Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Savage Collectors Reloading help

When I encountered the problem I mentioned a couple days ago I had jacketed bullets falling straight through the case neck. Did you try swapping out the expander ball in your 303 resizing die with a ball from another set of 30-cal dies like I suggested?

I read it as .3095. .395 wouldn't have even passed into the unsized neck.

Math isn't anyone's strong suit here for sure!

75% of us think we're above average

I know there are 25 shots in a fifth of Sailor Jerry! One to eight swallows in a 12 oz. bottle of beer, depending on how dehydrated I am.

Does that mean 25% of us know we are below average?

I can see clearly now...

Nope! The other 25% KNOW they are above average!

My daughter found out my nick name in college was "Shotgun" and thought it was because I liked to hunt. Then some old friends were over and she found out it was really because that's how I drank beer, one swallow per 12 ounce can. Was instantly elevated to Dorm Legend.

Hello all,
Just a short Sunday comment on how things are progressing with my 303 reloading. I have good news and bad news. The good news is, RCBS sent me a new expander ball that fits my 303 savage full length resizing die. The old one, that I was trying to use, was for the 303 British. Just as many of you had surmised. So my new cases are full length resized and ready for powder and bullets. Now for the bad news! My first attempt was to use Barnes TSX .308 150gr bullet. They were too long and crushed my case ( that was the reason I was questioning a "compressed load".) Next I used my new ballistic silvertip .308 150gr. Bullet. With the Seater plug unscrewed to the very top it still crushed the tip of my bullet when I tried to seat it. ( I am trying to reach the total loaded length of 2.510 of my completed shell.)
So, I have contacted RCBS and asked them if I can just send my entire die package back to them for their review. I'm questioning whether the Seater die is also for The 303 British. ??
I'm going to the range tomorrow to shoot three or four of my original 3O3 Savage "silvertip" shells. I just can't wait any longer to fire this rifle. I'll keep you posted as things develop. Merry Christmas and happy new year to all of you and your families, and thanks for your help.
WhipseY

RCBS may be a bit challenged when it comes to the 303 Savage but they are pretty top shelf when it comes to customer service. I’d be interested in knowing how your theory plays out as there is a significant difference in case shape and size between the 303 Savage and Brit. Best of luck.

Thanks for the Christmas wishes and a Merry Christmas to you too. I hunted my 303 F yesterday and the end results were good, but everything in the middle was a bit wonky. I had a nice buck walk out at the very far edge of the field. My friends farm I hunted has a 300 yard range in that field. Their son got into High Power when he was in high school, and that was where he had his 300 yard range set up. He later got into 1000 yard shooting and that range had the trap under the stand I hunted too. So the distances aren't guesses. My 1927 F was sighted in at 100 yards with Winchester 190 gr Silver tips. In the excitement of being the last few minutes of daylight on the last day of the season, I aimed dead on at the far edge of the field. Needles to say the bullet probably hit about half way to the deer. I fired 3 shots and the deer ran closer each time. The fourth shot was right about 100 yards and was dead on. Just remember if you try those 190's they drop a lot. Good luck with your other problems. When you get them ironed out I think you will really like the 303. I sure like mine.

For my 1899B .303 rifles I'm using 180 grain round nose Hornady Interlocks and 26 grains of IMR 3031 powder. I wanted to keep the bullet weight up to near what Savage originally designed the .303 around. As you're well aware, it's tough to find a newer bullet profile that keeps you inside the MOAL.

Yeah, the 303 Savage (like the 30-30) is going to have problems with overall length when used with a spitzer bullet. By the time you push the bullet in far enough to make the overall length work with an 1899 magazine, you've lost a lot of room for powder.

A 125gr probably works fine. For heavier 150/170/180/190 grain bullets, find a flat or round nosed bullet.

Thanks Calhoun, NEW bullets for sale--- Barnes .308 TSX, 49total (one is stuck in my case). $25. Email me, oldigericloud.com. Sorry. 150 gr
WhispY

I'd start with a proven 30-30 load with round nose bullets, or find yourself a 50-year old Lyman reloading manual. I'm not so sure a spitzer is really going to buy you much in this class of cartridge. Again, best of luck.

Hi that 303 f has a 20 in barrel right? I had problems with factory loads I loaded a hornady 150 gr with a 30-30 load and the result was dramaticly different.. the heavier bullets didn't expand

" My first attempt was to use Barnes TSX .308 150gr bullet. They were too long and crushed my case ..."

Are you crimping the bullet? Not sure why you would crush the case unless you are crimping and then trying to set the bullet deeper.

I’d also try some lead bullets. It’s been years, but my 303 F loved them.