300 Savage 150 grain load w/Varget

[rimfire]

My manuals do not list Varget for the 300 Savage...but I have seen many references to using it in a M99 with a 150 grain bullet.  I loaded 42 grains of Varget based on a load I saw in several places using 43 grains.  It shoots well out of my 99...at least well enough for deer, but I have no idea if it is in the middle or lower range for Varget in this cartridge.  An article I saw said that 43 grains was not max...but did not mention what it was...or how 43 compared.

Anoyone have a manual showing a 150 PSP CoreLokt bullet in front of Varget that can give me the Maximum load, min load and any velocity info that might be there? 

How about minimum velocity you could expect this bullet to expand in a deer reliably? 

My 99 has a 24" barrel I believe.  The case falls from the chamber from this load and I am not concerned really...just wanted to know where this load fits. 

[yooper77]

The Lyman 48th edition reloading handbook, show the following:

300 Savage

150 grain flat based bullet C.O.L. 2.600"

MIN: 38.0 grains of Varget
MAX: 42.0 grains of Varget (compressed powder charge)

I suggest you pull all the bullets and start over at the minimum to work your way up to accuracy.  You are already at the maximum and you don't know if you have the safest or most accurate load.

yooper77

[rimfire]

I seated the bullets much farther out than listed [2.7" OAL] and I know that reduces pressures somewhat.  As well, I saw many listings of heavier loads for the M99 so I am expecting this is safe, but I will back off and try less.

Any notes on velocity from that manual you can share?

Thanks.

[Val]

I just developed a load for my model 99 in 300 Savage but I used 130 grain Hornady SPs. They chronographed at 2780 fps and should be an excellent deer round. Unfortunately in the Republik of California I need non lead bullets to hunt where I go so I can't use my model 99. They're blaming hunters for lead poisoning of Condors. That is just speculation but, enough to make the lunatic fringe environmentalist ban lead bullets.

[yooper77]

Here it is again with the books velocity.

The Lyman 48th edition reloading handbook, show the following:

300 Savage

150 grain flat based bullet C.O.L. 2.600"

MIN: 38.0 grains of Varget - 2438 FPS
MAX: 42.0 grains of Varget - 2741 FPS (compressed powder charge)

yooper77

[rimfire]

I ended up staying with 42 grains and it did a number on the doe yesterday.  At 90 yards without hitting structure I had a 1.5" exit hole.  I took off the top of the heart and she ran 50 feet.  I usually aim above the leg but I hit maybe 4" behind shooting offhand.  I was surprised at the exit, but I have hunted so long with handguns maybe I just forgot what a big exit looked like.

I think this bullet would work fine even slower and I think the load worked well.