303 Savage Data

cpfister55 · July 18, 2004, 05:20 PM

I am looking for 303 Savage loading data..All of my load books have omitted it. Need all the dimensions for trimming after full length resize. Is there a book on the market that would have this in? Thanks

steveno · July 18, 2004, 06:31 PM

I have an old Lyman manual # 44 (1967 copyright date)with 303 Savage loads in it. I will give you some min and max loads if you tell me what powder and bullet weight are you going to use? the trim to length is 2.010 and max case length is 2.015. if you look around at gunshows you can normally find some old reloading manuals at a pretty cheap price.

Gewehr98 · July 18, 2004, 08:21 PM

The .303 Savage page shows a trim-to length of 2.010", and a maximum case length of 2.015". If Steveno can't dig up the load info, it's also in the back pages of the #45 edition, too. (That's where the "obsolete" cartridge data is listed.)

**Mike Irwin** · July 19, 2004, 12:39 PM

Use light .30-30 Winchester data.

Be VERY careful about using data from 30 and 40 year old reloading manuals.

I found out the hard way that it's not always what it appears to be with new powders.

The .32 S&W Long load that was supposed to do 800 fps. with Unique was actually doing nearly 1,100.

Fine in a modern revolver, but certainly not fine in my 1917 Regulation Police.

Paul B. · July 19, 2004, 04:24 PM

Use light .30-30 Winchester data.

I disagree. As long as the headspace is OK, you can use any 30-30 data that is considered safe for a Winchester M-94. The Savage 99 has a lot stronger action than the 94. One of the original bullets for the .303 is a 190 gr. Silvertip. Unfortuneatly, Winchester never parted with any as components to handloaders. Famed gunwriter, Sam Fadala wrote of buying .303 Sav. ammo and pulling the bullets for use in his 30-30. BTW, I met him once. Hell of a nice guy. Big "W" mised the boat by not using that bullet in the 30-30 as well.
I recently sold off the last .303 Sav. I owned. My pet load was 28.0 gr. of W0748, Winchester brass and primer, and the RCBS #30-180-FN. It weighs 190 gr. in wheel weight metal and duplicates the Winchester factory load. I even use it in my several 30-30 rifles. Nice load and it kills deer nicely.

The point is, as long as your rifle is in good shape, any 30-30 load will work just fine. I've had two .303 Sav. rifles that were real beaters and they never gave me a problem with the 30-30 data or the load I mentioned.
This is the only load from the Winchester loading booklet #15.

170 gr. bullet, W-748 powder 33.5 gr. 2090 FPS pressure 32,000 C.U.P.

Paul B.

**Mike Irwin** · July 19, 2004, 08:51 PM

I'm more than familiar with the Savage 1899/99, its capabilities, and its limitations.

My concern with using standard .30-30 data, and recommendation for using light loads, is the fact that Savage 1899s/99s in .303 are approaching 100 years old, old steels are softer, and parts are becomingly increasingly hard, if not impossible, to find. The vast majority were manufacturered prior to 1930, and most prior to WW I, although Savage cataloged them up to 1939/40 when the company ramped up for production for WW II.

I would offer the same advice for 1899s/99s chambered in .30-30, as well as 1894s/94s manufactured prior to WW II. Use lighter loads.

Treat your elders with respect, and they'll last a lot longer.

As for the Winchester Silvertip, I'm not 100% certain, but I think the Silvertip entered Winchester's line up years after the .303 was dropped from production.

Jim Watson · July 20, 2004, 08:18 AM

I will only note that NRA said the .303 Savage was loaded to lower chamber pressure than .30 WCF.

Ken Waters was shooting 190 grain Winchester Silvertip factory loads for Pet Loads in 1967.

