Reloading for Savage 99

[93marshooter]

My "new " Savage 99 in 243. I got a Lee classic loader which just neck resizes. Will Thad do for the Savage? It works for a bolt gun, will it work for the lever?

[Old Savage]

It may work if you keep the pressures down - under 45,000 I would say but the 99 action will let the brass distort too much. That is what happens with the 300 and 250 Savages.

[ollogger]

At one time I loaded 3 99s with the lee tool, but cases had to come from the same gun

it worked for me

ollogger

[Old Savage]

How hot did you load?

[Griff]

It should, if the fired brass comes from that gun.

[93marshooter]

If you use the data supplied with the Lee it usually well below max. I don't do max loads anyhow. It's not worth the risk. That is my plan to use brass used in the gun. It's is only 243 I have.

[BenT]

I reload for a 99 in 308. It has a real tight chamber. So when sizing brass I turn my sizing die in the press farther than normal to make sure the shoulder is pushed back to the max. Other wise I wouldn't be able to close the bolt all the way.

[ollogger]

How hot did you load?

Mosly bout 2 gr. over a starting load, 303 sav. 300 sav. & 308 I think the 303 tool was
a Mecquan? I would say you should keep pressure modest

ollogger

[Old Savage]

That falls in line with what I found with the 300 Savage and the Model 99. 250 was the same.

[Don McDowell]

You can find out real quick if it'll work or not. See if an empty fired in that rifle will fully chamber and let the lever and bolt close. If it will then you're home free, if it won't and you have to pop the case out with a cleaning rod, then you know you need to get a press and dies.

H414 powder will be your friend with the 243.

[93marshooter]

I am using 32 grs. Of IMR 4895 for 100 gr sierra bullets It is from Sierra load data. It is a near minimum load for about 2500 fps.

[cshold]

My "new " Savage 99 in 243. I got a Lee classic loader which just neck resizes. Will Thad do for the Savage? It works for a bolt gun, will it work for the lever?

OOOO NOOO not the dreaded .243 Win. Say it aint so…

A great rifle in an awsome round in my book

[Mainehunter]

You should be fine as long you keep the pressures in check. I have a couple of 99's myself but do full length size the cases.

Mainehunter

[93marshooter]

I did get to the range for a 100 yard test of this load 100 gr Sierra soft point over 32 gr of imr 4895. The 99 could use a lot better trigger!!!!

[Sixgun]

It's not worth the risk.

There is no risk, it either chambers or it don't.

A set of regular dies only cost $25.

[93marshooter]

The brass was full length sized. It chambered and fired with no problem. I was not happy with this grouping but it is a start.

[Don McDowell]

4895 is a poor choice for powder in the 243. 4064,4350,4831 are all long standing favorites, but the last 20 years or so I've found H414 to be the best in my rifle.

[M. M. Wright]

99 actions are kinda "stretchy" and hot rodding loads in them is a no no. For years I used a 99 in 250 and tried to wring the last foot per second out of it, partly because that is where it gave the best accuracy. Absolutely had to full length resize it or figure out a way to index it back in the chamber correctly.
The 243 cases stretch badly and they will need trimming after 3 or 4 loadings. Maybe sooner. Ackley Improved 243 just never stretches. You get a few more fps too.
Ditto on the H414. I use it in the 220 Swift too.

[93marshooter]

The Sierra data list imr4895 32gr as a minimum charge. I used it cause powder is scares and that is what I had most of. I may stick to commercial ammo until the supply "drought" lets up. I will be looking for a die set. Lots of good advice. I strictly avoid hot roding loads. The middle is usually my top.