Older gun - never have reloaded for it. Do you need to have the small base dies for this or just full length resize?

I've heard you need to do one of the above in order to make sure the rounds feed and can be ejected from the chamber.

Thanks!

I just use a standard full length resizing dies for my Model 99 in 243. I've never had any issues with it.

I used to load for a 99 in 243. The action is springy. Head separations after one reloading were the rule. Head-space measured OK.

quote:

Originally posted by Sendero Ag:
Older gun - never have reloaded for it. Do you need to have the small base dies for this or just full length resize?

I've heard you need to do one of the above in order to make sure the rounds feed and can be ejected from the chamber.

Thanks!

I use Small Base dies for once fired or range brass. If you are using new brass there should be no need for Small Base dies.

I've loaded for my old 99 in 243 for decades with just a standard FL sizer... but every rifle is different.
Zeke

Thanks very much for all the help !

Sendero Ag

We live in a plus and minus manufacturing world and our chambers and dies vary in size. I have a standard Lee .223 die that sizes my cases smaller in diameter than my RCBS small base die. In Mr. Zediker's book on competitive shooting he tells you the following about full length resizing.

1. Measure a new unfired case at several points along the body of the case
2. Fire the case and remeasure at the same points.
3. Resize the case and at these same points the case should be at least .003 smaller and preferably .005 smaller for reliable extraction.

I have seven different .223/5.56 dies, two body dies, three full length dies and two neck sizing dies and each one is different in its dimensions. So you can buy a standard full length die that sizes the case more than a small base die. And pick up another die sitting next to it that sizes the case far less.

I reloaded for my uncles Savage 99 in 300 savage with a standard RCBS full length die and never had a problem. BUT remember also that todays quality control is run by the stock holders and the size of their money is all that matters.

I load 308 no problem with regular dies.

I have a Model 99M. I need small base dies.

To determine if your 99 needs them, resize a bunch of brass and chamber them. Its pretty obvious if the action does not lock up. If you are not sure, try to dry fire it. I was running about 25% unable to close the action.

After I started to small base size the cases, I still cycled every one through the rifle prior to reloading. After a few hundred, I am satisfied that small base sizing provides 100% acceptable cases, in MY rifle.

I've been loading for Savage lever guns for the last 40 years, including examples that spanned the entire spectrum of the models. Never did I have to resort to small base dies among the couple dozen of them.

As for the action being springy, that is true on a small level. If one is getting head separations on the first firing I submit that headspace is sloppy, loads are way too hot, or both. Period. No matter what. (Unless there is severely compromised brass in play.) It should not happen on the first firing. Ever. The 99 action is a teensy bit springy, but not that springy.

I have been loading for my present .308 mod. 99F Savage since maybe 1950?? whenever they came out with it, and I had to have one..

All RCBS .308 dies are small base albeit they don't state that unless you call them on the phone asking the same question you mention..

I load a Savage 2 grs. below book max with most powders however my best loads have consistently been 48 grs of WW-748, with most 150 gr. bullets, and 45.5 to 46.0 grs. with the 180 gr. Nosler, my elk bullet at 2600 FPS.

If a mod. 99 .308 is separating its cases then its not the "springie action" its inproper handloading, perhaps the chamber is a maximum chamber.. Its usually advisablel to full length resize rounds fired in a mod. 99, but not always. Go slowly resizing the case..I do this by blackening the neck with a match, and starting with the die turned back a full turn and size it down a bit at a time until its ever so slightly snug fitted to the chamber (just a tad of resistence) shoot a few of them, then set the shoulder back just a tad more until I get a custom fit..if you separate a case after that then you are shooting too much powder so back off a grain or two.

Also applies to about any lever or auto action. I load my win. 94s the same way and its usual for me to shoot them at 2 grs. below book max to increase brass life if nothing else and that 50 FPS will never be a detriment to killing power or trajectory.

Ray you are spot on with that advise! Also a lot of 99,s have larger chambers, on my 99 F .308 Win its large and on a late model 99 A in .250 Savage its chamber was large. So you have to size the brass to chamber and keep loads moderate.

quote:

Originally posted by Fjold:
I just use a standard full length resizing dies for my Model 99 in 243. I've never had any issues with it.

quote:

Originally posted by kk alaska:
Ray you are spot on with that advise! Also a lot of 99,s have larger chambers, on my 99 F .308 Win its large and on a late model 99 A in .250 Savage its chamber was large. So you have to size the brass to chamber and keep loads moderate.

Actually small base dies on a large chamber dies will cause more problems than help.