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Posted By: dave358 303 history - 02/12/24
I have wondered about the history of the 303 but have not had a successful search. My main question has been the last year of production, I have a T in 303 from 1937 which started my search. I have found when it started, how to reload it, and how good or bad people think it is but no end of production date. I thought I would ask the experts about the date and if anyone knows of any other rifle chambered for it. Thanks for any help.
Posted By: Calhoun Re: 303 history - 02/12/24
The 303 Savage cartridge was developed probably in 1893. It went on sale with the first Savage 1895's in late 1895 (public sales really were beginning of 1896).
The last catalogued 99's in 303 Savage was in 1940, but 303's kept slipping out here and there up until 1946.

The 99T was made from 1935 to 1940, tho again.. a few more slipped out.

99T's in 303 Savage are very uncommon, and very collectible.
Posted By: Rick99 Re: 303 history - 02/12/24
...I don't think it was commercially chambered by any other manufacture.
Posted By: gregintenn Re: 303 history - 02/12/24
Sounds like a wonderful rifle.
Posted By: zcm82 Re: 303 history - 02/13/24
Originally Posted by Calhoun
The 303 Savage cartridge was developed probably in 1893. It went on sale with the first Savage 1895's in late 1895 (public sales really were beginning of 1896).
The last catalogued 99's in 303 Savage was in 1940, but 303's kept slipping out here and there up until 1946.

The 99T was made from 1935 to 1940, tho again.. a few more slipped out.

99T's in 303 Savage are very uncommon, and very collectible.

I bet one of you more hardcore guys has it, but a phone ago I had downloaded a little article about Arthur Savage deer hunting (quite badly, btw) with a prototype in 1893 or 4. I have been unable to find it again through Google Fu.
Posted By: dave358 Re: 303 history - 02/13/24
Thanks for the help, the first 99 t I owned was a 300,I was an idiot and sold it but I remember it had a serial of 42xxxxx. I wish I had known more about them in those days and yes I still kick myself when I think of that gun.
Posted By: wyo1895 Re: 303 history - 02/13/24
must have been one of the last produced.
Posted By: TDLever Re: 303 history - 02/13/24
I was a kid in the 50's and you could go into a Western Auto and buy them for a very nominal price, I wish I had started buying them up back then, they are more valuable than the silver I been holding onto forever.
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