July 19, 2004, 04:24 PM	#5
Paul B. Senior Member Join Date: March 28, 1999 Location: Tucson, AZ Posts: 3,800	Use light .30-30 Winchester data. I disagree. As long as the headspace is OK, you can use any 30-30 data that is considered safe for a Winchester M-94. The Savage 99 has a lot stronger action than the 94. One of the original bullets for the .303 is a 190 gr. Silvertip. Unfortuneatly, Winchester never parted with any as components to handloaders. Famed gunwriter, Sam Fadala wrote of buying .303 Sav. ammo and pulling the bullets for use in his 30-30. BTW, I met him once. Hell of a nice guy. Big "W" mised the boat by not using that bullet in the 30-30 as well. I recently sold off the last .303 Sav. I owned. My pet load was 28.0 gr. of W0748, Winchester brass and primer, and the RCBS #30-180-FN. It weighs 190 gr. in wheel weight metal and duplicates the Winchester factory load. I even use it in my several 30-30 rifles. Nice load and it kills deer nicely. The point is, as long as your rifle is in good shape, any 30-30 load will work just fine. I've had two .303 Sav. rifles that were real beaters and they never gave me a problem with the 30-30 data or the load I mentioned. This is the only load from the Winchester loading booklet #15. 170 gr. bullet, W-748 powder 33.5 gr. 2090 FPS pressure 32,000 C.U.P. Paul B. __________________ COMPROMISE IS NOT AN OPTION!

July 19, 2004, 08:51 PM	#6
Mike Irwin Staff Join Date: April 13, 2000 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 41,379	I'm more than familiar with the Savage 1899/99, its capabilities, and its limitations. My concern with using standard .30-30 data, and recommendation for using light loads, is the fact that Savage 1899s/99s in .303 are approaching 100 years old, old steels are softer, and parts are becomingly increasingly hard, if not impossible, to find. The vast majority were manufacturered prior to 1930, and most prior to WW I, although Savage cataloged them up to 1939/40 when the company ramped up for production for WW II. I would offer the same advice for 1899s/99s chambered in .30-30, as well as 1894s/94s manufactured prior to WW II. Use lighter loads. Treat your elders with respect, and they'll last a lot longer. As for the Winchester Silvertip, I'm not 100% certain, but I think the Silvertip entered Winchester's line up years after the .303 was dropped from production. __________________ "The gift which I am sending you is called a dog, and is in fact the most precious and valuable possession of mankind" -Theodorus Gaza Baby Jesus cries when the fat redneck doesn't have military-grade firepower.

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July 18, 2004, 05:20 PM	#1
cpfister55 Junior Member Join Date: July 15, 2004 Posts: 3	303 Savage Data I am looking for 303 Savage loading data..All of my load books have omitted it. Need all the dimensions for trimming after full length resize. Is there a book on the market that would have this in? Thanks

July 18, 2004, 06:31 PM	#2
steveno Senior Member Join Date: June 18, 2004 Location: Minden , Nebraska Posts: 1,407	I have an old Lyman manual # 44 (1967 copyright date)with 303 Savage loads in it. I will give you some min and max loads if you tell me what powder and bullet weight are you going to use? the trim to length is 2.010 and max case length is 2.015. if you look around at gunshows you can normally find some old reloading manuals at a pretty cheap price.

July 18, 2004, 08:21 PM	#3
Gewehr98 Senior Member Join Date: June 30, 2000 Location: Token Creek, WI Posts: 4,067	I've got the 1970 Lyman #45 reloading handbook. The .303 Savage page shows a trim-to length of 2.010", and a maximum case length of 2.015". If Steveno can't dig up the load info, it's also in the back pages of the #45 edition, too. (That's where the "obsolete" cartridge data is listed.) __________________ "Bother", said Pooh, as he chambered another round... Neural Misfires

July 19, 2004, 12:39 PM	#4
Mike Irwin Staff Join Date: April 13, 2000 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 41,379	Use light .30-30 Winchester data. Be VERY careful about using data from 30 and 40 year old reloading manuals. I found out the hard way that it's not always what it appears to be with new powders. The .32 S&W Long load that was supposed to do 800 fps. with Unique was actually doing nearly 1,100. Fine in a modern revolver, but certainly not fine in my 1917 Regulation Police. __________________ "The gift which I am sending you is called a dog, and is in fact the most precious and valuable possession of mankind" -Theodorus Gaza Baby Jesus cries when the fat redneck doesn't have military-grade firepower.

July 20, 2004, 08:18 AM	#7
Jim Watson Senior Member Join Date: October 25, 2001 Location: Alabama Posts: 18,528	I will only note that NRA said the .303 Savage was loaded to lower chamber pressure than .30 WCF. Ken Waters was shooting 190 grain Winchester Silvertip factory loads for Pet Loads in 1967.