Wondering what you guys think of the suitability of the the old 300 savage for the bigger critters, being moose and elk. I was just looking at this round in my manuals and thought it may be a good round for my lady.I would, of course, be keeping it inside 200 yds.
300 savage
- Thread starter 220Swifty
- Start date
look at a 300 case next to a 308 case. Other than a shorter neck, they're virtually identical. I'd be surprised if you could tell a difference between the recoil of a gun chambered in 308 vs an identical 300.
Interestingly, the 300 savage was the basis for the T-65 (308) case. The military started with a 300 savage case, and made some minor modifications to improve reliable function through machine guns. If you look into the history of the 308, you can find pictures of early prototypes. The earlier the prototype, the more it looks like a 300 savage
Interestingly, the 300 savage was the basis for the T-65 (308) case. The military started with a 300 savage case, and made some minor modifications to improve reliable function through machine guns. If you look into the history of the 308, you can find pictures of early prototypes. The earlier the prototype, the more it looks like a 300 savage
I made the same mistake. Someone here corrected me.
Though I wouldn't be surprised if a 250 could be made into a 300 savage, they do share the same base size and similar length. They have different body tapers, and shoulder locations so it wouldn't be a simple neck sizing. But I'd bet money that you could neck a 250 up to 300, trim it to length and fireform it with the bullet seated hard into the lands to get usable 300 savage brass
Though I wouldn't be surprised if a 250 could be made into a 300 savage, they do share the same base size and similar length. They have different body tapers, and shoulder locations so it wouldn't be a simple neck sizing. But I'd bet money that you could neck a 250 up to 300, trim it to length and fireform it with the bullet seated hard into the lands to get usable 300 savage brass
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It is definitely weeker than the .308. Use a 180 grain bullet and keep shots to about 150 yards. My Hodgon reloading manual shows a 180 grain bullet going 2100 fps vs. the .308 at 2600 fps. The .300 Savage is in between the
.30-30 and the .308 in power.
.30-30 and the .308 in power.
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- St. Joe's Island, Ont
I've got three 300 Savages here and a couple 308's all in 99's and I gotta say it isn't the bullet that lets you know you've just shot, it's the model.
The F's are the more desirable models cause they're featherweights and people like them cause they're light to carry around. Me on the other hand, I like the model R's cause they're nice and heavy and I stand hunt so weight isn't an issue for carrying for me.
Taking a poke out of the 308 R is alot easier on the shoulder than taking one from the F in 300 Sav.
The F's are the more desirable models cause they're featherweights and people like them cause they're light to carry around. Me on the other hand, I like the model R's cause they're nice and heavy and I stand hunt so weight isn't an issue for carrying for me.
Taking a poke out of the 308 R is alot easier on the shoulder than taking one from the F in 300 Sav.
i agree that the 99's push back a little better than some of the newer bolt guns. That being said, this may likely end up a stevens 200 build up, if i go through with it. Just batting caliber ideas around right now, need to get the Mrs her own so i can have my 280 back.
The recoil is slightly less than a 308,yet the two deer
I shot with a 300 Savage were just as dead.
Chuck Hawk says 15 lbs of recoil energy is the limit for comfortable shooting.
(Obviously, stock fit, having a recoil pad etc can affect perceived
recoil.)
Cartridge (Wb@MV) Rifle Weight Recoil energy
.300 Sav. (150 at 2630) 7.5 14.8
.300 Sav. (180 at 2350) 7.5 15.2
.308 Win. (150 at 2600) 7.5 13.2
.308 Win. (150 at 2800) 7.5 15.8
.308 Win. (165 at 2700) 7.5 17.9
.308 Win. (180 at 2610) 7.5 18.6
.308 Win. (180 at 2610) 8.0 17.5
.308 Win. (200 at 2450) 8.0 20.4
I shot with a 300 Savage were just as dead.
Chuck Hawk says 15 lbs of recoil energy is the limit for comfortable shooting.
(Obviously, stock fit, having a recoil pad etc can affect perceived
recoil.)
Cartridge (Wb@MV) Rifle Weight Recoil energy
.300 Sav. (150 at 2630) 7.5 14.8
.300 Sav. (180 at 2350) 7.5 15.2
.308 Win. (150 at 2600) 7.5 13.2
.308 Win. (150 at 2800) 7.5 15.8
.308 Win. (165 at 2700) 7.5 17.9
.308 Win. (180 at 2610) 7.5 18.6
.308 Win. (180 at 2610) 8.0 17.5
.308 Win. (200 at 2450) 8.0 20.4
It's the pressure
The 308 is a johnny-come-lately, as far as firearms ages are concerned. For that reason it is considered that all rifles chambered for it will be of modern design and strength. Therefore, the 308 is loaded with one of the highest pressure ratings of sporting ammunition. If a 300 Savage was so loaded, it would have similar power to a 308.
