft/sec
3 shots ito 1" at 100 yards.

I can live with that.  Guess I'll just keep this one.  I am 61 years old now and these rifles are now going through the roof price wise.

Sincerely,
Dave (Bubba) Thornblom

[robert4570]

I just completed the load development on my undesireable Savage Model 99 in 300 Savage. I'm using the Hornady 130 grain SP. My best three shot group was .75" and several right ar 1". I'm using 43.5 grains of Varget with Winchester WLR primers. I used an AOL of 2.58", the magazine will not allow for much of a longer AOL. I really love shooting this very undesireable rifle. This rifle was manufactured in 1941.

Undesireable ?
Oh ,I get it.... you're kiddin, right .