I have noticed that all my reloading books list this caliber, but they top off the loads at 44k cup or so. Knowing full well that the newer Savage 99's (chambered for 243 308 etc) and the current Rem 700's in 300 Savage can handle more than this pressure are there any loads out there that top off more than this? I am pretty sure the brass is as strong as the 308 win. Any advise?

I'll tell you what I did but there's no way I am recommending that anyone do the same: I used my chrony and my mike to feel my way up until I saw my velocity flattening out. Which it did, in my rifle, before I got any real pressure signs. ie, unduly flattened primers, ejector marks engraved in the case head, etc. I then backed off 5% and called that my max.
Remember kids, don't try this at home.

This months Handloader magazine has a pretty good article on the .300 Savage. Its not a .308 but its closer to that than it is a 30-30.

I use 48 grains of H414, Winchester brass, in a rifle I built on a Howa action and Douglas barrel. No pressure signs with my rifle and shoots very well using 150 Nosler balllistic tips.

Bob257

Hi POP.

Not that I'm recommending this to anyone else, mind you , but, with my Savage 110/300 Sav. with 22" barrel, I was able to get 2,750-2,800 FPS with 150 Speer FB, Mag-Tip and R-P Core-Lokts with Accurate's 4064 (its smaller grains fit better in the smallish case than IMR's) with no apparent problems. Some of the cases have been reloaded 5 times, and primer pockets are nice and tight. When operating in uncharted territory, short of a pressure testing setup, that is my guide to a safe load.

The Savage case is at least as strong as the 308's, so, I used the ratio of the 300's case capacity vs. the 308's as a guide; generally, and depending on case make, the 300 has about 6% less capacity, so MAX loads for the 300 usually work out to 2 - 2.5 grains less than the 308. Ballistic laws being what they are, the 300 can't equal the 308, but it can sure get close, at least with stubby 150's like those mentioned, which don't take up as much powder room as the B-Tips and such.

RL12 (good luck finding any) was a stellar performer, although pressures can jump pretty quickly. RL15 is another good one, but, with my lot, anyway, I ran out of capacity before I got the velocity numbers I wanted.

You know the drill, POP, use this info at your own risk, your mileage may vary, etc...

PM or e-mail me if you want my actual load data.

R-WEST

Thanx Fellas...

Just bought one!

The load program says 2800 fps. I have to chronograph it. Limited time.

Bob257

Thanx guys...I am thinking about one load for all (deer antelope) What do you think about a 150 or 165 Hornady Interbond for everything? Or do I do not need the Interbond? The 165 might do for elk in the woods too!

Just to correct a few R-WEST attempts to work from memory in my previous post, since I went home and actually checked my load notes:
1. The rifle is a 111 FNS, NOT a 110.
2. RL15 actually DID work just fine.

Man, those pills the Dr gave me were supposed to help my memory. If I could just remember WHICH Dr it was, I'd demand my money back.

R-WEST

Hey Pop!

42 grns of Rlr 15 and a 165 grn pill is producing 2600fs in mine. That IS the equivalent of early 30-06 figures, which is close enough to a 308 for me. I expect that any of the powders developed for the 308 should excell in the 300.

If your rifle is a model 99 then you should consider forming some 300 brass from some millsurp 308. Its very simple to do and the thick brass gives much better case life.

Thanx guys!

I tried some IMR 4064 as suggested by the Hornady manual. At 42 gr it gave me 2650 fps (with a 150 Hornady SP) and .85" at 100 yds. Not bad for a levergun with a 7lbs trigger pull.

I went up to 44 gr as suggested again by Hornady manual and got 2750- fps and groups were in the 1.5"+ range.

The weird thig is I tried XMR2015 (max 38.5gr) and i got 2520 fps....a full 230 fps under their manual! Yikes. They changed this powder not too long ago... No pressure signs at all! Any inputs?

Hi POP. My experience with XMR2015, as opposed to the older 2015BR is that it's an awful lot slower. Close to 2230-C, I'd guess.

In cartridges as disparate as the 223 Rem and 358 Win, I've found that I may need as much as 1.5 (223) to 2.5 (358) more grains to reach the same velocity the old BR stuff gave me.

R-WEST

Remember, Boys & Girls, what a front locking bolt gun and a springy, rear locking levergun can handle are two very different things. True, it will hold it for the first firing, but wait until you try to resize that case. Out of a 99, 150's at about 2500-2550fps will do fine. For that, you are looking at about 40gr of either 4895 or 4064. At these speeds, bonded bullets are an unnecessary expense. In '06, I load for bolts, single shots, autos and levers. To the reloader, for longevity of brass and the action, each type will dictate its own needs.