Savage 99 in .303

[48REO]

I just got a Savage 1899B, in .303 caliber and was wondering how the .303 compares to the other modern calibers, like 30-30 or 30-06. Any thoughts? Also, would it be an acceptable round for Elk?

 

[351 WINCHESTER]

It's as close to a .30-30 as you can get.

 

[Swampman]

.303 Savage (not British!) internal ballistics are very slightly better than the 30-30.

Due to the model 99's magazine arrangement, .303 Savage can be loaded with more ballistically efficient spitzer bullets which would give it an additional advantage at longer range. I'm unaware of what's currently available as far as factory loads, the advantage may be only theoretical unless you handload.

None of that is enough to take it out of the 30-30 class of cartridges.

With a well placed shot at reasonably close range it'll kill an elk, but I think that there are better cartridges out there for the job.

 

[Float Pilot]

303 SAVAGE brass is still available. -Also note that the 303 Savage takes a .308 diameter bullet. Back when it was introduced it was slight betetr ballistically than the 30-30 Winchester. Mostly because it could use a pointed bullet due to the rotary magazines in the Savage rifles.

The .303 was the first to be developed by Savage, being initially manufactured by UMC in 1895. They were stamped "S.R.A. CO." with "303". These early Savage brand cartridges were loaded with a 190 grain softpoint bullet and their own smokeless powders. Their claim was 2000 fps, which, with the heavier bullet, gave it more energy that the 30-30. Apparently later, the 180 grain bullet as well as others became more common. Later stamps on Savage cartridges were "S.A. CO." with "303" and, as shown above, "S.A. CORP." with "303 SAV".

Originally they did try loading over-sized bullets into a 30 caliber bore in some sort of attempt to increase velocity via excessive pressure. They gave up on that idea and later loaded the ammo with 308 diameter bullets.

It should also be pointed out that the SAVAGE model 95 (1895) was also chambered in 303 Savage before the Model 99 ever came out.


http://www.grafs.com/retail/catalog/product/productId/12638

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/110519/quality-cartridge-reloading-brass-303-savage-box-of-20

 

[Jim Watson]

While the Savage 99 (and 95) CAN be loaded safely with spitzer bullets, I see no indication that the .303 Savage was actually factory loaded with spitzer bullets. Its claim to fame was that it was loaded with heavier bullets than the .30-30 and .30 Remington. Ken Waters once wrote of Winchester shooters buying the 190 gr .303 bullet to handload in their .30-30s.

I don't think spitzer bullets were a lot of advantage to the iron sight hunting rifle anyhow.

 

[gpb]

In its early days Savage Arms was one of the more innovative firearms companies. Most notable were the Savage 22 High Power and the Savage 250-3000. Both cartridges were ground breakers.

 

[Gordon]

I recently sold the old 99 carbine in .303 that I bought from a Carmel Valley ranch in the 80s along with 3 boxes of Winchester Silvertip 190 grain ammo for $500. I paid $200 back then and got 5 boxes of the mid 80s ammo and shot one box up on the range verifying the Lyman 21 rear erector sight it had on it and the other box shooting at coyotes (near misses off hand up to 300 yards) and a couple blacktail at 70 and 140 yards. The Silkvertip shed it's aluminum cap along a nasty 30-30ish destructive path and left a 1/2" hole on the other side and may still be traveling! A very mellow fun rifle that had 28 "notches" on the forearm for bucks taken since the 30s I was told.