Lindcott Armory Rifle · SAAMI
.303 Savage
Original cartridge developed by Arthur Savage for the Model 1895 lever-action rifle, later evolved into the famous Savage 99.
- Caliber
- 0.311″ · 7.9 mm
- Introduced
- 1894
- Case
- Rimmed
- Primary use
- Hunting
- Status
- Discontinued
- Introduced
- 1894
- Type
- Rifle
- Origin
- United States
- Inventor
- Arthur Savage
- Manufacturer
- Savage Arms
- Standard
- SAAMI
- Status
- Discontinued
- Availability
- Collector
- Case capacity
- 42 gr H₂O
- Twist (typical)
- 1:12
- Primer
- Large Rifle
- Case type
- Rimmed
- Max pressure
- 40,000 psi
- Eff. range
- 200 yd
- Max range
- 400 yd
- Recoil
- 8–12 ft·lb
- Subsonic
- Capable
Ballistics
- Parent case
- —
Representative trajectory — modeled from a single velocity input (no published BC for this cartridge yet).
Performance
Buy links open .303 Savage ammunition at Rivertown Munitions.
Dimensionscase measurements · scale drawing · size vs familiar rounds
Case dimensions — the scale drawing at the top of the page is built from these.
CIP TDCC · approximate| Measure | mm | in | ✓ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bullet ⌀ | 7.90 | 0.311 | ~ |
| Neck ⌀ | 8.44 | 0.332 | ✓ |
| Shoulder ⌀ | 10.50 | 0.413 | ✓ |
| Shoulder angle | 16° | — | ✓ |
| Base ⌀ | 11.23 | 0.442 | ✓ |
| Rim ⌀ | 12.83 | 0.505 | ✓ |
| Belt ⌀ | n/a | ||
| Rim thickness | 1.60 | 0.063 | ✓ |
| Neck length | 13.64 | 0.537 | ≈ |
| Case length | 51.18 | 2.015 | ✓ |
| Overall length | 64.01 | 2.520 | ✓ |
Size vs familiar rounds
Drawn at true 1:1 — every case is accurate relative to the others. Absolute size depends on your screen's pixel density, so measuring one against a real ruler may be off. .303 Savage is highlighted below.
Factory loads
In production — 5 active loads across 5 brands. Top 15 shown · see all 19 →.
| Brand | Load | Grain | Bullet | FPS | ft·lb | BC |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hornady | InterLock | 190 | SP | 2,175 | 1,995 | — |
| Remington | Core-Lokt | 190 | SP | 2,175 | 1,995 | — |
| Federal | Power-Shok | 190 | SP | 2,175 | 1,995 | — |
| Sellier & Bellot | Sport | 190 | FMJ | 2,175 | 1,995 | — |
| PPU | Range | 190 | FMJ | 2,175 | 1,995 | — |
| Wolf | SP | 190 | Soft Point | 1,940 | 1,588 | — |
| Graf | Standard | 190 | Soft Point | 1,940 | 1,588 | — |
| Norma | Classic | 190 | Soft Point | 1,940 | 1,588 | — |
| Sellier & Bellot | SP | 190 | Soft Point | 1,940 | 1,588 | — |
| PPU | SP | 190 | Soft Point | 1,940 | 1,588 | — |
| Kynoch | Soft Nose | 190 | Soft Nose | 1,940 | 1,588 | — |
| Savage Arms | SP Factory Load | 190 | SP | 1,890 | 1,507 | — |
| Winchester | Super-X SP | 190 | SP | 1,890 | 1,507 | — |
| Western Cartridge Co. | Super-X SP | 190 | SP | 1,890 | 1,507 | — |
| Remington | SP | 190 | SP | 1,890 | 1,507 | — |
Velocities are manufacturer-stated (test-barrel). Discontinued loads dimmed.
Suitable powders
2 reloading powders listed for .303 Savage, fastest to slowest. Cross-reference in the finder →
Reloading costestimate cost per round vs factory
Estimate your cost per round and how it compares to factory. Inputs are yours — nothing is stored.
Cost estimate only — not load data. Charge weight is your input; follow published manuals for safe charges.
Firearms chambered in .303 Savage
5 models in the database chamber .303 Savage. Browse all →
Connected reference
History
Developed in 1894 for the Savage Model 1895, which became the Model 99. The .303 Savage was a competent deer cartridge but was eventually overshadowed by .30-30 Winchester and .300 Savage in the Savage 99 lineup. Factory ammunition was discontinued mid-20th century. The Savage 99 rifles chambered for it are collectors items.
FAQs
- What twist rate does .303 Savage use?
- .303 Savage typically uses a 1:12 twist rate.
- What bullet diameter is .303 Savage?
- .303 Savage uses a 0.311″ (7.9 mm) diameter bullet.
- Is .303 Savage still in production?
- .303 Savage is discontinued; typical availability is collector.
- What is .303 Savage used for?
- .303 Savage is primarily used for hunting.
- What are the best powders for .303 Savage?
- Reloading powders commonly listed for .303 Savage include Leverevolution, IMR 3031.
Sources & provenance
- StandardSAAMI — ANSI/SAAMI Z299 — Cartridge & Chamber Drawingsarchived
- StandardC.I.P. — C.I.P. TDCC — Tables of Dimensions of Cartridges and Chambers
Data & sources. Specs compiled from the Lindcott Armory reference; availability counted from 5 live factory loads; the trajectory is modeled (point-mass), not measured. See methodology. Spotted an error? Report it →