1904 .303 savage

PatchRat

PatchRat

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Okay, so Google sucks in this area. I have a 1904 savage in .303 savage. Despite what my local gun stores say, yes, that cartridge did actually exist. What Google has told me is that the bore could be either .308 or .311/.312. Any input? It actually shoots .308 168 gr btsp Hornady interlocks not too bad all things considered, but i could still shave a few inches off the group. Or do I just need to step it up and slug the bore?
 
As suggested, slugging the bore would be a good idea. Early 303 Savage rifles were .311" bore diameter. Later, it was changed to .308". As a matter of interest TEC Tradex shows PRVI Partisan .303 Savage brass as available on their website.
 
AN older gentleman acquaintance of mine has a nice winchester (from what I can remember) 1895 in 303 savage, made in 1911 I believe (from when I checked the serial, can't remember off hand) and a few boxes of old ammo, he had owned it since the late 40's and wanted to sell it to me. I was very interested because it was old and looked surprisingly in good shape. Problem for me was the ammunition, I am not into reloading (yet). Good info though, never heard of slugging the barrel so had to do some reading.
 
If you can get your hands on some roundnosed, 180 grain Remington Corelokt bullets, they might work well for you. Another consideration might be cast bullets. I believe Hornady also lists a 220 grain .308"roundnosed bullet. As I recall, the heavy bullet for the Savage was a 190 grain roundnose...so either choice may be suitable. Seating depth might be a consideration with the heavier slug, though.
 
Knew an oldtimer many years ago who owned a .303 Savage. I don't recall ever seeing him shoot other than cartridges with roundnosed bullets. Out of curiosity, did a bit more digging. Sierra lists their .308 cal. Prohunter bullet in 180 grain roundnose form. Winchester also has a roundnosed .308 bullet. If you can round up some of either, they might also work well.
 
I use Hornady Interlock 150gr RN #3035. The spitzer (pointy) types I have tried are too long for the rotary magazine.

They load to the cannelure at the specified COAL of 2.520 (from Lyman #46 reloading book)

I got new Norma brass from Epps a few years back. Makes a very nice load with 33 grains of Varget.

My Savage is a takedown model C made in 1915
 
I have a 303 savage in a savage mod 99, rotary magazine so I can use pointed bullet.
303 savage is .308 dia. I know of people that have shot 30-30 out of their 303savage.
I wouldn't.
I think the 303 sav. was built to compete with the 30-30.
 
sclifford said:
AN older gentleman acquaintance of mine has a nice winchester (from what I can remember) 1895 in 303 savage, made in 1911 I believe (from when I checked the serial, can't remember off hand) and a few boxes of old ammo, he had owned it since the late 40's and wanted to sell it to me. I was very interested because it was old and looked surprisingly in good shape. Problem for me was the ammunition, I am not into reloading (yet). Good info though, never heard of slugging the barrel so had to do some reading.
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Just supposing, but...an 1895 Winnie would be in a 303 BR if I guess correctly. If you handled it and are sure it was a 303 Savage, then I stand corrected.
 
tokguy said:
Just supposing, but...an 1895 Winnie would be in a 303 BR if I guess correctly. If you handled it and are sure it was a 303 Savage, then I stand corrected.
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I'm !00% sure it was a 303 savage as I remember it was a strange caliber and manufactured around 1911 but I am not sure if it was a win. I know that the model was 18xx something
 
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