99 reloads

[Monkeymaster]

Hello
Question to99 owners who reload.
Do you use the reloading manual OAL or do you try to set the bullets .02 to .03 off the lands like a bolt gun.
?
I am well aware of making the rounds fit in the rotary mag, but 99,s that I currently own, tend to not have any issue with that.
I usually try to set the bullets .2 to.3 off the lands and have decent to good results, just curious what others do.
I also understand 99s shoot minute of deer and they are not bench rest rifles, I however, do want my 99s to be as accurate as they can be.
Thank you.

[BobT]

For the 99 I typically stay pretty close to the recommended OAL but as long as they work through the magazine you are good to go.

[Savage 94C]

For the 99 I typically stay pretty close to the recommended OAL but as long as they work through the magazine you are good to go.

Pretty much as I do with my two 250's and one 300 Savage 99's. Load only Hornady 75 grain plastic tips and Speer/Sierra 87 grain SP's in the 250's and 150 grain Speer SP's in the 300. Playing around some with cast bullets also in both calibers. So far I haven't worked up loads where every shot is 1" MOA or less but they are all close. As BobT mentioned, I go by what the loading manual recommends for whatever bullet I'm using. The short neck of both calibers do restrict things a bit.

Being the 99 model isn't able to tack driving accuracy like a bolt gun can produce I'm pretty satisfied with what accuracy I do get, although I always strive for those clover leaf groups. Since I can't hunt deer here in Iowa with either caliber, they are just expensive target guns, fun ones at that. Although I do take my 99G 250 with Stith mounts and Vintage Weaver 4x scope out once in a while coyote hunting. leaving my Savage .223 and Ruger 250 Savage bolt guns at home. The 99G can reach out and hit the mark.

[Model24]

I’ve hesitated to comment because I haven’t hand loaded for either of my 99s (243 & 300 Sav) yet. Regarding the short neck issues, my plan is to go monolithic. A Copper or Guilding Metal bullet will be longer than a jacketed bullet of the same weight. 150 Gr Nosler E-tips in .308 have been out of stock since COVID, so it’s kinda delayed my plans.

[snoeproe]

So far I’ve been loading to COAL in the book. I’m still new to reloading for my 300 savage but so far so good. 150gr round nose and varget powder.

[Savage 94C]

I love Varget powder. Besides the 300 Savage, I use it in 250 Savage, 30/06, and .223/5.56mm. Clean burning, accurate. IMR 3031 and RL15 also work well (accurate) in my 250/300 Savage rds. IMO Varget reminds me of Unique powder for handgun reloads. Wide range of calibers and bullet applications available, hope Varget never goes away.