A friend called and mentioned he was looking at a Savage stamped 303 Short. Trying to find info on it, Cartridges of the World show no such round. Is it possible that "short" means .303 Savage ammo, not .303 British? Rifle is a combo, 20Guage/303 Short. Thanks in advance for any information.
Savage 303 short.
- Thread starter c1a1
- Start date
- Location
- The Conservative part of Ontario
Savage did market the 303 Savage as being for short actions, however I've never heard of it appearing in a stamping. There are numerous references to the 303British and the 303 "Short" Lee Enfield online.
The 303 British is considerably larger, and should not chamber in a standard 303Savage chamber without considerable force.
A chamber cast would be the best way however.
The 303 British is considerably larger, and should not chamber in a standard 303Savage chamber without considerable force.
A chamber cast would be the best way however.
- Location
- Somewhere on the Hudson Bay Coast
I've never seem or even heard of a Savage combination gun chambered for a .303 cartridge, be it .303 Savage or .303 Brit, but I suppose one shouldn't discount a custom chamber. The rifle as mentioned was available in .30/30 and IIRC, .308, but I'm with John, get a chamber cast.
Rifle is a custom piece. A liner chambered for .303 Short was installed in the 20gauge bore. .303 Short dies are RCBS. Rifle is up for sale.
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TELL YOUR FRIEND TO TAKE IT TO A COMPETENT GUNSMITH !
There are too many variables here. First of all, what was used for the sleeve and how good was the work done? Was the firing pin of the shotgun action bushed to a smaller diameter? What was used for the action?
Shotgun actions are designed for a MUCH lower pressure than rifle actions, and many of the less expensive ones were made with a weaker grade steel. This was adequate to handle low pressure shotgun shells, but rifle cartridges are a much higher pressure. A larger firing pin could leak gas back into the shooters face.
Again, without pictures, anything is only a guess.
.
TELL YOUR FRIEND TO TAKE IT TO A COMPETENT GUNSMITH !
There are too many variables here. First of all, what was used for the sleeve and how good was the work done? Was the firing pin of the shotgun action bushed to a smaller diameter? What was used for the action?
Shotgun actions are designed for a MUCH lower pressure than rifle actions, and many of the less expensive ones were made with a weaker grade steel. This was adequate to handle low pressure shotgun shells, but rifle cartridges are a much higher pressure. A larger firing pin could leak gas back into the shooters face.
Again, without pictures, anything is only a guess.
.
