My Savage '99

[Retro]

A while ago I worked up a load that works well in my Savage 99 in 300 Savage (S335, a local powder, so I won't bore you with details .

I saw that I had four loaded rounds left, and wanted to make 50 cases so I could reload all 50 at the same time.



Four shots off a rest, open sights, 50m, 23mm.

I (*heart*) my Savage.

[Nath]

Thats good going, well done.

In the picture that case looks like it has swollen just ahead of the case head!!! Is it ok?

Nath.

[kimwcook]

Looking good. And, as Nath said, looks like your case is bulged.

[Retro]

That's an artifact of my reloading dies that I'm trying to figure out. The die only goes that far down, it's more of a trick of the light than a bulge. Although I can feel a slight ridge on some of the cases.

Edit : These are new cases, twice fired (checked my records). They looked like this before firing the second time. It could be that the chamber is large and the case is expanding more than the dies can resize? (it's a 2400-2450 fps round, 168 grain bullet).

Dies are CH4D. Maybe I should drop Dave an email, he sounds like a very nice fellow.

If I resize with a 308 die it straightens the case nicely but I suspect it might affect the neck end if I'm not careful... dunno...

I'll load up a few new cases and inspect / measure for this problem specifically.

[Marc]

If they chamber easily with the bulge I would not change a thing. More sizing will only shorten case life.

Nice group!

[Old Savage]

That is the way they will shoot - nice shooting.

[brno602]

Simply the best, ya my personal opinion lever gun made. Years beyond it's time the 300 savage. I get 2550fps with a 165gr as my average load with a Nosler BT bullet.Just such a nice gun to shoot.
I have a Rem 700 Classic in 300 Savage I had the throat made longer, Stick your bullets out and it will = the .308.

[Nath]

Can you do a chamber cast?

Was not 308W based on the 300Savage?

N.

[Retro]

So maybe I've found the "problem" -- you guys please comment.

Cartridges of the world gives the 300 Savage rim at .473, base at .470 and shoulder at .448.

My new RP brass measures .466, .464 and .440.

That's not a whole lot of difference, but it might be enough to cause a bulge?

Anyways, I'm just going to shoot the thing like Marc said

[Marc]

The .466" base diameter is typical for RP brass in any of the -06 based cartridges. Military brass is the only brass I have found that is .470". My 444 Marlin brass measures .464". And so we live with the bulge.