Sanity Check: 300 Savage in a Model 99

[Twmaster]

I'm loading up some boolits for a Savage 99 chambered 300 Savage. I have some 130 grain cast boolits (not GC) and about all the powder I have left is Red-Dot. Would 8 grains of R-D be a sane starting point?

I'm still learning the Cast Boolit Jedi Ways. Please don't beat me up too badly! :bigsmyl2:

Thanks.

[Larry Gibson]

Start at 5 gr and work up in 1/2 gr increments to 8 gr.

Larry Gibson

[woody1]

I don't think Larry is telling you that 8 gr. is a max load because it isn't. Just that you may find your accuracy a little lower and may find leading above 8 gr. due to the lack of gas check. Regards, Woody

[TCLouis]

10 - 13 with 150 in the 308 so do some calculations of case capacity ratio and see where that takes you.

THEN START LOW.

[Twmaster]

Thanks guys. The 300 Savage has a 5% smaller case capacity than the 308 WIN.

I suspected if I loaded above 8 or so I may risk leading due to no GC.

I'll have to piddle with this once the rifle is here. It's an 'indefinite' loaner from my father.

[excess650]

My old .300 (early 1920s) seemed to like the Lee C309-150F. IIRC its really tight like .309" throat with .308" bore.

[Bret4207]

Start low and work up. You should be able to duplicate the light 32-20 loads. Just remember the 300 has a very short neck so watch your alignment. 5 grs sounds about right.

[MtGun44]

Other than the leading issue, which may rule with no GC, I don't know, 13 gr Unique is a
common "standard" load that works pretty much across the board in bottleneck "full sized"
cartridges of that era. Maybe limit it to 12 gr or something, but this should still be pretty
mild.

Bill

[Larry Gibson]

I don't think Larry is telling you that 8 gr. is a max load because it isn't. Just that you may find your accuracy a little lower and may find leading above 8 gr. due to the lack of gas check. Regards, Woody

That is correct. My recommendation was for accuracy, not a max load or velocity.

Larry Gibson

[Twmaster]

Still waiting for my dad's visit with that Savage! (I'm acting like a kid waiting for Christmas!) :)