303 Savage Pressure Data - 11/13/18
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.
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.