ANYONE LOAD FOR 303 SAVAGE?

[jonbearman]

I cant seem to find the bore size whether it is .308 or .311? I am assuming you can use poited bullets with the rotary magazine. I have a great selection of .308 stuff but without knowing the bore size gives me a headache,LOL So if anyone can help I would like you to PM me with details. My savage 99 is made in 1911.

 

[Bindi2]

Google is your friend. 308

 

[Ralph Littlefield]

Interesting question. I did a little looking and a couple of places indicated that the bore has always been 308, but initially some ammo was made with 311 bullets to increase the pressure and therefore the velocity.

 

[Bindi2]

Over sized projectiles is a dangerous game with no good up side and may not increase velocity.

 

[Ralph Littlefield]

The 311 ammo came from major ammunition manufacturers.

 

[Kurz]

First and foremost, if you are finding a discrepancy in the groove and/or bore diameters, I suggest that your learn how to slug your barrel in order to establish what the real diameters are for your rifle. It's a simple process of forcing a slightly oversized lead slug through the bore and measuring it accurately. Then write down those measurements and keep them in your log for reloading for that rifle.

Just to play with a couple of the members...

 

[Bill K]

Pm sent too you. Bill K

 

[rogn]

The overall consensus is that a very few may have been made with 0.311" bores early on. All production in the 20th century should be 0.308". Of course if the same people working in QC then are the same ones as now , you had better slug your bore.
BTW the 2020 issue of Hodgdon's powder data manual has a fairly good article on the 303S. My wife just bought one , now if we can just get it shipped up here to the PR of MD.

 

[Tommie]

They’re .308” groove. The cartridge was developed when smokeless powder and jacketed bullets were extremely new technologies. Savage loaded with .311” bullets thinking that would help with gas sealing.

 

[Bill K]

Jon. Your PM came and I will have copies headed your way this afternoon. Hope this helps you. Bill K