Among my favorite cartridges is a hard hitting, accurate, and soft-kicking number known as the .300 Savage. The .300 Savage has been chambered in the Savage 99 lever action rifle most famously, but also a number of bolt action rifles. Among these is an early Savage rifle that is the model for the modern Kimber bolt action.
The .300 Savage enjoys a storied history. The cartridge was developed shortly after World War I. Americans were happy with lever action rifles but wanted something more powerful than the .30-30 or the .303 Savage. They wanted something comparable to the Springfield .30-06 cartridge.
The Savage 99 lever action had reached the limit of leverage for smooth operation in a lever action rifle. A longer cartridge would not have worked as well and demanded considerable redesign. Savage instead designed a cartridge with the same case head as the .30-06—this would be very important after World War II—but with an overall length of 2.6 inches compared to the .30-06’s 3.34 inches. The result was a cartridge nearly as powerful as the .30-06. The .300 Savage is distinctly superior to the .30-30 WCF, more so because the rotary magazine of the .300 Savage rifle allowed the use of spritzer-type cartridges.
After World War II, the U.S. Army wanted a shorter cartridge than the .30-06, but one with plenty of .30 caliber power. It took a hard look at the .300 Savage, and with a judicious redesign, it had the .308 Winchester cartridge chambered in the then-new M14 rifle.
The .308 Winchester has a longer neck and is more powerful than the .300 Savage. While .300 Savage brass is much more difficult to come by, all of the components used in the .308 Winchester may be used in the .300 Savage. So, handloading is the way to go.
I have used IMR 4895 powder for many years but recent experience with the new Varget powder has also been positive. Now, if you really need to, you may resize and trim .308 Winchester brass into the .300 Savage. At present, the ammunition shortage has abated, and we can order all the .300 Savage we desire.
I full length resize the brass and crimp the bullets in place just as I would with a load intended for use in a semi-auto. I have found that proper feed and function in this high power lever action demands this extra care compared to a bolt-action rifle. These are the loads I have settled on.
Performance |
||
|---|---|---|
| Hornady 150-grain SST | 41.0 Varget | 2,730 fps |
| 40.0 IMR 4895 | 2,580 fps | |
| Hornady 155-grain HST | 40.1 IMR 4896 | 2,616 fps |
| Hornady 180-grain Interlock | 43.0 W 760 | 2,220 fps |
| 44.0 W 760 | 2,390 fps | |
With the 150-grain bullets, the Savage 99 rifle is very accurate—delivering 2 moa or less with these combinations. I do not like the 180-grain loads as much, although if hunting heavy-body moose or bear at moderate range, I would choose these loads. The case capacity compared to the .30-06 limits the use of heavy bullets. However, the .300 Savage has over 200 fps advantage over the .30-30 Winchester, when the .30-30 is loaded with 17- grain bullets. This is useful performance.
I enjoy this cartridge very much. The recoil is no more than the .30-30 and subjectively less than the .308. The rifle is plenty accurate to 200 yards for use against thin-skinned game. The .300 Savage is a classic cartridge I simply would hate to be without.
Is there a classic cartridge, such as the .300 Savage, you would hate to be without? Share your answer in the comment section.
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I would not like to be without my 350 Rem Mag. I own a Model 673 and would by a Model 660 if I could find a good one.
My dads 300 savage was the first rifle I learned to shoot and got my first kill with (a lamb), I wish he had never gotten rid of it. Now that he’s passed away I have all of his guns in my safe, including the first gun I ever shot, a Remington Model 11, that he purchased after the Navy discharged him at the end of WWII. There’s also a Remington Model 24, .22 short next to it in the safe, for an almost 100 year old rifle it is flawless.
I have a Remington 722 in .300 Savage that was my grandfathers that he bought in 1949. This rifle was given to me when I was 12 and has been my primary deer rifle ever since. I also have two Savage 99’s that are great rifles though not quite as accurate as the 722.
Hand loading is the way to go as I have some loads that will deliever 3.5 inch groups at 200 yards.including a 135 grain that pushes 2900 FPS and is perfect as a deer and varmet round.
