300 savage why no love?

458winshooter · June 24, 2021, 02:45 PM

I bought a fine old model 99 savage in 300 savage, recently and in doing some research on it I was somewhat dumbstruck by the fact that almost nobody has mentioned the fact that this year the 300 savage celebrates its centennial. Designed in 1920 it was first chambered in 1921 as far as I can tell. This is a very fine cartridge that should be more popular than it is. It is nearly the equal to the 308 Winchester within 100 to 150 FPS yet is more compact and does so with even less recoil. Modern powders have improved the performance of this little gem to put it on par with a 308 factory loads but alas those same powders do keep the 308 out front just a little if you handload. If the so called dating app is correct my new baby was minted in 1926. I’ve always had a thing for older women! It also has the distinction of being the basis for 308. So what do you think, should the gun rags get on the ball here and show some love or am I going to have to try this on for myself?

ligonierbill · June 24, 2021, 03:36 PM

No love? Where I come from, it is still a popular hunting round. It is the base cartridge for the 308. But don't worry. If others don't want it, just more ammo for you.

Scorch · June 24, 2021, 04:51 PM

For the better part of the last century, the 300 Savage was a well-loved and well-thought of cartridge. It was chambered in Savage sporting rifles including the 99, Reminton 721 and 722s, Winchester 54s, and several others. It stood the test of time. As new cartridges hit the shelves, manufacturers other than Savage dropped it in favor of the 308 family of cartridges. When Savage redesigned the 99 for the 308 family of cartridges, it was the end of the line for the old cartridge, but it is still respected and admired. Lots of love out there for it!

eastbank · June 24, 2021, 05:03 PM

300 savages were made only in the 722, not the 721,s(long action) i had three. two remington 722,s and classic remington 700, i sold one of the 722,s to a good friend. loaded to near the top for a bolt action it will come close to a .308.

HiBC · June 24, 2021, 05:12 PM

It might be a mistake to confuse love with popularity. They aren't quite the same.
My perception is folks who have a Sav 99 in 300 Savage love them.

There are not a lot of them available. I'm sure you would have no problem selling yours.

But side by side,the new gun buyer has a lot of valid reason to choose the 308.

Availability,for one.

I have a Remington Model 81 semi-auto in 300 Savage,. Its IMO,the best cartridge that rifle was made in.

458winshooter · June 24, 2021, 06:09 PM

Thank you for all the responses but what I'm getting at is the 100th birthday and no fanfare. It should have gotten some attention from the gun mags. It deserves better. It was also chambered in Remington's 81 semi auto.

105kw · June 25, 2021, 09:38 AM

Wayne Van Zwoll did a article in Guns magazine in June, other then that, nothing.
People that have and use one, love them. To most people it's another old cartridge.
Which is sad, the Savages, and Remingtons are great classic hunting guns.
Head and shoulders above a 30-30, not far behind a 308.

Don Fischer · June 25, 2021, 10:20 AM

The 300 Savage is not a magnum. All it does is kill stuff with goof bullet's. American's are overall not hunter's, they are shooter's. Read what most write when asking about cartridges. Theyu all need something good to 400 or 500 yds, even if they don't have the skill. I'd bet a 300 Savage shot well placed at 500 yds will kill pretty much anything.

Radny97 · June 25, 2021, 10:37 AM

You’re right, it deserves more attention. It’s probably the perfect hunting cartridge. Good to 350 yards for anything up to and including elk. Low recoil. Twist rates in most rifles can run 125 gr to 180 gr bullets for a wide variety of applications. Short actions. It really does most things well.
Plus it frequently comes in one of the best hunting rifles ever made: the Savage 99.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Geezerbiker · June 25, 2021, 11:27 AM

I'm still wondering why the .250 Savage has all but disappeared... There's a lot of good rounds that seem to fade away for no good reason.