The 308 is a johnny-come-lately, as far as firearms ages are concerned. For that reason it is considered that all rifles chambered for it will be of modern design and strength. Therefore, the 308 is loaded with one of the highest pressure ratings of sporting ammunition. If a 300 Savage was so loaded, it would have similar power to a 308.
look at a 300 case next to a 308 case. Other than a shorter neck, they're virtually identical. I'd be surprised if you could tell a difference between the recoil of a gun chambered in 308 vs an identical 300.
Interestingly, the 300 savage was the basis for the T-65 (308) case. The military started with a 300 savage case, and made some minor modifications to improve reliable function through machine guns. If you look into the history of the 308, you can find pictures of early prototypes. The earlier the prototype, the more it looks like a 300 savage
Yeah, here's the image I was referring to, from 6mmbr:
Essentially, powder capacity is identical between the 300 and 308, it's just that the 308 is specc'd to a higher pressure. And, given that otherwise identical rifles are chambered for each cartridge, one can surmise that the action good for a 300 sav could also handle 300 savage '+p' as it were, at essentially identical power levels to the 308
I have a Model 700 "Classic" Remington Bolt action chambered in, I believe, 2003 as the offering for that year. This rifle is absolutely deadly accurate, and will chase the 150 grain bullet to 2800 with no sweat at all, using Reloder 15. The recoil is very mild, and it is a pleasure to shoot. I have taken a couple of deer with it and a 2-point bull moose. All died very quickly. I personally think it gives up very little to the 308. I have made a lot of my brass from 308 Winchester Match. A pass through the 300 Savage die, trim, load and shoot away. Regards, Eagleye.
Why not save a lot of time & money and just buy her a .308? Load it down to .300 savage loads if the recoil bothers her. IIRC the .280 will recoil as much or more than the .308 in similar rifles.
Or get her a 7mm-08 which will do the job and recoil even less.
Or get her a 7mm-08 which will do the job and recoil even less.
How many angels can dance on the head of a pin?
Which is better, the .30-30 or the .32 Special?
and so on. These are great subjects for endless discussion and debate.
For all practical purposes, the .300 Savage and the .308 Win are two sides of the same coin. Yes of course there are differences, not the least of which for a handloader is those stubby little necks on the .300 Savage!
Now I am going out on a limb here, but I would dare say that if the lady shoots a rifle chambered in .280 Rem that there is no reasonable hunting cartridge in any standard rifle that is going to rattle her teeth. The .280 has a pretty snappy recoil in the rifles I have shot in that chambering - not at all unpleasant or vicious, but you know that you just shot something with oomph. So there are dozens of great cartridge choices for a hunting application, and I suggest that the most important factor at play is going to be the rifle she will use. If the rifle fits her, any reasonable chambering will do the job just fine. And if the current gun is in .280, why not get a second one in the same chambering for ease of reloading/etc etc?
Or what I reckon I would do, if the lady really likes that .280. I would give her that rifle and buy myself a new toy..........
Random thoughts on a subject of great interest to all of us on a snowy Saturday morning.
Doug
Which is better, the .30-30 or the .32 Special?
and so on. These are great subjects for endless discussion and debate.
For all practical purposes, the .300 Savage and the .308 Win are two sides of the same coin. Yes of course there are differences, not the least of which for a handloader is those stubby little necks on the .300 Savage!
Now I am going out on a limb here, but I would dare say that if the lady shoots a rifle chambered in .280 Rem that there is no reasonable hunting cartridge in any standard rifle that is going to rattle her teeth. The .280 has a pretty snappy recoil in the rifles I have shot in that chambering - not at all unpleasant or vicious, but you know that you just shot something with oomph.
So there are dozens of great cartridge choices for a hunting application, and I suggest that the most important factor at play is going to be the rifle she will use. If the rifle fits her, any reasonable chambering will do the job just fine. And if the current gun is in .280, why not get a second one in the same chambering for ease of reloading/etc etc?Or what I reckon I would do, if the lady really likes that .280. I would give her that rifle and buy myself a new toy..........
Random thoughts on a subject of great interest to all of us on a snowy Saturday morning.
Doug
It is also fair to say it is between the 22lr and 308 in power. But, I don't think comparing it to the 30-30 is fair, much better round and ballistically they are not very similar.
I am recommending a 165 gr bullet(likely 168 if you are using factory), I didn't find performance as good in 180 gr bullets with mine. I always wondered if it was because of the shorter neck???? But what do I know. But maybe that only applied to me.
And I think you are perfectly fine out to 225 yards with moose or deer
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