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Posted: 5/21/2026 11:24:57 AM EDT
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Made some progress yesterday with the Savage 99c, 1990's mag fed. Been trying to figure out what it likes. Got some decent groups finally, using suggested various loads. This is 87 grain v-max but not what I want for deer.  Pretty similar group using 90 grain speer soft points with 37.4 grains of Varget. But I was getting pressure signs (flattened primers) and the cases were getitng stuck in the chamber. This was a suggested accuracy load from the Sierra manual and shows as the max load. Primary loading info I was using was Sierra and Nosler and there was almost 2 grains variation on max loadings for just about every combo. No damage to the case. Is this normal for the 99? Seems like it blew the extractor off the rim and I could not get it to catch again for extraction, had to use a rod to tap it out. |
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OK, USA
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Since you stated you're getting flat primers & sticking, back off max loading. It's a lever rifle, not a bolt rifle. Start at base published load, then work up a little at a time until you find a safe load your rifle can handle. Got a 99e in 308win. it won't handle max published reloads, cases stick & won't eject. so I Load middle published load for 180gr from speer reloading 11. Open sight, it's accurate enough for a good woods deer & hog rifle. |
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Originally Posted By Ndenway1twicetimes: Since you stated you're getting flat primers & sticking, back off max loading. It's a lever rifle, not a bolt rifle. Start at base published load, then work up a little at a time until you find a safe load your rifle can handle. Got a 99e in 308win. it won't handle max published reloads, cases stick & won't eject. so I Load middle published load for 180gr from speer reloading 11. Open sight, it's accurate enough for a good woods deer & hog rifle. It's been a challenge so far. The few times I've shot it is has be 2 to 2.5 moa. That's to the point that I'm not comfortable taking longer shots which is what I want out of a 243. I've read that they are a strong action so I thought I would be good with published loads and this is the first time having the issue with the sticking cases. So now I know. I was actually online this morning to see if I could find a manual for a 99C in PDF to no avail. Wanted to see if there was any info on ammo pressures. |
Joined:
Jan 2023
Posts:
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OK, USA
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As I said, for me, my 99e's a good woods hunting rifle and handles published middle 180gr loads fine. If I'm hunting in open ground or target shooting, I'll use a scoped bolt rifle, most of my bolt rifles will handle max 308win loads. |
| I'm just starting to load for my Savage 99C series A .308. What I've found is that Service rifle loads are considered safe for the 99. Since I have lots BLC-2, I'm going to use that with 165 Gr. Sierra Bullets. |
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