I totally agree
with SavageT (gee, that rhymes, doesnt it?)
According to most experts who know about these things, my 50 year old, 1953 late EG Model 99 with its rotary magazine which takes pointed bullets that retain their velocity much better than flat-nosed bullets, a cartridge counter, a schnoble forearm, a factory-jeweled breech-block and a lever safety in .300 Savage is THE classic eastern deer rifle
and most 150 grain bullets seem to be designed to work their best at .300 Savage velocities.
My handloads, consisting of a 150 grain Nosler Ballistic Tip, boat-tailed bullet in front of 41.5 grains of IMR4895 sparked by a Winchester standard large rifle primer in Winchester cartridge cases averages a muzzle velocity of 2675 fps according to my chronograph and yields consistent 3-shot groups averaging 7/10ths of an inch @ 100 yards.
Sighted in 2.8 inches high at 100 yards, my handloads give my .300 Savage a point-blank-range of 260 yards
as far as I care to take a shot at a deer
and the 150 grain Nosler Ballistic Tip Bullet is still traveling about 2200 fps with about 1600 ft/lbs. of bullet energy.
This perfect deer package is completed by the Bushnell 3x-9x scope mounted as low as possible directly over the receiver/beech-block opening rather than having to use a side mount. This is made possible because the Model 99 Savages famous butter-smooth lever action ejects the spent cartridge cases out to the right side rather than straight up as the lever is operated.
But, in truth, perhaps the best deer rifle is the one youve got in your hands when that huge-bodied, 10-point buck suddenly appears in front of you within shooting range
and your heart leaps into your mouth.
Strength & Honor
Ron T.