303 Savage

[sharp shooter]

Just wondering what powders will work for my old 303 Savage Model 99. I understand that I should be using 170 grain soft points right? Anybody have any dies they want to get rid of?

Steve

 

[tiriaq]

Lee makes the dies.
170s will work, but the cannelure is set for .30-30.
Originally, a 190gr round nose with a lot of exposed lead was used.
You want a bullet that will expand well at lower velocities.

 

[Tak]

Just out of curiousity could you find any cases?

 

[tiriaq]

TradeEx sells them.

 

[sharp shooter]

I have a few boxes of original cases laying around. They are factory loaded right now...

 

[Boomer]

I would start with IMR 3031, I think you'll find it has an ideal burning rate for the .303 Savage. Runner ups would be either 4895s, in extruded powder or W-748 or H-335 ball powder.

 

[Andy]

The same powders that work well in the 30-30 work well in the 303 Savage. Same loads in fact, which will be a might on the low side due to the 303 Savage's slightly greater case capacity.

This info is relevant and useful because there are far more published 30-30 loads that there are 303 Savage.

 

[sharp shooter]

Any specific charge weights? I imagine that this cartridge will be hard to overload??

Oh ya, what diameter bullet is to be used?

 

[hakx]

I thought Hornady reintroduced this in factory loads, too.

 

[BrotherRockeye]

.308 bullet
there was a .303Sav thread not long ago...
here:http://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/showthread.php?943989-303-savage&highlight=303+savage

 

[sharp shooter]

Thanks, I tried searching but was unsuccessful. I actually followed that thread too. lol

 

[sunray]

"...factory loaded right now..." Almost collector stuff.
"...Any specific charge weights..." You trying to load without data? I have some in my old Lyman book. It'll be Tuesday before I can post it though(no internet at home.). The .303 Savage is Savage's answer to the .30-30. Longer case neck as I recall. Otherwise, it's very similar.

 

[sharp shooter]

Which specific bullets should I choose to load? I will be hunting close range Moose and deer with this gun.

 

[Eagleye]

Certain very early production 303 Savages had a larger groove diameter [.311"]

However, the majority use the standard .308" bullet.
The factory loading was, as mentioned, a 190 grain RN bullet.

These bullets are in short supply, so you may have to use bullets designed for the 30-30.
The 170 grain is a good choice.

I would avoid bullets designed for higher velocity, since they may perform poorly
at the modest velocities of the 303 Savage.

If you are using a M99 Savage, [ see you are] there is no need to crimp, so no need to seat
the bullet to the cannelure.

Regards, Eagleye.

 

[Eagleye]

My old Lyman Manual lists loads as follows:

150 grain Jacketed: IMR 3031 Start: 30.0--Max: 33.0
IMR 4895 Start: 33.0--Max 36.0
IMR 4064 Start: 32.0--Max 36.0
IMR 4320 Start: 32.0--Max 36.0

170 grain Jacketed: IMR 3031 Start: 28.0--Max: 31.0
IMR 4895 Start: 30.0--Max: 33.0
IMR 4064 Start: 30.0--Max: 33.0
IMR 4320 Start: 30.0--Max: 33.0
Hodgdon's BLC2 Start: 31.0--Max: 34.0

I noted that these loads are, for all intents and purposes, identical to loads listed
for the 30-30 Winchester with the same bullets.

Regards, Dave.

 

[sharp shooter]

Thanks Eagleye.

And also,
As you recommended on another thread I started about the 30-06, I just picked up a pound of RL22 to try out my my M70 with 180 grain bullets.

Steve

 

[rombat]

This load regulated to factory ammo sighting in a friends .303 Savage. I realize that the flat points are not required in the box magazine, but they are built for this velocity.
170gr Speer flat point bullets
35gr R15 powder
WLR primer
COL 2.535
2200 fps