Just picked up a Savage model 99 in 30-30 made in 1903

[Silence is golden]

Just picked up a Savage model 99 in 30-30 made in 1903 looking for some load data for it. Not looking for max power just some fun blasting loads and maybe something to shoot a deer this fall





http://i1152.photobucket.com/albums/p482/Silenceisgolden94/image_zps27b480c5.jpg (http://s1152.photobucket.com/user/Silenceisgolden94/media/image_zps27b480c5.jpg.html)

[Sweetpea]

What moulds/powders do you have at your disposal?

The Lyman Cast Bullet handbook would be a great starting point.

[richhodg66]

Lyman 311041 (or NOE clone of it) and 26 grains of IMR4895. Shoots well in several .30-30s I have.

I love Savage 99s and have a few. Much superior rifle to either the Winchesters or Marlins, you have a winner.

It looks like that barrel has been docked at some point, what length is it?

[Silence is golden]

"16 1/4

[Silence is golden]

The only 30cal mold I have now is a LEE .309-180r as for powder I have red dot blue dot green dot 2400 bullseye unique varget LEVERevolution and trail boss

[Silence is golden]

By the way the bore slugs .307

[richhodg66]

I would think that Lee bullet with 15-16 grains of 2400 would work well.

[Silence is golden]

Already checked for cracks didn't find any the out side finish of the gun is a little rough but the condition of the inside parts is mint I would say it's had less 100 rounds through it

[ajjohns]

That's a nice piece! Have fun with it.

[kungfustyle]

Lyman handbook only goes to a 173g boolit. and lists 14 to 19g of 2400.

[guicksylver]

One other caution. The head space on those can be out. Check it too.
As for boolits and loads 311407 ,311467 ,311291 ,311041 all work great.

Mine really likes the 311407, the long neck of the 30-30 makes it an excellent cast boolit shooter.

If you can get your hands on some Reloader 7 or 4198 they work great in the 30-30.

Also try Paco Kelly Lever Gun website. Lots of info there.

[richhodg66]

My RCBS manual gives data for their 180 grain FP which they list as weighing 187 grains and give 16 grains as minimum and 18 as max.

My Lyman3rd Edition doesn't list any data for 2400 in the .30-30, however, they list 2400 data for a 187 grain bullet in the .303 Savage which is so darn close to the .30-30 I'd feel comfortable using it. The test rifle they used is a Savage '99 too. They list min data of 14 grains of 2400 for 1411 FPS and max data of 19 grains for 1811 FPS with the #311334 bullet.

[Silence is golden]

One other caution. The head space on those can be out. Check it too.

The head space is tight as a drum

[helice]

The 99s are so sweet. You are really going to enjoy that rifle. My go to load in the 30-30 is 24/7 - that is 24 grains of ReLoder 7 with the 170 or 180 grain Lee. I think you might consider adding a tang sight to that rifle. Make it fast and accurate.

[Silence is golden]

I'm considering adding a tang sight, any good ones?

[TXGunNut]

I like the Marble with windage adjustment because I'm not too wild about the other ways of adjusting for windage. As luck would have it neither rifle needed much windage correction anyway. Comes with three apertures for different circumstances and light availability.

[too many things]

one thing about the 99 you can use sharp point bullets. But watch the OAL as you may need to seat them a bit more .
the one I have has a 22 in barrel and the 25-35 has a 26in.
the 16in was most likely a special order for some propose. maybe for a 4 wheeler

[nekshot]

hmmm, I do believe that forend would look good going all the way to muzzle! Enjoy your gun!!

[onceabull]

Always good to see the interest in the prewar model 99s.. After years of trying for one, I am waiting on delivery of a 99H barrel band carbine in 30/30...Lymans 311440 (or one of the clones) had always done well for me in 30/30 leverguns... Onceabull

[Silence is golden]

A friend just gave me a box of 175 gr. SMKs has anybody had luck with them in a model 99?

[gnoahhh]

It's actually a Model 1899. Model designation changed to "99" in 1920. Mind you, a stiff hunting load with slow burning powder will sound like a cannon out of that short barrel. 'Tis a shame someone cut the barrel so short. One of the beauties of the old 1899's was their sweet balance, which this one has now surrendered.

Another good reason to stay shy of heavy loads in a gun that early was pointed out above. The square sharp-cornered bolt mortise in the receiver was really prone to cracking. Savage changed the design just a few years after yours was made to alleviate that problem, and swapped out receivers and bolts whenever early rifles came back for repairs. Even though it's not cracked now, shooting heavy loads could very easily cause it to happen.

I would select a heavy (180-190 grain) .30 cast bullet flat point or hollow point, cast soft and sized to fit the throat, and load it to 1600-1800 fps. Any white tail at "normal" woods close range will succumb to that poison.

Any of the older Lyman or Marbles tang sights are A-OK. The new ones are flimsier- and that is widely held by current 1899/99 users who have tried both. Don't worry about not having windage adjustment in the tang sight. It appears you have a dovetailed front sight which will allow you to make windage corrections when sighting in.

