My Savage 99 .30-30 feeds flawlessly with ammo loaded to 2.500” COL. This has the bullets .060” off the rifling, and the bullet bases below the case neck. Groups with 33 gns 748 and 32 gns LeveRevolution (LVR) at around 2200 fps have averaged about 2.7” at 100 meters. A couple of heavier 34 gn LVR 2300 fps loads averaged 3.5”. Bullets are 175 gn #U321297HP sized down to .312”. Weight is with gas check. Shooting is with Leupold VX1 scope on 7X.
This is ammo for hunting, so full power is the requirement, with accuracy being a welcome bonus when I get it.
Recently, in search of better accuracy, I have been loading to COL 2.530” – but still .030” off the rifling. Feed is not as smooth, but it is manageable. Accuracy appears better, but velocity has dropped off by about 30 fps. To correct, I have increased my standard 32 gn LVR load to 33 gns, and expect a little over 2200 fps from it.
I am surmising that putting the bullets closer to the rifling is a good thing of itself, but I also realise that there may be some benefit at the base of the bullet. At COL 2.500” the bullet, including some of the shank above the gas check, protrudes into the powder space. At COL 2.530” the protrusion appears to be just the gas check. I had previously thought that I was getting away with having some of the bullet below the case neck.
I am encouraged by the last two groups I have shot with 2.530” COL, one each with 32 and 34 gns LVR. Cartridges were loaded months and weeks before use, allowing the usual bullet to neck bonding to set up. Velocities were 2153 and 2268 fps respectively, SD 20 in both cases. Five shot 100 meter groups were 1.90” and 1.86”. Rifle in both instances was used in the week preceding, left fouled, and the group preceded by a warming shot. Both warmers went more or less to group. The first group was doubling as a zero check after a fall, hence the POI.
Aiming squares are 40 mm (1 9/16").
You are only as good as your library.
