.303 Savage

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Robert McNamera

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Hi Folks:

I'm about to load some rounds for a .303 Savage Model 1899. Do I buy .308 projectiles or do I buy .311? Yeah, yeah, I know: Slug the bore, you lazy barstid! Just curious. Any one else loading for one of these classic lever actions?

Thanks!

Robert McNamera
 
Savage 303

This caliber [ 303 Savage] is a bit ODD in that the bore size is 30 CALIBER, ie 308. It is NOT 311 as the 303 British is, the 311 bullet is NOT CORRECT for this caliber. I hand load for this caliber, 30 caliber is what you need.
 
"...Just checked out Wikipedia for you..." Wikipedia is wrong, yet again.
The .303 Savage uses the same .308" bullets the .30-30 Winchester uses. The cartridge name has nothing to do with the bullet diameter. It was a marketing thing only. Literally Savage's answer to the .30-30.
Don't try to figure out why any cartridge is called what it is either. It'll give you an aneurysm.
Robert, I have data for 110, 150 and 170 grain jacketed bullets. Plus 173 and 193 w/gas checks, cast data, if you want it. Don't even think about loading any cartridge without proper data.
 
.308 run fine out of old FrankenSavage,and if you load them single,Nosler 180gr BallisticTip are accurate too.
I have read that when Savage was trying to secure a military contract that they used .311 bullets in the .308 bore to increase pressures and velocity.I can't vouch for the validity of the claim but I reckon that's where the .311 myth came from.
 
I have been loading for the 303 Savage for a number of years and always get a kick out of the .311 or .308 controversy. They may have made a few that were .311 but from what I have read (books and magazines, not internet) from at least the serial numbers in the 40,000 range they have had .308 bores and factory loads were .308". All the guns that I have had, shoot the .308 bullets perfectly, and have liked any bullet that is made specifically for the 30-30, especially the Hornady 150 round nose. (30-30 bullets are made to expand at the appropriate velocity too, in case you want to hunt with it.)Still even the Hodgdon load data site lists the 303 Savage as requiring a .311 bullet.

This is also a great cartridge for shooting cast bullets. It has a nice long neck and keeps the lube where it should be. I am shooting 195 grain GC with good success, sized to .309".
 
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