[3leggedturtle]

I would think that Lee bullet with 15-16 grains of 2400 would work well.

BINGO> I have used 10-15grs of 2400 with 113FP and 170gr FP Lee molds. Also used 4-8gr of Red Dot for a squirrel and plinking load. There is a nice M99 at Cabelas in MN for $599 with a K3 mounted. If only I was a little richer.

[richhodg66]

I agree with Gary, the handling characteristics of the longer barrels is very nice. Even the EGs, which are the most common and kind of "entry level" '99 handle and point like they are a part of you, at least mine does.

I have a '99H in .303 with a short barrel and straight wrist and it is nice too, just doesn't seem to balance and point as naturally as that EG does.

[Silence is golden]

It still balances perfectly even with the short barrel and it will make it easy to carry in tight quarters

[gnoahhh]

All that matters is that it suits you!

Personally, I have always wondered about folks "needing" extremely short rifles and shotguns for hunting in the thick stuff. I regularly use 24-26" barreled rifles, 36" and longer barreled muzzleloaders, and 28-32" barreled doubles in kudzu and briar-infested "thick stuff", and mountain laurel and white pines so thick it's like the jungles on Guadalcanal- and never once felt handicapped by their lengths. But, that's just me.

[ajjohns]

I've always liked the longer barrel on my 303 but I think one this short would be interesting to try out. I have an old Redfield sight on mine, with this short barrel I think it would be fun to see how well it did. Too bad I won't cut mine to find out. Have to keep eyes open for another one.

[Silence is golden]

Well I got this one for FREE!! All I had to do was put it back together!!

[gnoahhh]

Free is good!

[Silence is golden]

He took it apart to clean it and couldn't figure out how to put it back together so he gave it to me (it took all of 10 mins. To put it back together)

[nekshot]

I still think a mannlicher fore end would look interesting on your rifle, sure would suit it if it was a pistol grip model! I would have alot of fun with that gun if mine. I do like my 99-303, sadly a straight grip model.

[Silence is golden]

Unfortunately I cannot enjoy it quite yet since I'm visiting family in the communist state of Connecticut

[OverMax]

16-1/4 is a marginal barreled rifle. I'd be careful when and where I would choose to use it. But that's just me and my way of thinking. Your the owner and of coarse do as you please. FYI I also have a Savage's 1899. T/D model in 30-30. Best litt'l light weight woodsy rifle ever made I believe. Accurate too for a 30-30. Shoot allot of cast out of mine at targets. Jacketed on those serious occasions when the need is >filling up the freezer or I'm to lazy or too tired to carry my 270 afield. Lyman's-311291 G/C is my preferred cast of choice for use in my Savage.

[Silence is golden]

16" is the minimum barrel length so I have a 1/4" to spare

[Silence is golden]

And as for where I shoot it it will be shot either on my 200 yard back yard range or on a friend's 1000 yard range http://i1152.photobucket.com/albums/p482/Silenceisgolden94/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zps905adb9d.jpg (http://s1152.photobucket.com/user/Silenceisgolden94/media/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zps905adb9d.jpg.html)

[hornady308]

My 1899 is chambered in .303 Savage and was made in 1918. The 311041, when seated to the crimp groove, will not cycle, while the Ranch Dog 165 grain tumble lube bullet that was designed for the 30-30 works great. So, you might want to try a slightly shorter bullet or be prepared to seat heavier bullets a little deeper than you expect.

[OverMax]

16" is the minimum barrel length so I have a 1/4" to spare Depends on who's doing the measuring Sir.

[Silence is golden]

It is 16 1/4" from the muzzle crown to the breach face

[Geezer in NH]

the 16in was most likely a special order for some propose. maybe for a 4 wheeler

Uh they did not have 4 wheelers then. Showing my age I am

[woodbutcher]

:shock: Yep.That little sweety is pushing a 111 years old.hehehe.Unless,he was referring to a horse pulled buggy.
Good luck.Have fun.Be safe.
Leo

[Artful]

Depends on who's doing the measuring Sir.
Actually NOT - the prescribed method is to take a 16" rod and drop down the barrel - if the rod protrudes it's a short barreled rifle.

[TXGunNut]

Actually NOT - the prescribed method is to take a 16" rod and drop down the barrel - if the rod protrudes it's a short barreled rifle.

Never take a chance with a felony charge. It can cost you big bucks, your gun ownership rights and even your liberty. Many states have adopted the federal statute so it's not just the BATFE you have to worry about.

[Artful]

If the state adopted the federal statute then they would have to allow the proscribed method of measurement.

[TXGunNut]

If the state adopted the federal statute then they would have to allow the proscribed method of measurement.


Yes, they would.

[Silence is golden]

I put a rod down the barrel marked it at the muzzle and measured it and it came out at 16 1/4" on the dot

[TXGunNut]

Good! I like a short carbine for some situations, kinda cute too!