Tony

ligonierbill · June 25, 2021, 12:26 PM

It's not really a good reason; the 250 Savage is just as good as it always was. But the quarter bores, with the exception of the 257 "Roy", have been pretty much pushed aside by the 243 Winchester. I'm a fan of the 257 Roberts (folks get testy when you call it "Bob"), but maybe I should strike a blow for the 250 Savage and buy one!

Ricklin · June 25, 2021, 03:47 PM

A 99 is on my short list, would be quite happy with either a .250 or a .300 Savage.
A takedown model would be icing on the cake.

Would have to be a giveaway price wise, tho. So many guns, so little time.

I have my hunting needs very well covered now.

HiBC · June 25, 2021, 05:14 PM

Folks look for good cartridges to use in a little Howa bolt action. I don't know for sure a 250 Savage would fit the mag box,but if it will,Why not?

The 250 Savage is one of the cartridges that responds well to the AI treatment,if a person was into that.

They put slow twist for light bullets in the older Savage 99 rifles.They don't do well with over 100 gr bullets....Except now you know why there was a 117 gr Round nose.Those are shorter and may stabilize.
But use a 1 in 10 barrel and the 115 gr Nosler Ballistic tip is a good bullet.

BC is .435 Its killed well for me out of my 257R AI.

I have never owned a 250, but IMO,it would make a sweet deer rifle inside 300 yds.

taylorce1 · June 25, 2021, 08:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ricklin

A 99 is on my short list, would be quite happy with either a .250 or a .300 Savage.

I had a dandy of a specimen of a Savage 99A Brush Gun in .358 Win. Super nice rifle, but I hated the trigger, and it killed a lot of scopes. Recoil was pretty snappy but not unbearable. I sold it because I'm not a collector, and wanted a rifle I'd actually hunt with.

Oh yeah, my daughter has a pretty nice 700 Classic in .300 Savage she's used quite often to the demise of deer, pronghorn, and coyote.

**44 AMP** · June 25, 2021, 08:53 PM

Quote:

But the quarter bores, with the exception of the 257 "Roy", have been pretty much pushed aside by the 243 Winchester.

I have a .243 Win, and a 6mm Rem, and a .25-06, and trust me, the .243 will not do what the .25-06 can do!

What is this .257 "Roy" you speak of? Roy Weatherby could have named it the .257 Roy,...he did not. Its the .257 Weatherby.

Quote:

I'm a fan of the 257 Roberts (folks get testy when you call it "Bob"),

Folks get testy with calling it .257 "Bob" because that's even dumber and less respectful than calling a Weatherby a "Roy". Roy, at least was part of his name.
Bob never was.

The fellow who designed the .257 Roberts was Ned Roberts. Not Robert, not Bob, but Roberts (with an "s"). Its a family name and cannot be shortened to "bob" (unlike a first name) without flunking basic grade school English grammar.

To me, it doesn't make you look cute, it just makes you look ignorant at best or perhaps, willfully stupid. And I doubt I'm the only one.

Bart B. · June 25, 2021, 11:00 PM

Frankfort arsenal bought a few thousand 300 Savage cases from Winchester to help develop the 30 caliber service cartridge that replaced the 30-06.

Then Winchester introduced a commercial version that was more accurate than the 30-06.

Geezerbiker · June 26, 2021, 01:02 AM

I settled for a .25-06 when I really wanted a .250 Savage. Now money and space in the gun safe are both too low to go looking for one more rifle...

Adding another gun to my safe would mean I got it for a killer good price or as a gift. I don't expect either to happen...

Tony

ligonierbill · June 26, 2021, 05:10 AM

44AMP, your reverence is touching. But I actually load for and shoot a 257 Roberts, Bob, or whatever you may call it. That's one more guy keeping it alive and shootin'. I'm much too old to be concerned with insults and name calling, especially on line.

stagpanther · June 26, 2021, 06:42 AM

Quote:

I settled for a .25-06 when I really wanted a .250 Savage. Now money and space in the gun safe are both too low to go looking for one more rifle...

Obvious solution...get another safe.

