300 Savage Load Info Needed
- Thread starter cosmic
- Start date
I don't know about the Hornady Manual, but with the 150 grain bullets, Reloder 15 is your friend in the 300 Savage. Start at about 42 grains and work up carefully. I am shooting 46 grains for very good velocities and stellar accuracy. [NOTE: Do NOT start with this heavy a load!] Eagleye.
That may be true, but Winchester cases have more capacity in this chambering, and I use them by preference. My 46 grain load is compressed somewhat, but not heavily so. Lyman's loads are wimpy to the extreme. Eagleye.
Rem cases are crappy too. I use Win and old Dominion cases that seem practically indestructible. I've gotten really good results out of my old savage 99 with 41.0 gr of varget and cheap 150gr hornadys. The 99 actions are very strong so if that's what you are using feel free to just ramp up gradually and look for pressure signs.
The gun digest book of Leverguns suggested a 150gr Hornady SP backed by 43.8gr of Varget for a max load, getting 2740fps.Or if you like IMR4895, it\ll get you 2627fps with 43gr.
For heavy bullets they suggest 42gr of Reloader 15,behind a 200gr for 2300fps.
For heavy bullets they suggest 42gr of Reloader 15,behind a 200gr for 2300fps.
trix 17; I have a bunch of those older Dominion cases too, and they are some tough! Also they have even more room in them than do the Winchester cases. When you look at the 200 grain RL15 load listed by diananike, the 46 grains behind the 150 looks pretty normal. I get right around 2825 with that load in my 24" 300 Savage, and my smallest 3-shot group with the 150 Partition measures [center to center] .040". Average group size with this load is around 5/8 - 3/4 inch at 100. Pretty effective load. I have shot several deer, 2 black bear and a moose with it. Regards, Eagleye.
I use about 46gr of RX15 behind a 150 SST in my .308win Remington. But I'm not shooting them in my M14 that's for sure!
But it is a max load and I believe the Savage has a smaller case so I'd be wary that the pressures would be significantly higher in the .300
But it is a max load and I believe the Savage has a smaller case so I'd be wary that the pressures would be significantly higher in the .300
The case on the 300 Savage is slightly smaller in capacity than is a 308 case, but most of the difference is in the neck length. [FWIW, a Dominion 300Savage case has more capacity than does a Federal 308 Winchester case.] I do know that 46 grains of RL 15 with the 150 is not absolute working max in my rifle, since I have shot 47 & 48 grains. 48 starts to show signs, so I backed down the 2 grains and use that as my working load. Primer pockets stay tight after 5 firings, there is no measurable head expansion, and no length issues, so I believe this is a safe load in my rifle. I am sure I would not use this in a 99 Savage until I had worked up from 6% below to establish safety. Regards, Eagleye
Well - Many thanks to those who posted. I was given a pile of used brass from Old Ranger, it includes Winchester, Dominion, Federal, large and small print Imperial, and Super Speed. Its interesting to note the tremendous variation in base thickness amongst the various brands.
Its also interesting to note the factory loading for the cartridge, using 150 gr pills, is in the order of 2600 fps, and the original design approached 2800 fps - this cartridge was no slouch! Given the tremendous variation in case volume, the short neck, and the variation in bullet profiles, its easy to see how the reloading recipes are all over the map.
Eagleye - if memory serves, you're shooting a Rem 700. Running the loads up to 308 pressures is easy to contemplate with such a rifle. I've got a 50's vintage 99 and a 760. I'm off the the range today with 40 gr of 4064 under 150 gr SP's (Win cases), and 40 gr of Re15 under 180 RN's (Imperial cases) I'm working up to these loads, of course.
With deer season imminent, it'll be a busy day at the range!
Its also interesting to note the factory loading for the cartridge, using 150 gr pills, is in the order of 2600 fps, and the original design approached 2800 fps - this cartridge was no slouch! Given the tremendous variation in case volume, the short neck, and the variation in bullet profiles, its easy to see how the reloading recipes are all over the map.
Eagleye - if memory serves, you're shooting a Rem 700. Running the loads up to 308 pressures is easy to contemplate with such a rifle. I've got a 50's vintage 99 and a 760. I'm off the the range today with 40 gr of 4064 under 150 gr SP's (Win cases), and 40 gr of Re15 under 180 RN's (Imperial cases) I'm working up to these loads, of course.
With deer season imminent, it'll be a busy day at the range!
Cosmic; You are correct, I am shooting a Remington 700 "Classic" in 300 Savage. However, an acquaintance shoots 45 grains if RL 15 in his older 99F Savage behind the 150 Hornady IL and has terrific success with it. Not sure of velocities, since he has no Chrony. Sure is accurate in that older levergun, though! Let us know how yours turns out. Eagleye.
I just sighted in my 99F with RL15 and Hornady's 165gr, groups an honest 1.25 at 100 yds. Go to Alliant powders site and they have their suggested loads there. I don't have the data with me but I am just a little under their max. I like the compromise of 165 in both 308 and 300 savage, best of both worlds re speed and weight.
I found the data that I printed from Alliant
165gr bullet 44gr RL15 2614fps
180 gr bullet 43 gr RL15 2469 fps
200 gr bullet 42 gr RL15 2379 fps
All above max loads, Federal cases and cci 200 primers
they had nothing listed for 150 gr.
165gr bullet 44gr RL15 2614fps
180 gr bullet 43 gr RL15 2469 fps
200 gr bullet 42 gr RL15 2379 fps
All above max loads, Federal cases and cci 200 primers
they had nothing listed for 150 gr.
Thanks to all who posted. My 760 liked the 150 grainers, the 99 liked the 180 RN's. Using Imperial brass the 40 gr of RE15 under the 180's looked a tad hot - very flat primers, sharp firing pin crater. I'll likely back it off a half grain.
- Location
- Yellowknife, NWT
IIRC, John Barsness is fond of 44 grains of RL 15 under a 165 grain bullet for an all-around load. Alliant lists that on their website as 2614 fps from a 20" barrel, MAX LOAD.
