I picked up a beautiful Savage 99C in 308 with a muzzle brake & 3 mags yesterday. I was hunting a deer gun for a young left-handed friend when I found the 99 in an estate sale. The lefty
decided on a new bolt gun. I wanted a 99 so badly when I was in college I couldn't resist this one and bought it for myself.
So what is the twist rate?
What factory ammo/bullet wt. do you experienced lever shooters recommend for whitetail inside 200 yrds?
Will it shoot the new reduced recoil .308 ammo well?
What else should I have asked?

The gun is marked Model 99C series A and the
serial number is B017335. It's got a great trigger and carries a Redfield 3x9x32 on Weaver mounts. I feel like I've stepped into a time machine. Now if I can only get my hair and some of my knee cartilledge back...

You have bought a really nice rifle.

.308 rifles are generally 1:12, as is my .300 Savage, so I'd bet money yours is 1:12 also. that means 180 grains is about the max, but the slower twist (versus 1:10 for a .30-06) means it will stabilize light, 100 gr varmint bullets too.

For a deer rifle, either the 150 or 180 grain factory ammo will work fine. Just don't get any of the max load stuff like the Hornady Light Magnum, as the 99 action isn't as strong as a bolt.

Never tried the Managed Recoil ammo, but it should do great.

Loading .308 cases with Nosler Partition 170 gr. flat point .30-30 bullets has brought real good DRT results for some. That flat bullet really stops them.

My 10 year old , well he is 11 now, nephew and I have both killed deer and wild pigs with the Remington 308 Managed Recoil 125gr load.

It kills very well, as good as any 150-180gr 308 ammo that I have used.

According to Remington it has less recoil that factory 243.

In 4 different 308 bbls it hits right with the 165/ 168gr ammo I normaly use, at 100 yards.

Federal also makes a Low Recoil 308, and a 30-06 load with a 170gr bullet. I have killed deer and wild pigs with load in my 30-06 drilling with great results as well.

Thanks N E 450 No2I hadn't even noticed the Federal light loads. I might try them but if the 125's shoot I'm sure they'll work fine on Virginia whitetail. Have you tiried the managed recoil loads do at 150 or 200 yards?