Don Fischer · June 26, 2021, 07:44 AM

Calling cartridges by cute names frustrates me to tears!

Don Fischer · June 26, 2021, 07:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 44 AMP

I have a .243 Win, and a 6mm Rem, and a .25-06, and trust me, the .243 will not do what the .25-06 can do!

What is this .257 "Roy" you speak of? Roy Weatherby could have named it the .257 Roy,...he did not. Its the .257 Weatherby.

Folks get testy with calling it .257 "Bob" because that's even dumber and less respectful than calling a Weatherby a "Roy". Roy, at least was part of his name.
Bob never was.

The fellow who designed the .257 Roberts was Ned Roberts. Not Robert, not Bob, but Roberts (with an "s"). Its a family name and cannot be shortened to "bob" (unlike a first name) without flunking basic grade school English grammar.

To me, it doesn't make you look cute, it just makes you look ignorant at best or perhaps, willfully stupid. And I doubt I'm the only one.

really good post!

Don Fischer · June 26, 2021, 07:49 AM

Not so much about insults or name calling I don't believe but about a learning curve for new people to shooting. We see this stuff all the time and has to be confusing for the new people. so is it a 257 Bob or a 257 Robert's? What's the difference in them? call it what it is!

10-96 · June 26, 2021, 09:56 AM

So back to Savages. Did the .300 bring about the demise of the rimmed .303 Savage, or did the .303 just simply fail to compete with Winchester's .30-30? The .300 was definitely a step up in performance from the .303, but I still wonder what killed it off?

taylorce1 · June 26, 2021, 09:59 AM

Well, we can't get hung up on what people call cartridges until we get them to stop calling them calibers. That bothers me far more than using "Roy" or "Bob". It is far more annoying to hear people say what caliber should I buy for elk .300 Win vs. .30-06.

ligonierbill · June 26, 2021, 10:12 AM

I would say both. Obviously, the 30 WCF started rolling in 1895, or at least as soon as folks bought into that newfangled smokeless powder, and it's still going. The 300 Savage was actually aimed at the 30-06. The initial load of a 150 gr bullet at 2,700 duplicated the military load at the tme. I keep mine at about 2,650. The "Aught 6" in modern loads leaves it in the shade. Growing up, I often heard the 300 Savage disparaged as a "glorified 30-30".

June 24, 2021, 02:45 PM	#1
458winshooter Senior Member Join Date: June 16, 2008 Location: Transplanted to Ridgeland,SC Posts: 606	300 savage why no love? I bought a fine old model 99 savage in 300 savage, recently and in doing some research on it I was somewhat dumbstruck by the fact that almost nobody has mentioned the fact that this year the 300 savage celebrates its centennial. Designed in 1920 it was first chambered in 1921 as far as I can tell. This is a very fine cartridge that should be more popular than it is. It is nearly the equal to the 308 Winchester within 100 to 150 FPS yet is more compact and does so with even less recoil. Modern powders have improved the performance of this little gem to put it on par with a 308 factory loads but alas those same powders do keep the 308 out front just a little if you handload. If the so called dating app is correct my new baby was minted in 1926. I’ve always had a thing for older women! It also has the distinction of being the basis for 308. So what do you think, should the gun rags get on the ball here and show some love or am I going to have to try this on for myself?

June 24, 2021, 04:51 PM	#3
Scorch Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2006 Location: Washington state Posts: 15,248	For the better part of the last century, the 300 Savage was a well-loved and well-thought of cartridge. It was chambered in Savage sporting rifles including the 99, Reminton 721 and 722s, Winchester 54s, and several others. It stood the test of time. As new cartridges hit the shelves, manufacturers other than Savage dropped it in favor of the 308 family of cartridges. When Savage redesigned the 99 for the 308 family of cartridges, it was the end of the line for the old cartridge, but it is still respected and admired. Lots of love out there for it! __________________ Never try to educate someone who resists knowledge at all costs. But what do I know? Summit Arms Services

June 24, 2021, 06:09 PM	#6
458winshooter Senior Member Join Date: June 16, 2008 Location: Transplanted to Ridgeland,SC Posts: 606	No love Thank you for all the responses but what I'm getting at is the 100th birthday and no fanfare. It should have gotten some attention from the gun mags. It deserves better. It was also chambered in Remington's 81 semi auto.

