The Savage Model 99 lever-action was modern before its time

Q: I have been left a Savage Model 99 in .250 Savage by my uncle, who recently died. The rifle appears to have seen little use. The blue on barrel and receiver is pristine and except for a few light scratches the stock is unmarked. 

I don’t know much about this lever-action, but it is pretty sleek looking when compared to the Winchester and Marlin lever-actions.

The rifle came with a set of loading dies, almost 200 once-fired cases and several hundred Speer 87gn projectiles. I’d like to start reloading if you can let me know which powder to use and a good, safe load for the 87gn bullet?

Arthur Hammond

A: Seeing that the Savage Model 1899 was designed well over 100 years ago, it is a remarkably well-designed hammerless lever-action rifle. 

A flat receiver and peerless streamlining endeared this rifle to generations of hunters. The rotary spool magazine is one of the best ever incorporated in a lever-gun.

The .250 Savage (.250-3000) cartridge, introduced in 1915, was developed by Charles Newton for the Model 99 and is still an effective little round for medium-size game. 

You can duplicate the factory velocity of 3000fps with the 87gn bullet with either 36gn of ADI AR2208 or 35gn of AR2206H. Work up from two grains below.