Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Savage Collectors 303 Savage Pressure Data

Here's one for the reloading cranks. I am playing with Hodgdon's Leverevolution powder for 303 Savage. No data is available for 303 Savage, so I looked at 30-30 data for a similar cartridge.

According to Hodgdon's site, 35 grains of LVR will propel a 150 gr RN in a 30-30 at about 2,314 fps and 28,700 CUP where my current 303 Savage load, 33.5 grains of IMR 4895 is considered Maximum for a 30-30 at 2,213fps and 34300 CUP in a 24" test barrel. Max for LVR in a 30-30 is listed as 38.5 gr compressed, 2,512 fps, 34,800 CUP.

In a late model 1899A with a 26" barrel, my preliminary tests are as follows, all with 150 gr RN:

33.5 gr IMR 4895, average V=2,245 fps
35 gr LVR, average V=2,292 fps
36 gr LVR, average V=2,368 fps. 36 is nearly a full case.

No pressure signs seen on the cases. All show the tiniest (felt more than seen) amount of primer backing in this rifle, none seen in my 99G.

Based upon the above data, if it is accurate, the LVR should be safer in my old 303's than my old reliable 4895 load from a pressure standpoint, yet yield higher velocities.

SAAMI never developed pressure data for 303 Savage as it is considered obsolete. (Far from it IMHO).

Here are the comparables:

30-30 WIN: 42,000 psi
250 SAV: 42,000 CUP
300 SAV: 47,000 psi

What say the sages on this site? Any estimate for safe (conservative) max CUP or psi loads in a 303 SAV? I am not interested in pushing the limits on the 303 Savage, I want to be able to fire it in my 1895 as well as several early 1899's, but from the data it appears that I could safely use the 36 gr LVR load and still run lower pressures than my old 4895 load.

I know the collectors will wince and say I should shoot soft lead at 1800 fps or something, but I want to hunt deer and antelope a little on the plains of Wyo with a couple of my favorite Savages, so a little more velocity would help in the 100 to 150 yd range. None will be fired often, too many guns, not enough time.

I have played around with the .303 and Leverevolutuion powder and had no issues and no pressure signs with 38.5 Grains of Leverevolution powder and 160 grain Hornady FTX bullets that are supposedly moving at 2447 FPS according to the following article I got the load from:

http://home.earthlink.net/~mhclary/LEVERevolution%20Powder.pdf

For reloading 303, I've always used 30-30 data for .308 bullets. Start from minimum, and I stop at mid-range loads. Never had a problem, and I know a lot of people who use the same data.

The barrel/bolt/receiver that shoots your 303 Savage loads was used to shoot 30-30, just with a different chamber cut in it. So they are definitely strong enough to handle any 30-30 load.

It doesn't make sense to me that the velocity is getting such a boost with LeverEvoloution, and that the pressure is not keeping pace. Might it be, as with most obsolete cartridges, that the SAAMI pressures are guided by the lowest common denominator (..the weakest action the cartridge might be chambered in)?

My take is that the 99 and 303 must be able take more pressure than most of us give it credit for. I am intrigued though, I will need to try some LeverEvolution in my own 303's..., right after hunting season!

I'm running with Winch 190 Silver-tips this year, last year 150g FN + 3031 (30.5g maybe?, can't remember right now, 2230-2250fps), it did a pass-though a 6-point brisket with not enough expansion, deer ran off with only one spot of blood, and was seen alive on the camera 2 months later.

What 150g bullets are you trusting to expand in soft tissue, at 2300fps?

I'm not a sage but I'd say that those ares some pretty respectable velocities for the 303 with no or little pressures signs. Especially when considering that the factory loading for the 190-grain, if I recollect correctly, was below 2000-fps. For some crazy reason I always thought it would be fun making a 303-35. As we are talking "reloading cranks" here, I wonder how that would compare with the 35-Remington using LVR powder.

JeffG, Hornaday makes a 160gr FTX bullet for the 30-30 specifically made to expand well at lower velocity's and factory 30 30 loads typically chrono at 2200-2250 FPS in a 16" barrel. The .300 Blackout guys are using these 160 grain FTX bullets at lower velocities with success on deer. It may be an option for you.

Can't tell you anything about the pressure except it is within the Saami specs of 42,000 PSI.


I have not used this FTX bullet for hunting in the 303 so can't tell you anything about it's ability to expand on game animals.


If you buy this FTX Bullet, the box is exactly the same as the .308 FTX Bullet but with the part number 1 number less being 30395. Easy to grab the wrong one. it says 30-30 in small print at the bottom of the label.

Thanks guys for the input, the article about LVR was very interesting. JeffG, LVR's claim to fame is that it is an advanced power which can achieve higher V with less P than the older powders. I am using the Hornady Interlock 150 grain .308 Round Nose. I have not been able to find out what Hornady recommends for velocity range to achieve proper expansion.

I'm going to load up a few more and put them on paper too see how they do for accuracy when elk hunting and Thanksgiving are done. Will report results.

I will have to read the article as it would be interesting knowing the science behind their claim to higher velocities with lower pressures.

I believe it's advantage is that it maintains its max pressure a bit longer. So others peak and drop fast, this peaks and stays at peak longer. So no more max pressure than others, but more pressure before bullet exits barrel.