handloads for .300 Savage

[jmm03]

Hello all, figured I would try and stir up some action here as it doesn't seem to draw many views. Anyway, I have an 81 that I have some old factory ammo and some new unfired cases. I added a Marbles rear peep and a Lyman 17A front sight because my older eyes just are not helping get good groups. I would like some info on what has worked for anyone as to handloads. I have several manuals for reference and would check any suggestions, but some of the data available is a bit sparse for powders like Accurate 4064, 4895, and H4831SC. I load for 03 Springfields and M1's so I have a fair range of appropriate projectiles like 150, 168, 175, HPBT Sierras. I am not a hunter, these would be for recreational target shooting at 100 to 300 yard ranges. Any info would be appreciated. Thanks, Jim

[Hibby83]

Good morning Jim.

I can't comment on powder choice from what you listed. In my 300 SAV. I have used BLC-2 and standard 150 grain InterLock. The reloading books should help guide you to what works.

For bullets- I would suggest only using the 150's, I have no idea the length of the other weights you have listed. With 150's you won't have to worry about feeding/pressure issues of seating a bullet at an odd place on the bearing surface to get appropriate o.a.l

[DocSavage]

I see why you might load heavy-for-caliber bullets if you’re reaching out to 300 yards, but I share Hibby83’s concerns with longer bullets. I have a similar concern because I’m fixin’ to work up a load with 150 Gr Copper bullets. I have no recipes to share because I’m still working through the case of Superformance that I bought years ago to feed my Savage 99 and Super Sporter. I’ve accumulated a coffee can of brass, but I still have a few virgin boxes. I did an interweb search and found this article interesting:

https://www.shootingtimes.com/editorial ... vage/99555

[Phyrbird]

Check online for an article on Leverevolution powder. I like the 300 S data, it gets very close to 308 performance with lower Psi. Especially in a 22" barrel.

[Rifleman]

Hello Jim, Was going to respond earlier but my reload info that I keep track of my handloads was MIA. I also reload for a stable of 30/06 M1 Garands, Milsurp 03 Springfield's, and various other calibers and longrifles (handguns included). I have two 81's in 300 Savage along with a Savage 99R in 300 Savage. Love the caliber. Like you I only target shoot them as in my state of Iowa for deer they are not legal, at least way up in the North Iowa.

I shoot mainly in the 50-100 yard range with them, but once in a while 125-150 yard range if feelin the urge to do so. All of my reloading has been done with 150 grain SP bullets using either the RN or FP forms. The majority have been Speers with some Hornady's also. Some time ago I bought 500 150 grain SPRN's from Midway that they listed as 2nd's, believe the are Speers, but they shot just as well as the boxed Speers, coold see no defects on bullets. I have them casted and lubed and plan on trying out some Lee mold casted and gas checked lead 30 caliber bullets in both 150 and 160 grain versions. Shoot alot of cast/GS bullets in my Milsurp Springfield's, Mauser K98k's, British Enfield's, and Russian Mosin's with success and enjoyment.

Brass used is mostly Hornady and Winchester with some Federal and a few Remington tossed in. All bought new (back when they were around $25 a bag), have never had a problem with cracked necks or any signs of any other case problems. I have tried resizing used .308 Winchester brass, works OK but a pain having to trim excessive neck length. Guess if I was in great need of 300 Savage brass and unable to find .308 resizing would be an alternative, but FWIW brass trimming is the one step of reloading I dread. Since new 300 Savage brass isn't always found/available or cheap, ifin I wanted to do some shooting where finding all of the spent brass wasn't a real need, I'd do so with resized .308 brass. Not as much as a loss, I hate to lose brass.

Powder wise, I've had the best luck/accuracy with Hodgeon Varget and IMR 3031. I have used Winchester 748 some along with H/IMR 4895 and IMR 4064. These are all powders I've had success with all of my Milslurp bolt actions and M1 Garands. As far as the 300 Savage in both my 81's and Savage lever 99R, both Varget and 3031 have had the most use. Both very accurate, work the Rem 81 action as needed, and don't show signs of case problems. How all of my handloads would perform on deer size animals, well have never shot one with, but all of the loads I've used have been taken from recognized reload books/publications or from reliable internet sources such as this forum and a few others (reliable reloaders).

Powder charges for the Varget are mostly in the 36/38 grain range, 3031 in the 34/35 grain range, 748 in the 38/40 grain range. My H/IMR 4895 grain loadings are mostly in the mid 35 grains, plus-minus a bit. IMR 4064's are within the same mid 35+- a little. Looking at my records though most of my loadings have been with Varget and 3031, both great and versatile rifle powders. Looking forward to loading up the Lee cast bullets. Hope this is informative for ya.

Edit-Probably try using Acc 5744 powder with the cast bullets as have had excellent results with it loading up cast bullets in Milsurp rifles. Known as a great cast bullet rifle powder, have to try it and see how it works in semiauto Rem 81 for not only accuracy but working the action. All of my 300 Savage loadings have been used in iron sighted rifles only.

[MinnesotaDan]

I have settled on Vihtavouri N140 with 150 grain round noses, and 180 gr cast bullets over 3031. Good, predictable results with no cycling issues.

[jmm03]

Hello all, thank you for all the replies and info. Haven't had a chance to get up to the club range and spend some time sighting in, but am looking forward to seeing what the old girl can do from 100 to 300 yards, (if my older eyeballs will cooperate using iron sights that is...) Using up the old factory ammo that I got with the rifle, a mixed bag of 150's and 180's, mainly to get the cases for reloading. Jim