Stabilizing modern bullets in a 1 in 14 inch old model 1899

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Fisher-Dude

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Looking for anyone's experience with loading longer modern bullets in a 102 year old Savage 1899 in 250/3000.

With the slow twist rate of 1 in 14" of the old Savages, the Berger twist rate calculator shows poor stability for anything much longer than a 1.000" stubby 100 grain.

Has anyone had any luck shooting longer bullets in these old rifles, say E-tips, TTSXs, Accubonds, etc? Even 100 grain Partitions show less than stellar stability when run through the calculator.


Thanks.
 
Mine would shoot the old CIL /Dominion 100gr KKSP's the shortest modern 100gr is Speer charge was 30 gr IMR 3031.
 
NO.

I like the 250-3000 round. So don't think I'm biased.

The older 250-3000 chambered rifles were never designed to do what you are looking for. They were designed to shoot 87 grain bullets over 3000 fps out of 26 inch barrels with powders that were much faster than what we would use today. They didn't need a faster twist rate to accomplish this.

The best thing you can do to achieve your goals is to use heavy jacket, flat base bullets, withe lead cores, weighing around 100-105 grains. These will be Premium bullets and pricier than most offerings.

These Premium bullets perform every bit as well as their heavier counterparts, when it comes to penetration and expansion IMHO.

You're only other option is to rebarrel with a faster twist rate, suitable for longer bullets.
 
I found only a few bullets that would shoot well out of my 1-14" .250 savage 99. Speer 87 gr. hot cor PSP with various powders. Speer 100 grain hot cor PSP with maximum loads of only a couple powders. And if I drove it fast enough with a max charge of W760, a 117gr. Hornady RN. That's it.
 
I use 100 g hornady interlock in mine. Iam not to conserned about accuracy as long as it’s not key holing. If it’s 2” group good enough for a 100yr old rifle
 
I was getting under an inch................won't work mehhhh ? If Author Savage had listened to Newton in the first place it would have been made with a ROT suitable for all 100gr bullets.
 
The gun has always shot a 100 grain factory CoreLokt in acceptable accuracy for an old time lever (1.5" or so @ 100 yards).

I have a few CoreLokt component bullets, but finding a supply of Rem components these days is pretty much impossible.

Hence the search for something I can actually buy and load that is comparable to the factory CL.
 
Mine is a 1915 production with the slow twist, and I've had my best groups with the Sierra 90 grain bullet (I think it's a hollow point, but would have to check) over 32 grains of H4895, and over 37 grains of IMR4350 ... both around 1". Best I could do with the 100grain Hornady interlock was about 1 1/4" pushed by 30grains of IMR 4064. Sorry, but my old notes are sketchy, and my memory even worse. If you're really interested, I could probably hunt up some labelled rounds to be more certain of the details ... though I don't think the Sierras or the interlocks are considered "longer" bullets.
 
I had a .250 with a 1-10" twist at one time. On a whim I tried 115 gr. X-bullets out of it, these were the old, original style. Out of 10 rounds, 3 hit the 18x24" backboard, and they went through the paper sideways.
 
The 1920 is also 1-14 ............the first mt rifle sporter.I have been after Nosler to make an 85-87gr Partition.
 
Barnes makes a 80 grain TTSX as well as a 100 grain TSX and TTSX. I see hornady also has a 90 grain GMX. I don't know if yours would stabilize the 100 grain but it shouldn't have much trouble with the 80 and 90 even if they are solid copper?
 
Markus said:
Barnes makes a 80 grain TTSX as well as a 100 grain TSX and TTSX. I see hornady also has a 90 grain GMX. I don't know if yours would stabilize the 100 grain but it shouldn't have much trouble with the 80 and 90 even if they are solid copper?
Click to expand...

Stabilization is a function of RPM and length of the bullet. A longer bullet is more difficult to stabilize. A copper bullet is longer than a lead core bullet of the same weight, so a copper bullet is to be avoided.

Look for a flat based bullet, with a round nose or a semi-spritzer.

And for max velocity, a slower powder like 760, H414 or 4350 would be better than 4064.
 
Looks like I'll be sticking with a 100 gr CoreLokt for my reloading, old school! Or maybe live on the edge and try a 100 gr PT, as I did find a write up where a fellow used them quite successfully in an 1899.

Thanks everyone for their input, even Bartell. ;)

Anyone have a bunch of 100 gr .257 CoreLokts they want to get rid of?
 
The shortest 100gr bullet ogive profile is Speer and will shoot from a 1-14.Hornady's 100gr went through the paper sideways.
 
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