With Winchester being successful with many different models chambered in many different rounds. Wouldn't it have been likely that Savage would have chambered a few in 30-30 to be used to compare to the 303, since the 303 was his first cartridge design.
Why wouldn't they just buy a Winchester in 30-30 to compare it to? $15 for an 1895 rifle (or less) was probably cheaper than what Marlin would have charged them.
I'm doubting that Arthur was very eager to use or even consider Winchester cartridges after Winchester and others charged him with corruption in the 1896 New York military trials and he almost came to blows with a Winchester rep - and then lost the contract. But, just my opinion and worth what ya paid me for it.
