Best bullet savage 99 300 savage

[sixpointfive]

I just bought a savage 99 in 300 savage. What bullet would work best? I have the following:
Noe 311165 (30-30 bullet)
Lee 312-165 (sks bullet)
311291 170 gr Lyman
Lyman 311359 120 gr (30 carbine bullet)

I’m running 2400 for power

[Outpost75]

None of those will fit the SAAMI throat on the .300 Savage, which is both short and tight.

The Lyman .30 Carbine bullet might, but there are several and I don't know which one you are referring to.

The Ideal #311414 was designed for the .300 Savage, if you can find one.

The short neck on the .300 Savage also causes issues with the base of the bullet protruding below the neck-shoulder junction.

Best fit would probably be Accurate 31-160H, but when ordering have Tom tweak the nose and body diameters to a chamber cast of your rifle, which he can do. You could order from the drawing below, but specify DIAMETER TOLERANCE NEGATIVE, and it should fit as-cast.

You might be able to size the Lee SKS bullet down to try a few, but it is at least 0.003" oversize on the nose and you will probably have trouble chambering it, even if sized down to .309-.310"

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[sixpointfive]

311359

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[Outpost75]

That one will probably work OK if you drive it at .32-20 velocities.

[sixpointfive]

That one will probably work OK if you drive it at .32-20 velocities.

Was hoping for 1800-1900fps

[RedlegEd]

Hi. You really didn't define "best" for what purpose? I have an Ideal 311414, and you'll see them come up from time to time on GB, Ebay, or even here. It's a great bullet, and I've had good luck with it, although it's probably not a good hunting bullet because it's got such a sharp point. I'm sure it'll zip right through a critter with no problem unless you hit a bone as cast soft. I also use a Lee C309-120-R that I've reamed the GC shank to make a PB and Lee TL314-90-SWC. I PC or TL them and shoot as plinkers with Bullseye, not only in my M99, but 30 Herrett and .30-06s as well. If you PM me your address, I'll send you some of each just to play with. Ed

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[sixpointfive]

Hi. You really didn't define "best" for what purpose? I have an Ideal 311414, and you'll see them come up from time to time on GB, Ebay, or even here. It's a great bullet, and I've had good luck with it, although it's probably not a good hunting bullet because it's got such a sharp point. I'm sure it'll zip right through a critter with no problem unless you hit a bone as cast soft. I also use a Lee C309-120-R that I've reamed the GC shank to make a PB and Lee TL314-90-SWC. I PC or TL them and shoot as plinkers with Bullseye, not only in my M99, but 30 Herrett and .30-06s as well. If you PM me your address, I'll send you some of each just to play with. Ed

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Steel plate plinking with open sights 50-200 yards

[RedlegEd]

Hi. The plinkers will easily give you minute of soda can at 50yds with 4gr Bullseye, and they are a real hoot. I'd recommend opening up the flash hole to ~0.096 (#41 drill or 3/32) just to prevent set back. I resized and trimmed a bunch of .308 brass just for this purpose. As the 311414s are GC, you should be able to get out to 200 yds in the velocities you seek if PCd/properly lubed. I just checked my records, and I stand corrected. The 311414 mould I have is actually an NOE clone (311152). But you can see from this group I shot with AA5744, the results aren't too shabby. I haven't crono'd them, so not really sure how quick they're going. I'd guess 1200-1400 fps. Ed
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[lotech]

I haven't had a .300 Savage in a long time, but I had good results (accuracy, feeding, and function) in a Model 81 Remington using the RCBS 30-180 FN design cast of ww alloy or Lyman #2, sized at .310". Best powders were IMR4198, 5744, and Reloder 7. I don't recall if I ever used this bullet in my Savage 99, but I see no reason why it wouldn't have worked well.

[FredBuddy]

Mine likes the Lyman 311008,
powder coated.

A nice 'out for a walk' load
with Trail Boss, Unique or Red Dot.

[Freischütz]

Didn't Ranch Dog develop a mold specifically for the cartridge?

[Outpost75]

The Accurate 31-160H has a short base to crimp length which will fit the short neck on the .300 Savage.

It WILL be necessary to do a chamber cast to determine throat length and diameter and to order the mould with its dimensions tweaked to fit your rifle.

As suggested in my post, if you order the bullet from the online drawing posted, but specify TOLERANCE ON DIAMETERS NEGATIVE, it should be a good fit based on most .300 Savage rifles I have measured.

If you cast bullets from COWW with 2% tin added you should get your desired velocity with 28 grains of 4895, 4064, RL15 or Varget. You will want to tuck 1 grain of loose Dacron fill, a 1-inch square of quilt batting is correct, into the case neck to occupy some of the free airspace in the case. DO NOT push the inert filler down against the powder!

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