Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Savage Collectors 303 savage load for 150gr bullets

I have two 303 savage model 99's. I've been shooting 180's and some cast bullets in them. One of them is a featherweight takedown made in 1912 (believe it is a model 1899F) that has been hard to get accuracy out of. My other rifle is 1920 takedown, believe it's a "A or B", it's much heavier then the 1912 and has full threads.

The other day I decided to try some 150gr Speer bullets that I normally use for other rifles (Speer 2011's). I loaded 30gr of IMR3031, not sure where I got the load data but I probably looked at some 30-30 load data.

Well basically they shot great in the featherweight. Not sure what the velocity is, very little recoil compared to a 180 gr bullet. I was shooting at 100 yards.

Now I want to try some Round nose Sierra 150's (2135's) and some IMR4064, 34gr. This is from Ken Waters load data.

My featherweight takedown has the 1/2 threads and the barrel is really short and thinly tapered.

My question is, just how much can this rifle handle (the 1899F)? Is 34 gr's of 4064 considered a hot load for this rifle?

On the face of it, it sounds like a fairly hot load. I would drop back a few grains and work up. That's always a smart bet when trying new powder/bullet combos. I think a Savage levergun of that era will stand up to any sane load from a reliable source- but remember, these things are 100 years old now and deserve a little mollycoddling.

Your 1912 vintage Featherweight takedown would be an H. The 1920 gun could be one of a couple iterations. A pic would be helpful in identifying.

In a weak moment (considering my predilection for cast bullets in these guns) a couple of years ago I shot up a box of Speer 165 grain RN bullets in a couple of .30 caliber rifles, including .303 Savage. Darn but they shot nicely. They are a discontinued item (isn't that the way it always goes), and something I keep my eyes skinned for.

ottsm, I have a 150 grain Hornady RN load I really like for my 1910 vintage 1899 C in .303. It uses 33 grains of IMR4064 a 9 1/2 primer and Norma cases. I measured the velocity at 2265 and it's deadly accurate. Problem is I've never taken that rifle hunting so I can't give you a report on how it works on game. Should be good.

Looking at a couple of manuals and Hodgdon's web site, this seems a bit stiff. The max loads I see there are 33.3 to 33.7 grains, Hornady even shows a max of 32.3. Also looks like it would be a compressed load.

I'd back it down and work up looking for accuracy.

Below are the two rifles I have in 303 savage, believe I posted them about 6 months to a 1yr ago when I was trying to get the correct sight for one of them. The top one was made in 1920, only defect is the gun swivels. Bore is in great shape. The lower was made in 1912 and has a shotgun butt plate. It has been drilled for a scope and refinished but still looks and functions fine for me. I had a scope on it before but took it off for now, eyes are still doing OK at the moment.



mw406, the 2265 fps velocity is about what the Ken Waters data states although he used 34grs.

I also noticed that the Ken Waters data also shows 31.5grs of IMR30312280fps. Not far off from my 30grs which I'm sure I got from 30-30 data since I didn't have he Ken Waters data at that time. Most of the 30-30 data I have shows about 1gr more for 4064 versus 3031. 31gr of 4064 would probably be a good place for me to start.

Bottom one is an 1899H, top one is an 1899A with takedown option. Or, depending on the serial number, an early 99B. No differences between the two, only change was how they wrote them down in the ledger. Nice rifles.

FWIW, I use 30.2grs of IMR 4895 and the 165 Speer RN in my .303. Nice mild load and accurate.

gnoahhh,

Thanks for the heads up on the Speer RN 165s. Had no clue they are NLA, think I've 50 or so left so I'll be good for a while.

Anybody using 200s in their .303? I'd think a load close to the original 190 loading could be worked up.

Never tried 200's, but my go-to load with a 190 (cast lead) is 28.0 gr. 3031. Accuracy fell off above that, and pressures were rising, so I backed up and stayed there. Kills deer with alacrity!

gnoahhh, whats' your velocity on that 190 cast load? Just interested to compare it to what I'm getting with same bullet and IMR4320.

Ottsm, I chrono all my loads and use the measured velocity as my pressure gauge. If I'm getting "max book" velocity with less powder than I assume I'm at "max pressure". I also assume that my chrono readings can be different than others. But sooner or later you just have to say it's good enough and go with it.

Round Nose Bullets - I tried 180 grain Sierra RN bullets in the .303. At just under 2000 fps muzzle velocity they shot great but when I tested them for expansion in newspaper, they didn't open hardly at all. These bullets are intended for higher velocity cartridges then the .303. I've been meaning to test the 150 grain Hornady RNs. I don't hunt with them but if I did, I'd sure check them out first. I've always assumed that bullets designed to perform in the 30-30 should be used in the .303 for hunting.

mw406, see your point about the round nose bullet, the Sierra manual list about 2200fps as the min load for this bullet. I could see where the original Speer 150 flat nose I loaded first would be better for hunting, I'm sure they had the 30-30 in mind for this bullet design (part# 2011).

A chrono is one item I don't have, yet. Always thought about getting one but never have. If I get back into casting bullets this year I'm going to get one, I'm getting tried of guessing what the velocity might be.