Just returned from the range

[JDL]

Tried out some different loads in my 99 Savage .300 with 311466 and NEI 310-154GC. Powder for both boolits was 27 grains of IMR-3031 and, while the 311466 looked like ought buckshot groups, the NEI shot about 2.25" at 100 yards.
Also sighted in my Marlin 336SC .30-30 after putting on an old Weaver K3 post. Load was 35 grains H-414 pushing an LBT 310165 LFN (air-cooled wheelweights) a little over 1950 fps. Initial adjustments were at 25, then moved to 100 yards and shot 3 into .8". Five groups have averaged slightly over 2". -JDL

[JDL]

W30WCF, a super nice guy, suggested that he'd found H-414 to be very good in his .30 WCF, so having a jug full, and not particularly fond of it in other calibers, I tried it in my .30-30s. It works as well in both my Marlins as he indicated it did in his, although I believe he's loading a bit heavier. Previously, I was using a case full of H-4831 or MR-3100 (vertually the same burn rate) but, it left lots of half-burned powder in the barrel and velocity was much slower because of the low pressure. My '94 Winchester is next in line to try it, but since it is without scope, I won't be too surprised if it doesn't do as well. -JDL

[Bret4207]

That short 300 Sav neck calls for extra care in seating. Things can get crooked fast. Also check the forearm tension and make sure the forearm isn't binding anywhere. Hard to believe, but guys in the 40's and 50's found glass bedding that skinny little forearm did all sorts of good for the 99. I'd play with seating depth and powder before I gave up on the 99.

[Maineboy]

That short 300 Sav neck calls for extra care in seating. Things can get crooked fast. Also check the forearm tension and make sure the forearm isn't binding anywhere. Hard to believe, but guys in the 40's and 50's found glass bedding that skinny little forearm did all sorts of good for the 99. I'd play with seating depth and powder before I gave up on the 99.

What Bret said. I find that seating cast boolits as far out in the case neck as possible and still feed through the rotary magazine works best. I also bought a Lee factory crimp die, which that adds a bit more tension in the case neck and improved groups.

[JDL]

Sorry, I didn't make myself clear on the 99. This is the one that started me out casting for rifles in the late '70's. I have a couple of good loads for it, 44 grains of H-4831 with 31141(a real deer killer!) and 23 grains of Rx7 with a 165 truncated cone flat point that Mountain Moulds made. Either of which will do 2" or better at 100 but, I had some 311466 and the NEI 310-154 that I wanted to try. Unfortunately, the 311466/IMR-3031 load just didn't get'er done but a little tweaking with the NEI boolit should make for better results. My main intrest is in the NEI that's a 4 cavity for volume production. -JDL