The Firing Line Forums - View Single Post

Scharfschuetzer · March 4, 2012, 08:11 AM

That ought to be a fun project as you don't see many 303 Savages anymore. It's great fun to get old rifles shooting again.

Do you have brass for it?

As I recall, 303 Savage factory ammo used 180 or 190 grain bullets with round noses. I'm not sure why, but with the 99 action you can use spitzer bullets which gives it an advantage over tube fed rifles at longer ranges.

I've read reports of some 303 Savage barrels measuring in at .310 or .311, but most reports are that the rifles have a .308 bore. I'd slug your barrel first, just to be sure before buying bullets for it. Factory specification for the bore on a 303 Savage is for a .308 groove diameter.

I would think that the old stand by powders for the 30/30 should work well in the 303 Savage. I'd hazard a guess that IMR 4895 would be a good place to start with standard large rifle prmers and perhaps a 150 or 165 grain spitzer bullet designed for expansion at the lower velocities of the 303 Savage.

March 4, 2012, 08:11 AM	#2
Scharfschuetzer Senior Member Join Date: January 28, 2012 Location: Puget Sound Posts: 293	That ought to be a fun project as you don't see many 303 Savages anymore. It's great fun to get old rifles shooting again. Do you have brass for it? As I recall, 303 Savage factory ammo used 180 or 190 grain bullets with round noses. I'm not sure why, but with the 99 action you can use spitzer bullets which gives it an advantage over tube fed rifles at longer ranges. I've read reports of some 303 Savage barrels measuring in at .310 or .311, but most reports are that the rifles have a .308 bore. I'd slug your barrel first, just to be sure before buying bullets for it. Factory specification for the bore on a 303 Savage is for a .308 groove diameter. I would think that the old stand by powders for the 30/30 should work well in the 303 Savage. I'd hazard a guess that IMR 4895 would be a good place to start with standard large rifle prmers and perhaps a 150 or 165 grain spitzer bullet designed for expansion at the lower velocities of the 303 Savage. __________________ Scharfschuetzer US Army Distinguished Rifleman Washington State Distinguished Rifleman NRA Police Distinguished Expert Last edited by Scharfschuetzer; March 4, 2012 at 08:44 AM.