Will a Savage 88 .308 fire modern rounds?

[Panzercat]

Simple question. Or even a savage 99 for that matter. I know next to nothing about them and I can't get a precise enough answer from google. As an aside, I guess the next question is do you even want it to I guess this naturally extends to 7.62mm as well. If looks like they can endure .308 remingtons, but beyond that, i reamin uncertain/informed.

Thanks peeps


[edit & for your verification]

"Before we go much further, we want to address the oft-posed question “are the .308 Winchester and 7.62×51 NATO one and the same.” The simple answer is no. There are differences in chamber specs and maximum pressures. The SAMMI/CIP maximum pressure for the .308 Win cartridge is 62,000 psi, while the 7.62×51 max is 50,000 psi. Also, the headspace is slightly different. The .308 Win “Go Gauge” is 1.630″ vs. 1.635″ for the 7.62×51. The .308′s “No-Go” dimension is 1.634″ vs. 1.6405″ for a 7.62×51 “No Go” gauge. That said, it is normally fine to shoot quality 7.62×51 NATO ammo in a gun chambered for the .308 Winchester (though not all NATO ammo is identical). Clint McKee of Fulton Armory notes: “[N]obody makes 7.62mm (NATO) ammo that isn’t to the .308 ‘headspace’ dimension spec. So 7.62mm ammo fits nicely into .308 chambers, as a rule.” You CAN encounter problems going the other way, however. A commercial .308 Win round can exceed the max rated pressure for the 7.62×51. So, you should avoid putting full-power .308 Win rounds into military surplus rifles that have been designed for 50,000 psi max."

 

[250-3000]

I have my grandfathers Model 88 Win in 308, loves the 180 Gr Remington ammo, more accurate than the 150 Gr Remington, but also kicks a whole lot more. The Model 88 is a modern design with a multi-lug rotating bolt so is plenty strong.

My Uncle had a Model 99 Savage in 308, also worked fine with factory ammo as far as I know. You can figure out my Model 99 from my signature.

Just realized you had a Savage 88 in your post, I am not familiar with this model, did you mean a Winchester Model 88 lever action?

 

[sappyg]

the 308 is a fairly high pressure modern round. both guns are more suited to short OAL cartriges. the Win 88 and the Savage 99 have both been chambered for the 308.
i guess the question really is what do you have in mind? they will more likely be limited by the rim diameter of the cartrige... think .284 with a rebated rim here. the rotary magazine of the 99 would also pose an issue i think.

 

[W L Johnson]

A commercial .308 Win round can exceed the max rated pressure for the 7.62×51. So, you should avoid putting full-power .308 Win rounds into military surplus rifles that have been designed for 50,000 psi max."

If a 308 is going to a problem then a 7.62x51 is probably going to a problem when it comes to pressure. They are in fact the same pressure. That 50,000 number for 7.62x51 that seems to have a life of it own on the internet is in CUP not PSI. 7.62x51 (7.62 NATO) chambers are proofed to 75,000 psi per NATO docs.
In mil surplus rifles the problem is the slight head space difference between the two rounds, most mil surps are ok but some can be border line on head space.

edit: for info CUP means Copper Units of Pressure

 

[Owen]

.308 is a modern rifle cartridge. No problems with having to take a black powder past into account.

 

[goon]

The Savage is a pretty strong action. When the bolt locks into the reciever it is basically a solid block of steel locking the cartridge in. I'd have no reservations whatsoever shooting modern .308 ammunition in a 99 Savage in good shape.

 

[rcmodel]

Will a Savage 88 .308 fire modern rounds?

If it says .308 Win on the barrel it will.

But Savage never made a Model 88.
Winchester made a Model 88 lever-action and Savage made a model 99 lever-action.

Both were chambered at some point in .308 Win, and are prefectly safe if they are in good condition.

Just do not confuse the Savage Model 99 chambered in .300 Savage with one chambered in .308 Winchester.
They are not even close to the same thing.

The .30 Remington was another different caliber used in Remington pump-action rifles and it is not a .308 Win either.

rc

 

[BrocLuno]

My Savage 99 in 308 shoots factory ammo just fine

 

[goon]

Yep. A .308 won't chamber in a .300 Savage. A .300 Savage would probably slide right into a .308 gun but it would be a bad idea. The .300 is less powerful, but definitely not meant for mix and match.

 

[AIM]

Both my Savage M99 .308 and Winchester M88 .308 are great hunting guns that handle modern ammo very well and send the bullets where you want them.

 

[Panzercat]

Appreciate the help. So it sounds like a yes for .308 win and most 7.62mm ammo, just don't confuse .300 or anything silly like that. Thanks again