Loads from 120 to 170 grain are possible and in the heaver bullet weights and out to 150 to 200 yards bear and Elk can be and have been taken for years
The .300 Savage Is definitely a superb game round that has a strong following amongst those who know about it.
Brings back memories of my first hunts. I used my dad’s Model 99 in .300 Savage. I took my first mule deer buck and my first pronghorn with it. I’ve since acquired many different rifles of my own but that rifle is near and dear to my heart. My father is still alive (he’s 85) and when he passes that Savage will be passed on to me. Who knows maybe one of my grandchildren may want to use it.
This is a great all purpose round,easy to shoot and very accurate.
My grandma would get a few white tail every year with a 300 savage, I’ve never seen any information on it until now though.
Hello, I live in Ontario, Canada, and we hunt with hounds in some thickly timbered areas where 100 yards for deer or bear is a long shot. Our Moose territory may require slightly longer shots. Regardless, 300 Savage in a Savage 99 is an excellent choice– I have three 99s in 300 Savage and one in 308 Winchester. Great old guns– well made, accurate, and reliable. I, and some of the finest old hunters I’ve ever known, trust them. I do not want a fancy new magnum.
My Dad bought a Savage 99 in .300 Savage before I was born. I used it to take my first Alaskan Bull Moose when I was 12 years old. Back then in Alaska we used the Remington 180 round nose jacketed soft point (this load has sadly been dropped from production). My dad still has that rifle, so I had to go find one for myself. Ended up finding a 1958 vintage 99 also in .300 Savage, which I quickly put a nice old peep sight on it just like the one on my dads rifle. What a sweet shooting rifle. I’ve taken it hunting a few times in California but have yet to fire a round at game, but I know what it can do. I plan to take it out next t
I am looking for parts for my .300 Savage and I am hoping someone on here will be able to point me in the right direction to find some.
EBay oddly has lots of .300 savage parts. Found many for my model 722 in .300 savage. Less for model 99. Good luck
I treasure my 99’s and my bolt action. Also shoot .308, .338 WM, and 30-06, and keep coming back to the 300 Savage. I totally agree with the author – sweet spot for my guns is 40g of IMR4895 pushing 150g Nosler Ballistic Tips. I neck size, even for my 99s, collet crimp, and work the OAL so that bullet just engages the lands when chambered. I can’t bring myself to put a scope on my oldest 99 – those open Buckhorn sights are classic.
In the 60ls I had a 99 in .284 Win. Lovedit, Now back 2 .300. Am 81+ yrs old still hunt n Prospect. The 300will B with me until I die,
I shot a over 9 foot grizz with a 30/30 but never a 300 sav but grandpa shot a few with it loved it he shot a lot of moose an black bears too is was his go to rifle for years then he went to a 270
Im looking to sell my 300 savage by I’m not sure how to go about it! This is by no means a story! My neighbors father got him a gun in the early 50’s his father felt bad he got him one and not his other son. So he went down and bought this gun brand new. They took it out and target shot it no more then 6 shots, from then till now it sat in a safe. He told me he thought it felt tight so he took it to a gunsmith which cleaned it and told him the reason it feel like that is it never been used. The bluing is as close to 99% if not 100 as there isn’t a mark on it. The stock has a 7/16” bump when they put it in the safe, otherwise it looks almost perfect. The stock looks a little dry, but I’m afraid to touch it I’m afraid it my devalue it. The thing even has the original sling and Bushnell scope on it. I’ve been told by many it’s a true jewel and by no means give it away. Contact me if interested. Can send photos. It’s no small valve gun! Has an F so from what I’ve looked up it’s a 1954 I never have fired it!
Put it up on https://www.gunbroker.com/
i would be interested. if you would email me some pics? twhiting44@gmail.com
thanks!
Sounds like potentially a great rifle. Whereabouts are you located?
Acquired a Savage Model 20 in 300 Sav and it’s a gem. Quite accurate thought the trigger isnt all you could hope for and takes some special attention when hunting. A trim, light little sporter that’s a pleasure to hunt with.