Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Savage Collectors Reloading 303 Savage

Just picked up another 99, this one in 303 Savage. I'm not new to reloading but I am new to reloading this caliber. So what are the best bullets and powders? Any preference on brass? Midway has some Norma brass in stock, I understand Graf and Sons also stocks brass.

I'll be hunting whitetails and possibly pigs.

thanks in advance,
CHB

Norma is the best and only new brass available that I know of. Better than Jamison when it shows up, from what I hear. As to loads and powders, just load it up with bullets and powder just as you would a 30-30. The case sizes are practically identical and the loads work fine.

What's the details on the 99? Year? Model?

You'll like that .303 for hunting, kinda of nostalgic and all. I've settled on 170 grain Hornady flat points and 31.5 grains IMR 4320, Remington 9 1/2 primmer and Norma cases. I crimp the bullet in as well. This load gives me about 1,950 fps and is very accurate, 1.5" @ 100yds with tang sights in two of my .303s. You could get more velocity, probably 2,100 fps or so, by adding a grain or two of powder but I feel the lower pressure is easier on my old guns (1906 B and 1908 C). The cases last a long time as well. I can vouch for this loads effectiveness on deer.

I,m about to delve into the world of cast bullets for the .303. I just read through an article by Mike Nesitt in the May-June 1985 Handloader on loading the .303 Savage(thanks 303Mike). Makes me want to try casting bullets and duplicating some of those loads.

Midway has been out of brass for a while, I had to get some from Huntingtons

Ryan

I'll have to do more reloading with the .303 myself 'cause I just got another one. And, I've always favored the bullets that are heavier than what the .30/30 generally uses so I like to shoot the 180 grain round nosed bullets over 30 grains of #3031. Velocity should be just over 2,000 fps. In a good .303 that's just like going home.

Thanks to all who've posted suggestions. By the time my brass, dies and bullets get here I should have the barrel scrubbed out and be ready to get to the range.

The best I can tell it's an 1899-A. Serial number is 90XXX so that should be a 1909 DOM. It's a 26" barrel with the Rocky Mtn. sights and a perch belly straight grip. It's got some wear, the receiver finish is gone mostly grey from carry and the stock has had a chip repaired on top of the wrist. It looks good enough that I'm happy with it for the price I paid, but not so pretty I'll be afraid to take it to the woods.

Yep, if that's a round barrel on that rifle then it's an 1899A. You're going to like it..