The .303 Savage and .303 British are two different cartridges used in firearms. Here are some of the key differences and comparisons between them:
- Origin and History:
The .303 Savage was introduced in 1894 by the Savage Arms Company, while the .303 British was developed in 1888 by the British military for use in their Lee-Metford and Lee-Enfield rifles.
- Cartridge Dimensions:
The .303 Savage has a bullet diameter of .308 inches, while the .303 British has a slightly larger bullet diameter of .311 inches. The .303 Savage has a shorter case length of 1.87 inches, compared to the .303 British which has a case length of 2.22 inches.
- Velocity and Energy:
The .303 British generally produces higher velocity and energy than the .303 Savage due to its larger case capacity. A typical .303 British round fires a 150 grain bullet at around 2,700 feet per second, while a typical .303 Savage round fires a 180 grain bullet at around 2,400 feet per second.
- Availability:
The .303 British is a much more widely used and available cartridge than the .303 Savage, due in large part to its military origins and widespread adoption by various countries.
- Recoil and Accuracy:
The .303 Savage has less recoil than the .303 British, making it more comfortable to shoot for some users. However, the .303 British is generally considered to be more accurate due to its higher velocity and better ballistic performance.
Which is Better?
The answer to which cartridge is better, the .303 Savage or .303 British, depends on the intended use and personal preference.
The .303 British has been in use for over a century and has a proven track record of being a reliable and effective cartridge. It also has wider availability of ammunition and rifles chambered for it.
However, the .303 Savage has less recoil, making it more comfortable to shoot for some users. It also has a heavier bullet, which may be preferred for certain types of game.
Ultimately, the choice between the two cartridges will depend on the intended use and individual preferences of the shooter.
FAQ’S
- When Did They Stop Making 303 Savage? The production of .303 Savage ammunition was discontinued in the 1930s due to the increasing popularity of other cartridges. However, it is still possible to find .303 Savage rifles and ammunition through antique dealers and online marketplaces.
- Which Is More Powerful 303 British Or 30-30? The .30-30 Winchester cartridge is generally considered to be more powerful than the .303 British cartridge. The .30-30 Winchester fires a 150 grain bullet at around 2,400 feet per second, while the .303 British fires a 150 grain bullet at around 2,700 feet per second.
- What Is 303 British Similar To? The .303 British cartridge is similar in design and performance to other cartridges developed during the same era, such as the 7.62x54R and 8×57 Mauser. It is also similar in size and performance to the .30-06 Springfield cartridge.
- Is 303 British Discontinued? The production of .303 British ammunition is still ongoing, although it is less common than it once was due to the military’s switch to different cartridges. It is still possible to find .303 British ammunition through most gun shops and online marketplaces.
- 303 Savage Ammo Hornady: Hornady does not currently manufacture .303 Savage ammunition. However, other companies such as Federal, Remington, and Winchester do produce .303 Savage ammunition.
- 303 Savage Ballistics: The typical .303 Savage round fires a 150-180 grain bullet at around 2,400 feet per second, with a muzzle energy of around 2,200 foot-pounds. The ballistics of the cartridge make it suitable for hunting medium-sized game at moderate distances.
Summary
n summary, the .303 Savage and .303 British are two different cartridges used in firearms. The .303 Savage was introduced in 1894 by the Savage Arms Company, while the .303 British was developed in 1888 by the British military for use in their Lee-Metford and Lee-Enfield rifles.
The .303 Savage has a shorter case length and a smaller bullet diameter than the .303 British, while the .303 British generally produces higher velocity and energy. The .303 British is more widely used and available, and is generally considered to be more accurate due to its higher velocity and better ballistic performance, while the .303 Savage has less recoil and may be more comfortable to shoot for some users. Ultimately, the choice between the two cartridges will depend on the intended use and personal preferences of the shooter.
References:
- “Cartridge Comparison Guide” by Brownells (https://www.brownells.com/userdocs/miscellaneous/cartridge-comparison-guide.pdf)
- “The .303 Savage” by Chuck Hawks (https://www.chuckhawks.com/303_savage.htm)
- “The .303 British Cartridge” by Chuck Hawks (https://www.chuckhawks.com/303_british.htm)