Savage 1899 30-30 using a Cast Bullet

[saleen322]

I always liked 99 Savages. I found and bought a Savage 1899 in 30-30 with a Lyman tang sight. I thought this would be a good candidate for cast bullets and I wanted to use the heaviest bullet I had that would not run past the neck and fit the magazine. I have a Lee 170 FPGC that I thought I would try. I sized to 0.310, used Carnuba Red, and 20 grains of IMR-4198, OAL 1.501". With the iron sights I shot it at 50 yards through the chronograph with an average of 1732 fps out of the 26" barrel when I shot the first groups. Also what impressed me was the consistency with an extreme spread of 41 fps across 9 of the 10 rounds shot for accuracy. The first 5 rounds were good for me with the iron sights with one shot low making about 2" on the groups size. I thought I would take my time and shoot 5 more in the same target to see if they were as good. The next 5 were real good for me going in around 1".


A couple of weeks later I wondered what my old 340 would do with the same load @ 100 yards. The 340 has a scope so it is easier to shoot for accuracy. I was very happy with the results, 5-shots in 1 11/16". This load is a keeper.

[richhodg66]

A couple of nice old Savages there. My 340 in .30-30 is a good shooter too. I have several 99s, but sadly, not a .30-30 one.

That's a nice after market stock on the 340. My .222 340 has one that's similar.

Looks like you have the load figured out, time to go deer hunting.

[sghart3578]

Very nice. I love lever guns but somehow I have never owned or even shot a Savage 99. It may be time to correct that.

Great job.

[OverMax]

I use the same powder and components in both my Win 94 30 wcf and Savage 1899 30-30. Found the Savage likes its 291 cast a little more peppier in powder measure than what the Winchester is willing to digest for its best groupings. The amount of difference is a very small 1/2 grain of AA-2230 added. (Apparently it doesn't take much powder one way or the other to open a rifles {just fine and dandy grouping} to where such a fine and dandy grouping tanks and becomes totally unacceptable.)

[saleen322]

A couple of nice old Savages there. My 340 in .30-30 is a good shooter too. I have several 99s, but sadly, not a .30-30 one.

That's a nice after market stock on the 340. My .222 340 has one that's similar...

That 340 is one of the deals you smile about when you reflect on it. Maybe 15 years ago a small LGS used to always get interesting stuff in. Well he had that 340 in 30-30 but marked not for sale. I asked him about it and he said he did not want sell it because the sear would release when you closed the bolt about 1/2 the time. He was going to see how much it would cost to repair and then decide what to do. The guy knew I used to be a gunsmith so I asked if he would sell it to me and if so, how much. He said he paid I think $125 for it and he thought the stock was worth at least half of that if it could not be fixed. Bottom line, he said $125 and it was mine if I promised not to resell it without making sure it was right. A $0.50 spring and 15 years later I still have it.

[Rich/WIS]

Was just reading this yesterday AM and later stopped at our LGS/Pawn Shop and what was on the rack but a 99 in 30/30. Not a lever guy but the wood on this one was so beautiful I was tempted. Price was $669 and they were having a 10% off sale, so it was not easy to say no.

[flint45]

Very nice rifles those old 99's are one of my favorites. I think I will try that load in mine.

[richhodg66]

Was just reading this yesterday AM and later stopped at our LGS/Pawn Shop and what was on the rack but a 99 in 30/30. Not a lever guy but the wood on this one was so beautiful I was tempted. Price was $669 and they were having a 10% off sale, so it was not easy to say no.

The funny thing is, I have a hard time considering 99s lever actions, they are so far ahead of the others. If you ever try a 99, they are wonderful rifles. I wish they were still produced.

Sounds like that 340 was a steal. They are pretty good rifles, my .30-30 one is not a tack driver but it'll outshoot almost any lever gun in .30-30 all day long. They are kind of sensitive about cartridge length, anything longer than a factory round has trouble ejecting loaded rounds in mine.

[ajjohns]

Your 99 looks identical to mine. Recoil pad and all, but mine's 303. Nice shooting!

[Scharfschuetze]

Wow! Nice shooting Saleen.

My Savage 99 is the barrel band Model 99H in 30/30. I haven't fully wrung it out yet with cast, but I have a 170 grain (Lyman 311041) load using 4831 surplus powder that is in the ball park with your nice rifle. My 99H will out shoot my scope sighted Remington 788 at velocities over 1,900 fps when using cast bullets, probably because it has a 1 in 12" twist compared to the 788's 1 in 10" twist.

Just got to love old 30/30s.

[saleen322]

Thank you. I really like the 99H as it is a fine rifle. I have had pretty good luck using 4198 on the lighter loads. So far it has given enough pressure to seal the case off and provide good consistency. I have had good luck in the 1700-1900 fps range with accuracy. When it gets warmer I will see what kind of velocity I get and maybe up the charge a little just to try it. In any case, I bookmarked that load and will use it in the future.

[psweigle]

Love the stock on that 340. Much nicer than factory.

[too many things]

still have the 30-30 for sale

[drjjpdc]

Here's a few pics of my 1st Savage; 1899 B in .30-30 and 26" Barrel born in 1911. This one I am keeping original with no changes. Later on I did add a Marbles Tang Sight. I ain't a world class picture taker but you get the idea.

[Bill*B]

Shot a lot of .30/30 in years past, and 20 grains of 4198 under almost any cast bullet was a winner! Your initial post brought back fond memories.