Originally .303 ????
This quote is from an article about the 303 Savage in the 1967 Handloader magazine written by Ken Waters,
"Since its introduction, readers may well have been confused not only by its designation of ".303" but also by statements that appeared in some publications to the effect that bullet diameter is greater than standard .30 caliber. Perhaps I can unravel those misconceptions a bit.
Our No. 22 Ideal Handbook contains a statement that "the original size" of the .303 Savage barrel was .303" in the bore, taking .311" bullets, but went on to say, that they have been changed to .300" (30 caliber) and use a bullet .308". Maybe so but if this is true, they must have changed diameters very soon after their introduction, as my old Savage (Serial No. 43,898) definitely has a groove diameter of .308"."
I would tend to accept Mr. Waters statement and evidence but have personally talked to more than one older shooter who claim otherwise. One who insists He always loaded with .311" bullets. Perhaps the action is stronger than it looks, or he was loading cast lead bullets. All the same they are a nice handling and shooting rifle and I enjoy mine. Good luck with yours.
This quote is from an article about the 303 Savage in the 1967 Handloader magazine written by Ken Waters,
"Since its introduction, readers may well have been confused not only by its designation of ".303" but also by statements that appeared in some publications to the effect that bullet diameter is greater than standard .30 caliber. Perhaps I can unravel those misconceptions a bit.
Our No. 22 Ideal Handbook contains a statement that "the original size" of the .303 Savage barrel was .303" in the bore, taking .311" bullets, but went on to say, that they have been changed to .300" (30 caliber) and use a bullet .308". Maybe so but if this is true, they must have changed diameters very soon after their introduction, as my old Savage (Serial No. 43,898) definitely has a groove diameter of .308"."
I would tend to accept Mr. Waters statement and evidence but have personally talked to more than one older shooter who claim otherwise. One who insists He always loaded with .311" bullets. Perhaps the action is stronger than it looks, or he was loading cast lead bullets. All the same they are a nice handling and shooting rifle and I enjoy mine. Good luck with yours.
