Can anyone give me the information as to when this thing was made and what is actually is?Attachment 80771Attachment 80772Attachment 80773
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Can anyone give me the information as to when this thing was made and what is actually is?Attachment 80771Attachment 80772Attachment 80773
Sure looks like a Mod 99 Savage to me!
Are there no markings on it anywhere other than what you show? There should be!
As to when made - I'd guess before 1960?
Sarge
History
Savage Arms created the .303 Savage as part of an unsuccessful attempt at creating a cartridge for the military. Although the cartridge was never popular with the military, it did become a popular round for civilian hunters. Being a pointed-tip rimmed cartridge, it worked well in the Model 99 rifles that Savage produced because of their rotary magazine. However it wasn't as successful in other lever-action rifles because of their tubular magazines. However, the pointed-tip bullets gave it a ballistic advantage over other traditional lever-action cartridges such as the .30-30 Winchester.
Reloading
The .303 Savage has a small, but loyal fraternity of shooters who reload this cartridge. While major ammunition manufacturers have long since halted production of ammo, dedicated followers can procure loaded ammunition and brass cases through smaller enterprises. The brass cases can be formed from other more popular cases, most notable the .303 British service round. .30-40 Krag brass cases can be formed into .303 Savage dimensions as well.
The .220 Swift cartridge can be made into a passable .303 Savage cartridge, as they are very close in most dimensions, and after forming the .220 Swift is easily cut to proper length.
Non-compatibility with .303 British
As with any firearm, it is essential to use the correct type of ammunition. The .303 Savage and the .303 British cartridge are not interchangeable with each other. Neither the bullet diameter nor the cartridge dimensions are compatible. Attempting to use .303 Savage ammunition in a firearm chambered for .303 British may be unpleasant, but since the bullet diameter of the Savage is 0.308 and the British 0.311, there shouldn't be too much of a problem. The converse is not true. Attempting to chamber a .303 British cartridge in a .303 Savage weapon is guaranteed to have serious consequences. Such attempts will severely damage the firearm and possibly injure the user.
Pic ~ the Savage 303 round is on the left
I would guess that is a Pre-war Savage 99 due to the straight stock, straight, lever and 303 caliber. Production dates can be found here: Savage 1895/1899/99 Dates of Manufacture
It may also be a takedown version but hard to tell by a photo.
The 303 Savage cartridge with the 190 gr bullet was an old favorite among hunters and guides in Maine years ago, better choice than the 30-30 cartridge.
The Savage Model 99 was once offered chambered for 358 Winchester too which was an excellent woods cartridge
I have seen the result of someone firing a 303 Savage in a Lee Enfield at a local range years ago, no damage to the Lee Enfield but the 303 Savage case was split open
on the sides and black color
I have a 300 Savage that looks exactly like it. Takedown. My first rifle and I carried it for 7 years until I bought a modern 243 with a clip that I freaking hate but have carried that one for so long I'll never get rid of it. Still have the 300 and take it out every once in a while. Heavy bugger though. I like my 243 but just don't like the clip, it jams sometimes. Never had a jam with the rotary magazine. 300 Savage is now something like $40 a box.
The 300 Savage was an excellent cartridge when introduced in 1920 in the Savage Model 99. The 300 Savage was also tested by US Ordnance at the end of WW2 and over time became the 7,62x51mm NATO.
In my photo: 300 Savage, 300 Savage FA 46, FA 48, FA 49, FA 50,Attachment 80818 FA 52 and FA 54 AP
The cartridge becomes longer and with different angles on the neck
I have seen recently manufactured 303 Savage ammo; IIRC it was made by Prvi Partizan.Quote:
Originally Posted by CINDERS