Anyone have a favorite load this would be for a Savage99 that was my uncles which I plan on using for deer.

It shoots the factory stuff well but considering the cost and that there is not much of a selection to choose from I would like to try some other loads to see what it can do

I don't load for the .300 but my son has one. The 99 is a slick running machine. I seem to recall that the combination of slow twist barrels and cartridge overall length limit bullet selection. Short neck and limited case capacity come into play also. I think 150s are the preferred bullet-180s have to be short to stabilize. That's my recollection anyway. A good cartridge that was a very early choice for a lot of hunters. it's been around for about a century.

We always used either 150 or 180. We considered the 180 to be better in brush, but I am not sure there was much difference. We had one that would shoot reloads ok, but the other one would hang up with expanded casings. We were only novices on reloads so there probably was something we should have done to the casings and they might have worked in both.

If you haven't bought dies yet, make sure you get small base versions. The 99 can be finicky with brass that isn't resized properly. Definitely start with 150gr bullets in the 300 Savage. I have 2 99s and a Remington 700 and really like the caliber.

you'd be wise to join us at www.handloadersbench.com and ask for info for your specific rifle

Bringing back up. I have an opportunity to use a Savage 99 in.300 savage to hunt with now. I was wondering what would be a good realistic range, 2,3, 400 yard gun. Would IMR 4350 be a decent powder to start with for 150 gr. bullets? thanks

Depends on what you're hunting but for deer and pigs I would start with a decent 150 grain bullet. No need for premium since they aren't moving too fast. You can never go wrong with a Nosler Partition but there are other good options that are cheaper. I like the Hornady. You can probably find some data for 4350 but my go to was 4895 followed by 4064, about one grain less than max. There are several newer powders that would work that you may want to check out if you don't already have powder on hand. A quick search of some of the bullet websites will give you good data and ideas for powders.

I reload for one, and have for years. Some of the bullets I like are Hornady 150 SST and 180 round nose. The 300 has a very short neck so I try to choose shorter bullets. I have never used small base dies for the 300s and Ive loaded for a few of them with no issues.

I don't have any experience with the 300 Savage but always thought it to be an interesting cartridge and the 99 is certainly a Classic. Being a lever gun I would try to keep pressures to the moderate side of things. From the Hodgdon data the velocities run from 2400 to just under 2600 fps using a 150 grain Partition. The loads I see from Hodgdon using 180 Hornadt SP don't even break 2400 fps. IMHO that would put it in the realm of a 308 lite. Perfect for deer, black bear, and hogs at 200 or so yards, with a decent amount of practice 300 would be reasonable. I think IMR 4350 would be too slow, it's even too slow in a 308. If I were playing with a 300, I would be working with IMR 3031, 4064, and 4895. Your mileage may vary. Always, always check your recognized loading manual. Using a classic 99 would be just as much fun as load development. A side note, check the barrel twist rate. Might not be fast enough for a long for caliber bullet.

Been shooting the 300 Savage for 50yrs. and loading for 40yrs. IMO 200 yrd shots are very doable and further is possible under the right circumstances. I prefer 180gr. but that is just me. My guns like the 4350, 4064, Win. 740 or 760. I'd have to look at my records to be sure. For the way I hunt the 300 does everything I need.

My Savage 99 is accurate with the Nosler 125 accubond and W748.

https://www.nosler.com/300-savage

Thanks for the info. I have the RCBS 1510F 2 set dies. I'm no expert at reloading, but been doing it for a few years. I have a couple of older boxes of ammo, just thought I would go ahead and be ready to load some of my own.

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We have a Rem. 722 in 300 Sav. I loaded 150 grain Sierra Gamekings with IMR 4895. Wish we had another one. We have taken antelope, whitetails and an elk with it.