.308 Savage 99E for Moose?
- Thread starter NathanR
- Start date
A 180 gr lead bullet is the most frequently recommended bullet for moose hunting with the 300 Savage. That being said, I have put together a Barnes 165 gr load. I just like the idea of a little more speed, and a bit flatter trajectory, in case Bullwinkle appears a fair ways out in a cut block. I restrict my 99s to fair weather use, and I've not yet had the chance to actually let fly at moose with one - usually rains/snows when I plan to go out! I know the load is accurate in my 99EG though, and I have plenty of faith that the 165gr Barnes would be up to the task.
A 180 grain standard bullet will be plenty. I wouldn't take the chance on a premium bullet at middle velocities.
All 10 if my moose have been taken quickly and cleanly with 180 grain expanders - the last four with ballistic tips.
All 10 if my moose have been taken quickly and cleanly with 180 grain expanders - the last four with ballistic tips.
with the velocity you will get i would be using a 180grn cup and core bullet like hornady interbond. not sure you would get enough speed to use a tsx as heavy as 180. that 180 tsx is pretty long and slow for a 308 out of a savage with a 1 in 12 twist. if you want unleaded i would drop down to 150 grn tsx, faster and would still penetrate well.
Asked same question on the 24hourcampfire site (gunwriters forum) but I limited my question to Barnes bullets. 150 TTSX or 165 TTSX (or any monolithic) were both endorsed, with the slight edge given to the 150 because its faster speed and the distance parameters I offered (i.e., within 100 yards most likely BUT 250-300 yards not out the question).
- Location
- Calgary, Alberta
I have the same rifle model and caliber, 165 or 180 will do fine. I had trouble with feeding pointed bullets. They would hang up on the end of the barrel in the receiver. A little grinding the end of the shank and i could use pointed bullets instead of the round nose.
The Hornady 180gr. Interlock BTSP over a near max charge of Reloader 15 as proven to be moa to sub-moa in damned near all .308 Winchester Rifles I have tried. Always use the published starting loads and work up slowly!
I use 165 hornady SPBTs with 45grains of IMR4350 or H4350 and a CCI 250 large primer in my Savage 99F or 99C you will be good out to 600 yards if you choose to do so at 300 yards it is a champ this load has taken home the meat every time with NO searching afterwards.You will be at 2650 FPS out of the muzzle.
- Location
- Somewhere on the Hudson Bay Coast
You can't go wrong with a 180 gr lead core bullet in the .308. If you intend to use a mono-metal bullet, the 165 or even a 150 might prove to be a better choice due to the short cartridge length dictated by the 99's magazine length. Really you give up little over the 180 gr due to the higher impact velocity of the lighter bullet over normal hunting ranges.
It should be pointed out that Stewart Edward White took his custom .30/06 rifle to Africa when that cartridge was so new that 150 gr FMJ ammo loaded to 2700 fps was all that was available to him. Despite that, much large game was harvested including eland which really do weigh a ton as opposed to moose which do not, and few animals required a second shot. Now most of us cannot match White's field marksmanship which was said to be 2 MOA regardless of conditions or his state of exertion which is truly amazing, but todays expanding bullets are much better than his pointed 150 gr FMJs. So it follows that a 150 gr TSX that remains stable throughout its penetration of the target trumps a 150 gr FMJ that becomes unstable upon impact, and remains unstable until it swaps ends allowing the heavier base to lead the way; by which time much velocity has been lost, and the path through the target has become unpredictable.
So my recommendation is a 150 or 165 gr TSX or a 180 gr lead core bullet for your .308.
It should be pointed out that Stewart Edward White took his custom .30/06 rifle to Africa when that cartridge was so new that 150 gr FMJ ammo loaded to 2700 fps was all that was available to him. Despite that, much large game was harvested including eland which really do weigh a ton as opposed to moose which do not, and few animals required a second shot. Now most of us cannot match White's field marksmanship which was said to be 2 MOA regardless of conditions or his state of exertion which is truly amazing, but todays expanding bullets are much better than his pointed 150 gr FMJs. So it follows that a 150 gr TSX that remains stable throughout its penetration of the target trumps a 150 gr FMJ that becomes unstable upon impact, and remains unstable until it swaps ends allowing the heavier base to lead the way; by which time much velocity has been lost, and the path through the target has become unpredictable.
So my recommendation is a 150 or 165 gr TSX or a 180 gr lead core bullet for your .308.
If you are going to use the Barnes, GMX or E-Tip, Boomer is pretty close to spot on. These bullets do work (I should say the Barnes) in the lower velocity range (contrary to common BS I have had no issue with the TTSX/TSX expanding reliably in the 1800-2600fps range) but really shine when started at 2900fps + and when impacts are above 2700fps.
That said, a 150gr TTSX out of the .308 at 2900fps is going to act just like a 300 Win Mag did 15 years ago with a 180-200gr bullet, but better at short range. There will be no "explode'ms" in the shoulder and such.
One other bullet I failed to mention but really like, against common opinion again, is the 180gr RN Corelokt. That is an accurate bullet that will more than do the job, flat enough to 250 yds surely.
That said, a 150gr TTSX out of the .308 at 2900fps is going to act just like a 300 Win Mag did 15 years ago with a 180-200gr bullet, but better at short range. There will be no "explode'ms" in the shoulder and such.
One other bullet I failed to mention but really like, against common opinion again, is the 180gr RN Corelokt. That is an accurate bullet that will more than do the job, flat enough to 250 yds surely.