June 25, 2021, 03:47 PM	#12
Ricklin Senior Member Join Date: February 22, 2008 Location: SW Washington state Posts: 2,016	A 99 is on my short list, would be quite happy with either a .250 or a .300 Savage. A takedown model would be icing on the cake. Would have to be a giveaway price wise, tho. So many guns, so little time. I have my hunting needs very well covered now. __________________ ricklin Freedom is not free

June 26, 2021, 09:56 AM	#23
10-96 Senior Member Join Date: October 19, 2005 Location: Tx Panhandle Territory Posts: 4,160	So back to Savages. Did the .300 bring about the demise of the rimmed .303 Savage, or did the .303 just simply fail to compete with Winchester's .30-30? The .300 was definitely a step up in performance from the .303, but I still wonder what killed it off? __________________ Rednecks... Keeping the woods critter-free since March 2, 1836. (TX Independence Day) I suspect a thing or two... because I've seen a thing or two.

June 24, 2021, 03:36 PM	#2
ligonierbill Senior Member Join Date: May 20, 2007 Posts: 2,458	No love? Where I come from, it is still a popular hunting round. It is the base cartridge for the 308. But don't worry. If others don't want it, just more ammo for you.

June 24, 2021, 05:03 PM	#4
eastbank Senior Member Join Date: February 7, 2008 Location: pa. Posts: 2,450	300 savages were made only in the 722, not the 721,s(long action) i had three. two remington 722,s and classic remington 700, i sold one of the 722,s to a good friend. loaded to near the top for a bolt action it will come close to a .308.

June 24, 2021, 05:12 PM	#5
HiBC Senior Member Join Date: November 13, 2006 Posts: 8,288	It might be a mistake to confuse love with popularity. They aren't quite the same. My perception is folks who have a Sav 99 in 300 Savage love them. There are not a lot of them available. I'm sure you would have no problem selling yours. But side by side,the new gun buyer has a lot of valid reason to choose the 308. Availability,for one. I have a Remington Model 81 semi-auto in 300 Savage,. Its IMO,the best cartridge that rifle was made in.

June 25, 2021, 09:38 AM	#7
105kw Senior Member Join Date: June 30, 2017 Location: Columbia Basin Washington Posts: 415	Wayne Van Zwoll did a article in Guns magazine in June, other then that, nothing. People that have and use one, love them. To most people it's another old cartridge. Which is sad, the Savages, and Remingtons are great classic hunting guns. Head and shoulders above a 30-30, not far behind a 308.

June 25, 2021, 10:20 AM	#8
Don Fischer Senior Member Join Date: March 2, 2017 Posts: 1,868	The 300 Savage is not a magnum. All it does is kill stuff with goof bullet's. American's are overall not hunter's, they are shooter's. Read what most write when asking about cartridges. Theyu all need something good to 400 or 500 yds, even if they don't have the skill. I'd bet a 300 Savage shot well placed at 500 yds will kill pretty much anything.

June 25, 2021, 10:37 AM	#9
Radny97 Senior Member Join Date: July 8, 2015 Posts: 1,021	You’re right, it deserves more attention. It’s probably the perfect hunting cartridge. Good to 350 yards for anything up to and including elk. Low recoil. Twist rates in most rifles can run 125 gr to 180 gr bullets for a wide variety of applications. Short actions. It really does most things well. Plus it frequently comes in one of the best hunting rifles ever made: the Savage 99. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

June 25, 2021, 11:27 AM	#10
Geezerbiker Senior Member Join Date: March 20, 2011 Location: Willamina, OR Posts: 1,908	I'm still wondering why the .250 Savage has all but disappeared... There's a lot of good rounds that seem to fade away for no good reason. Tony

June 25, 2021, 12:26 PM	#11
ligonierbill Senior Member Join Date: May 20, 2007 Posts: 2,458	It's not really a good reason; the 250 Savage is just as good as it always was. But the quarter bores, with the exception of the 257 "Roy", have been pretty much pushed aside by the 243 Winchester. I'm a fan of the 257 Roberts (folks get testy when you call it "Bob"), but maybe I should strike a blow for the 250 Savage and buy one!

