303 Savage Info ?

[Ak Guy]

I thought I'd reload some 303 Savage for my dad's old deer rifle, but it must be older than I thought ! So I've got several questions:
Where does one find brass (new or used) for outdated cartridges?
And reloading charts for same? (My Speer manual doesn't have it).
The only dies I've found are Lee. Is there any chance they'll fit my RCBS Rockchucker? Is there a source for outdated RCBS dies, new or used?

Sorry about all the questions. All my reloading has been "standard" stuff.

 

[Shoney]

Where does one find brass (new or used) for outdated cartridges?

Brass for 303 Savage is hard to get nowadays. You might check with the Old Western Scrounger, Remington periodically puts out a batch, or at least used to.
http://www.ows-ammo.com/catalog/
or at Huntingtons they have Norma 303 Sav brass listed on the opening page.
http://www.huntingtons.com/

The only dies I've found are Lee. Is there any chance they'll fit my RCBS Rockchucker.

Dies as you have mentioned are available from Lee or From Redding and will fit your Rockchucker.
http://www.redding-reloading.com/PDF files/seriesc.pdf

And reloading charts for same?

Loads. The Lee dies have load data with their dies. 30-30 data can be used for 303 Savage as well, but use the lighter end to be safe unless your weapon is in superior shape.

I harvested my first dozen or so deer and antelope with my granddads Model 88 Lever 303 Sav. Later when brass got scarce, I got the info on how to make 303 Savage brass from 30-30 Brass. I know it can be done, but never tried it.

 

[dakotasin]

a gun shop here in town has, or at least had, 303 loaded ammo - i think it is federal but am not sure on that. you could burp the cases if all else failed. i'll check to see if they still have it next time i'm out there if you might be interested.

your lee dies will fit your rockchucker just fine.

 

[cdrt]

This page is from Lyman's #45 reloading manual.

 

[Shoney]

Was reminded after reading cdrt's post, you will need to slug your barrel as suggested. They came anywhere from 0.314 to 0.308. Mine is 0.311. The data he posted shows 0.308 for jacketed.

Good shooting!

 

[Ak Guy]

Thank you, one and all, for the excellent info !! I'll start running those leads to ground.
dakotasin.....Thanx, but don't knock yourself out w/ the "loaded ammo" idea....it's not practical getting ammo shipped to Alaska, unfortunately.