Savage 99, .250 Savage loading questions

[CaliRN]

A buddy of mine recently picked up a gorgeous Savage, made around 1959 in .250 Savage with a 14" twist. He loaded some 75 gr bullets and they shot easily sub MOA. Then he tried the 87 grs and they went about 2", the 90 grs went around 2.5-3.5". I have read (again and again) that the lighter shorter bullets work better in the 14" twist.

Can anyone steer us onto a load for the 87gr bullets that will shoot better than 2"? Here is what he is doing... 1) uniform primer pockets 2) Full length size 3) Trim and chamfer necks 4) load bullets to magazine length.

He is not neck turning, but all go over a variance gage.
Different powders and primers have been tried to no great avail in the 87 gr bullets. He talked to Sinclair and they suggested as a test to cut down the tips of the 90gr bullets to equal the 87grs and that did not show any difference.
Bullets are Sierras, as Nosler said that none of their bullets will work in a '99 with a 14" twist. Well, they will go bang but not be as accurate as desired.

He is a closet BR shooter, and knows this is not a BR gun, but would like to shoot the 90gr bullets and reduce the group size.

Thanks for all your assistance,
CaliRN

[Terry Murbach]

THE SIERRA 87gr SPITZER BULLETS HAVE SHOT VERY WELL IN MY SAVAGE M99 250-3000 RIFLE AND THE M99 250-3000 CARBINE WITH H414 DOING THE WORK. AS A MATTER OF FACT NO OTHER PROPELLENT WAS EVEN CLOSE TO H414 FOR ACCURACY AND VELOCITY WITH EITHER 87gr OR 100gr SPITZER BULLETS. THE DATA IS STRAIGHT FROM THE HODGDON MANUAL AND DO NOT--DO NOT!!-- START WITH THE TOP LOADS. THE STARTING LOADS THEMSELVES ARE FASTER THAN THE TOP LOADS OF ALL OTHER PROPELLENTS I TESTED.

[PaperPatch]

IMR 4320 pushing either Hornady or Speer 87 grain bullets...shoot teency weency groups in my Savage.

[Hecter]

I have several 99's in 250-3000. One will not group heavy bullets with the exception of 87gr. sierra bullets. This bullet will group very well but a speer or hornady in 87grs. will shoot terrible. No idea why but it works for me. 4064 is my choice of powder.

[CaliRN]

Thanks all for your great suggestions!!! Will pass them on to my buddy. He is pulling what few hairs
he has left out!

CaliRN

[Charles]

It has been many years since I messed around with a Savage 99 in 250/3000, but I got excellent accuracy with the 87 grain Sierra spitzer and 4064 powder. Accuracy was in the 1 to 1.5 MOA range.

[Old Savage]

Are you sure about the twist? My 1954 has the faster twist. Shoots 100 grain bullet great.

[CaliRN]

Sir,
He measured the twist as closely as possible and came up with 1:14".

Thanks to all who replied, your responses have been passed on to my pal, and now its
up to him to work out a load.

CaliRN