.303 Savage

Infobox Firearm Cartridge
name= .303 Savage


caption= .303 Savage cartridge dimensions
origin= flagcountry|United States
type= Rifle
service=
used_by=
wars=
designer= Savage Arms
design_date=
manufacturer=Savage Arms
production_date=1895
number=
variants=
is_SI_specs=
parent=
case_type=Rimmed, bottleneck
bullet=.308
neck=.333
shoulder=.413
base=.442
rim_dia=.505
rim_thick=.063
case_length=2.015
length=
rifling=
primer=Large rifle
is_SI_ballistics=
bw1=170
btype1=SP
vel1=2090
en1=1649
bw2=
btype2=
vel2=
en2=
bw3=
btype3=
vel3=
en3=
bw4=
btype4=
vel4=
en4=
bw5=
btype5=
vel5=
en5=
test_barrel_length=
balsrc= [http://data.hodgdon.com/cartridge_load.asp .303 Savage reload data at Hodgdon]

The .303 Savage cartridge is a rimmed, .30 caliber rifle cartridge developed by the Savage Arms Company in 1894 which was designed as a short action cartridge for their popular "Savage Model 1899 and 99" hammerless lever action rifle. The cartridge was designed for smokeless gunpowder at a time when black-powder cartridges were still popular. The .303 Savage round was ballistically superior to the .30-30 Winchester, but only marginally. The .303 Savage remained popular through the 1930s. [http://www.chuckhawks.com/subscribers/rifle_cartridge_page/303_savage.htm The .303 Savage by Chuck Hawks (subscription required)] ]

History

Savage Arms created the .303 Savage as part of an unsuccessful attempt at creating a cartridge for the military. Although the cartridge was never popular with the military, it did become a popular round for civilian hunters. Being a pointed-tip rimmed cartridge, it worked well in the Model 99 rifles that Savage produced, but not as successfully in other rifles. However, the pointed-tip bullets gave it a ballistic advantage over other cartridges such as the .30-30.

Reloading

The .303 Savage has a small, but loyal fraternity of shooters who reload this cartridge. While major ammunition manufacturers have long since halted production of ammo, dedicated followers can procure loaded ammunition and brass cases through smaller enterprises. The brass cases can be formed from other more popular cases, most notable the .303 British service round. 30-40 Krag brass cases can be formed into .303 Savage dimensions as well. Reloading ammunition and reformimg brass cases should not be undertaken by anyone unfamiliar with the subject.

Non-compatibility with .303 British

As with any firearm, it is essential to use the correct type of ammunition. The .303 Savage and the .303 British cartridge are not interchangeable with each other. Neither the bullet diameter nor the cartridge dimensions are compatible. Attempting to use .303 Savage ammunition in a firearm chambered for .303 British (or .303 British cartridges in a .303 Savage weapon) is guaranteed to have serious consequences. Such attempts will severely damage the firearm and possibly injure the user.

References

* [http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0BQY/is_2000_Jan/ai_57886792 Farewell to the Savage 1899 by Holt Bodinson in Guns Magazine Jan 2000]
* [http://www.chuckhawks.com/savage_99.htm The Savage Model 99 by Jon Y Wolfe at Chuck Hawks]
* [http://www.stevespages.com/jpg/cd303savage.jpgCartridge Dimensions at Steve's Pages]

External links

* [http://www.savage99.com Savage 99 Web site]