Reloader 17 & 300 Savage

[357cyrus]

Does anybody out there have info on using Reloader 17 w/ a 300 savage? I'll be using 165 partitions. QuickLoad tells me w/ my 24" barrel I'll run out of case capacity right before before I reach max pressure. Id like to get at least one piece of published info to compare w/ my QuickLoad info. Normally I'd just call either Nosler or Alliant but they're both closed for the next few days.

[357cyrus]

Daboone, just read yr post on being a "handloader" I've got zero data with this powder/ cartridge combo to work with in any of my 4 manuals.... I think it's a good combo, just too new of a powder in an older unpopular cartridge.

[Ranch Dog]

What rifle are you loading for; kind of wondering if you are limited to the 2.600" length of the 99?

[Ranch Dog]

I ran the combo in QL as well and come up with 107.4% case capacity, 45.8-grains, making an absolute max load. I routinely use 105% with cast bullets and don't have an issue with them sliding out. I would think that the additional friction of a jacketed bullet would not be a problem.

300Savage_165Nosler_R17.jpg

Usually, I charge a 105% capacity case by holding a powder pan several inches over the Lee full. I trickle it down the side of the funnel so it starts spinning into the case. See to get a tighter fit. I also have the MTM funnel with the drop tubes but it seems to me, especially since they are clear tubes, that as the powder decelerates in the drop that it stops swirling and just ends up falling from the center to form a stack.

[357cyrus]

Loading for a 1927 vintage Savage 99 I just picked up a week ago. I'm not sure what the best way to check max OAL for a lever action is. I've done it plenty of times with bolt actions by dropping a bullet into the throat, lightly holding it in place with a pencil eraser, and inserting a dowel rod down the muzzle. I imagine it's probably the same for a lever.

[357cyrus]

Also, glad you mentioned that 105% fill ratio. I've not compressed anything yet so it's new territory for me.

[Ranch Dog]

Loading for a 1927 vintage Savage 99 I just picked up a week ago. I'm not sure what the best way to check max OAL for a lever action is. I've done it plenty of times with bolt actions by dropping a bullet into the throat, lightly holding it in place with a pencil eraser, and inserting a dowel rod down the muzzle. I imagine it's probably the same for a lever.

I no longer have a 99 but I'm pretty sure it is dictated by the magazine's requirement of 2.600" which is the length at which the cartridge was designed around.

Honestly, what I would do is work with it at a 100% load for a bit while you get a feel for it. The 99s can have extraction problems at max pressure.

[Ranch Dog]

The rate of twist and short case neck of the 99 have not been friendly to bullets heavier than 150-grains.

[357cyrus]

Did those 150 round noses work for you? I never had a .308 cal rifle until this one, but I've loaded for a couple and have those 165 partitions here, along with 130 Hornady SP's, and the 180 Core Lokt RN I just pulled from the OLD boxes of ammo that came with the rifle. I called hornady and they said those 130 SP's would be good for deer from 2400-3000fps.
Where I'll be hunting my Dad and Cousin have seen a couple monster bucks in the last week. Dad arrowed a nice 8 pt there a month ago that field dressed at 190lbs, and had puncture wounds and a pretty good limp.... Evidently got beat up by something bigger! Anyway, not sure I wanna be wondering if those 130's are gonna make it through if Mr.Big shows up and won'tt give me a broadside shot. My plan was to keep those 165 Partitions down at 2500fps and 100% capacity (lower PSI like you mentioned) At 200yd they'd still have around 1600ftlb energy, and be 200fps faster than what Nosler claims is minimum speed to make them expand. I'm hoping youre wrong about the twist rate/weight and that the previous owner had 180's because they shot well. He's dead and gone now though and his grandson is the middleman silly enough to trade me that 99 for a cheap philipino made 1911. The 25-06 is ready to go though if I don't get this 300 Savage figured out bewtween now and then.

[357cyrus]

Well I snuck out back to fire 3 shots over the chronograph so id have a baseline to start with. I decided to do 42.5 grains at an estimated 2500fps. Velocity was actually 2315fps. I haven't had a chance to check H2O capacity, but the group at 50 yards was great. The numbers still add up to 1330ft/lb and 1900fps (enough for bullet expansion) at 200 yards, so Im just gonna adjust the sights and use it as is. Should be plenty of thump in the woods!