Looking for a .358 Win. Savage 99. See Classifieds. Just wondering if I find a .284 Winchester in a Savage 99 wouldn't it be interesting to go to .35 or .375 with that case. I have seen data in the .35 version recently. Somewhere in an old gun annual there was a writer who had the .375 version made on the 99. I remember thinking at the time that would be an excellent pork thumper. I like carbines and the fact that the larger bores give up less whapp than small bores in shorter barrels. I can see getting some dies for my Corbin press to make a short for weight flat nose .375 bullet. Could easily bond the core before swaging it. Lots of ideas but the gun has to come first. Any pros or cons on these wildcats? Pak
Since there is a short supply of 99's in .358 Win it's going to cost money to get or make one unless you are lucky.
The last one I got was about 1988 and I paid $350 from a dealer. Just keep "hunting" for one. You may come across one by chance.
As to a wildcat I am sure you know that it will cost you. It will be hundreds for the barrel and work and then it will be worth less than before! But rifles are not a big commitment and fun to think about. Perhaps everyone should have one wildcat. I am down on them as I have three so maybe that's my limit that's all.
You don't need to make short bullets for .375 as there are some out there now but since you have the press go ahead. But as far as .358 vrs .375 goes I don't think there is much advantage considering the expansion ratio of even the .284 case. Good bullets are now available in both calibers. For that short action I would go with the .35 cal.
I saw a new factory .358 Savage 99F bbl for sale a couple of years ago. Keep looking.
There was write up in a mid 70's or early 80's gun digest about a guy doing exactly that converting a 284 sav to a 375 284 I don't remember. what year for sure but he seem to like it. If you could find the article yo could get some good info.
Posts: 19835 | Location: wis | Registered: 21 April 2001
I'm a far gone 35 nut, so would definately choose the 35-284. Your performance will basically be that of a 35 whelen, and most all 35 bullets are geared towards the whelen, though in a carbine lever gun, I'd simply use the 250 gr hornady rn.
Posts: 7213 | Location: Alaska | Registered: 27 February 2001
When rechambering a Savage 99 you have to be careful of the rotary magazine spool. It is shaped for a particular cartridge and will probably have to be modified (carefully). I did two conversions to .358 using the detachable mag 99C model to avoid this. I had no problem using .358 in a .308 mag.
You wanna shoot my 358 99? Are you in texas?. You dont need anything more, I'll even give you really good loads for it. Thing is, you'll have to start with a 284 99, for the mag, and then work out the details. The 358 99 is a nice thumper, and has been the "give it to the newbie" gun of my for years.
The guy I used to work for had a 375-284 chambered by JD Jones in a Thomson Encore pistol configuration. Damn thing kicked like a mule and felt like it broke my wrist. Only shot it once. That was enought. Would be a great cartridge in a rifle not a pistol. Good luck.
Posts: 99 | Location: Blue Springs, MO | Registered: 14 March 2002
Oh and just a reminder. Brass doesn't last very long. The neck is too thin once formed. Generally cracks under heat and pressure. Might have to aneal the cases once formed. I think the problem we had was the brass work hardend and became a little brittle. Nice cartridge though. If I remember right the bullet chronographed at 2550 with a 250 grain Sierra bullet. Might be better if you went with a 35-284 so the brass will last longer.
Posts: 99 | Location: Blue Springs, MO | Registered: 14 March 2002
That article was in Handloader's Digest, as I recall somewhere between the 8th and 10th editions. While I won't swear to it, I believe the author started with the Savage in .375 Win. Not sure what he did about the magazine. Will report back after checking the archives.
quote:Originally posted by Deaddog1440: Oh and just a reminder. Brass doesn't last very long. ....
Hey Pak, I agree, but the biggest problem will be with Casehead separations in the M99. It is an outstanding rifle in the calibers it was chambered in with "factory ammo". And you can usually improve the accuracy a bit with loading your own.
But, the "Rear Lock-Up" causes the cases to stretch once you load them above 300Sav pressure levels. That is just the way life is with Rear Lock-Ups.
So, I'd recommend you stick with a standard caliber based on the 308Win case. Then use Once-Fired Military cases to help prolong the case life whether you stick with the 308Win or open it to 358Win.
If you want a hotter Wildcat, the M99 is just not the best rifle for it.
Posts: 9920 | Location: Carolinas, USA | Registered: 22 April 2001
Hot Cor The 35-300 would be loaded to .300 pressure levels and the 35-284 to the proper 284 level of pressure. The two won't get mixed. I think brass life would be ok with either of the wildcats mentioned if loaded to proper levels and sized and annealed when needed. Thanks again. This has been enlightening. PAK
quote:Originally posted by packrattusnongratus: ...I think brass life would be ok with either of the wildcats mentioned if loaded to proper levels and sized and annealed when needed. Thanks again. This has been enlightening.
Hey PAK, Apparently I wasn't "enlightening enough". The M99 in 358WIn using Once-Fired Military cases to form them works quite well, especially with the 200gr Hornady SP Part# 3510.
I hunted with a group back in the late 60's that (using those bullets and "pulled-down" 308Win powder) made 66 straight 1-shot kills on Black Bear, Deer and Hogs. Six 358Win M99s were in that group of folks and they were outstanding rifles. We did not load them overly hot, but still experienced some stretch at the Casehead. Just had to use the old bent paper-clip trick to know when to trash the cases.
We also had some M99s in 308Win and they were luckly to get 4 shots per case before Incipient Casehead Separation relegated those cases to the trash. The 308Win cases lasted longer in the M14s we would check out of the Armory to hunt with.
That is not to say you won't have neck problems if the M99 chamber's neck diameter is cut on the high side of the tolerance. But, in my experience with M99s, you will have Casehead Separations (or Incipient Casehead Separations if you are paying attention) l-o-n-g before you will need to worry about annealing necks, irregardless of the caliber.
On the negative side, I just hate to see a person waste the time and effort to go through forming a bunch of expensive 284Win cases and then get 3-5 shots per case.
On the positive side, it isn't me wasting the time, effort and money, so... best of luck to you as you go forward with the projects.
Posts: 9920 | Location: Carolinas, USA | Registered: 22 April 2001
It's true that there will be web stretching in a 99 but it's a lot better than three shots! I guess my 99's in .358 Win get at least ten reloads per case. Of course this depends upon your standards vrs mine. If can feel a slight groove I say it's OK. If the groove is really deep then I throw it out. I have been doing this for 50 years and it's worked out fine. To be sure of what you know is good or bad you should saw some cases in half to establish a standard.
I would not use military cases in a .358 Win M-99 because of the reduced capacity but I bet they will last longer.
Also this case life thing depends upon how good the FL die is and how fussy you are. I separate the loads between the three .358 Wins that I have as all the headspaces are different.
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