June 25, 2021, 05:14 PM	#13
HiBC Senior Member Join Date: November 13, 2006 Posts: 8,288	Folks look for good cartridges to use in a little Howa bolt action. I don't know for sure a 250 Savage would fit the mag box,but if it will,Why not? The 250 Savage is one of the cartridges that responds well to the AI treatment,if a person was into that. They put slow twist for light bullets in the older Savage 99 rifles.They don't do well with over 100 gr bullets....Except now you know why there was a 117 gr Round nose.Those are shorter and may stabilize. But use a 1 in 10 barrel and the 115 gr Nosler Ballistic tip is a good bullet. BC is .435 Its killed well for me out of my 257R AI. I have never owned a 250, but IMO,it would make a sweet deer rifle inside 300 yds.

June 25, 2021, 11:00 PM	#16
Bart B. Senior Member Join Date: February 15, 2009 Posts: 8,927	Frankfort arsenal bought a few thousand 300 Savage cases from Winchester to help develop the 30 caliber service cartridge that replaced the 30-06. Then Winchester introduced a commercial version that was more accurate than the 30-06.

June 26, 2021, 01:02 AM	#17
Geezerbiker Senior Member Join Date: March 20, 2011 Location: Willamina, OR Posts: 1,908	I settled for a .25-06 when I really wanted a .250 Savage. Now money and space in the gun safe are both too low to go looking for one more rifle... Adding another gun to my safe would mean I got it for a killer good price or as a gift. I don't expect either to happen... Tony

June 26, 2021, 05:10 AM	#18
ligonierbill Senior Member Join Date: May 20, 2007 Posts: 2,458	44AMP, your reverence is touching. But I actually load for and shoot a 257 Roberts, Bob, or whatever you may call it. That's one more guy keeping it alive and shootin'. I'm much too old to be concerned with insults and name calling, especially on line.

June 26, 2021, 07:44 AM	#20
Don Fischer Senior Member Join Date: March 2, 2017 Posts: 1,868	Calling cartridges by cute names frustrates me to tears!

June 26, 2021, 07:49 AM	#22
Don Fischer Senior Member Join Date: March 2, 2017 Posts: 1,868	Not so much about insults or name calling I don't believe but about a learning curve for new people to shooting. We see this stuff all the time and has to be confusing for the new people. so is it a 257 Bob or a 257 Robert's? What's the difference in them? call it what it is!

June 26, 2021, 09:59 AM	#24
taylorce1 Senior Member Join Date: November 18, 2005 Location: On the Santa Fe Trail Posts: 8,249	Well, we can't get hung up on what people call cartridges until we get them to stop calling them calibers. That bothers me far more than using "Roy" or "Bob". It is far more annoying to hear people say what caliber should I buy for elk .300 Win vs. .30-06. __________________ NRA Life Member

June 26, 2021, 10:12 AM	#25
ligonierbill Senior Member Join Date: May 20, 2007 Posts: 2,458	I would say both. Obviously, the 30 WCF started rolling in 1895, or at least as soon as folks bought into that newfangled smokeless powder, and it's still going. The 300 Savage was actually aimed at the 30-06. The initial load of a 150 gr bullet at 2,700 duplicated the military load at the tme. I keep mine at about 2,650. The "Aught 6" in modern loads leaves it in the shade. Growing up, I often heard the 300 Savage disparaged as a "glorified 30-30".