.308 win, Savage 99... Maxload etc...

I am new to loading for .308 and the Savage 99. I have experience in other calibers and rifles so not new to reloading in general. Anyway my question is... I asked in another forum what a recommended load for 165 grain Nosler partitions would be... I was advised to strive for 2800 FPS. But looking at all the powders in the Hodgedon load data the max recommended loads are going to put me just under 2750fps. What sort of pressures will this Savage 99E handle? Should i be keeping it low key? Could i just start 3/4 up the scale? I was hoping to use the new IMR 4166 powder and from the data, my recommended start load is 40.2 and Max load is 44.9 which is also crushed...

I am looking for use in deer hunting. I My maximum range will be under 300 yards. Most likely the shot will be around 100 yards... I am looking for a load to just make enough to sight in and hunt this season with. Using this box of partitions.

Rather then waste time and bullets trying to figure the rifle out. Has anyone else used this combination of powder/bullet/rifle? What did you figure out?


Thanks in advance

You will learn more about your rifle by making workup loads starting at the suggested starting load and working up.

There are just too many variations in firearms and reloading components to answer your question.

Example, the variations in .223/5.56 case capacity can cause 6,000 psi difference in chamber pressure.

And a accurate load I worked up in my .308 Savage Hog Hunter could be far different in your rifle.

Would you recommend keeping the pressures of the Savage 99 lower? Isn't the .308 win cartridge a newer one that the rifle was chambered in? Can the 99 handle max loads?

The 99 factory chambered in 308win will handle modern pressures no problems. Savage would not of chambered it in 308win/243win/284win if it couldn't handle the pressure.

I would work up in 0.5gr increments starting at 42, 42.5, 43, 43.5, 44, 44.5... 3 shot groups,... that's 18 shots + 3 sighters = 21 total. That leaves you with 79 in the box for hunting.

Here's a little blood on the boots theology for you.
I wouldn't worry about how fast the bullet was moving.
As with any load workup always start at the published start load and work your way up. Whatever gives you the best accuracy be it the start load or the max load will kill deer just fine and that's what I'd use. The deer wont know how fast it's going. I would not start 3/4 of the way up with an unproven load/rifle combination. You might skip your best accuracy node or worse by doing so. There is a reason it's called a starting load.
Personally my go to hunting bullet is the Nosler Accubond. SAAMI Pressure shouldn't be a problem in the 99.