| The 1890's was an exciting period for rifle | | | | something right. The 303 Savage is a great deer and |
| development as smokeless powder was being | | | | black bear round for hunting in the woods. It has |
| perfected and it was being taken advantage by the | | | | been used for several generations as a moderate |
| civilian market. The very first few years since being | | | | range hunting rifle. |
| introduced in 1886 by France, the military was the | | | | The round resembles the 30-30 but is shorter and a |
| primary benefactor of the new propellant. It | | | | bit larger in diameter. In power it is a virtual twin to |
| produced higher velocities which enabled the users to | | | | the more successful Winchester offering though it |
| make smaller rounds with more range. That would | | | | was popular for awhile. It was produced from 1895 |
| enable a soldier to carry more ammo. As a note the | | | | through the start of WWII. After the war ended |
| 303 Savage is frequently confused with the larger | | | | Savage no longer chambered rifles for it and no |
| 303 British. I have seen it on several occasions. While | | | | other maker ever made a rifle in the 303 chambering. |
| the Savage round will fit the larger 303 British gun it | | | | Another cartridge that suffered the same fate was |
| isn't a good idea to shoot it that way. | | | | the 30 Remington, another good hunting round, but |
| One of the earlier rounds was the 303 Savage which | | | | that's another story. |
| was considered for the military but not adopted by | | | | The model 99 is still available in many calibers, some |
| them as they chose the 30-40 Krag. Anyway the | | | | quite modern, and if you look around a bit the 303 |
| Savage Arms Company saw that Winchester was | | | | can still be found. If you have one then you will either |
| making and selling 30-30 rifles like hotcakes. They | | | | have to hand-load your ammo or have someone do |
| knew a good thing when they saw it so they came | | | | it as factory ammo is no longer made. Occasionally |
| out with the model 99 lever action rifles and one of | | | | you might find a factory box of ammo but don't |
| the more popular chamberings was the 303. The | | | | count on it. The major problem with ammo is the |
| model 99 rifle is a very well made and strong rifle | | | | cases. Norma sometimes has them but most of the |
| that was somewhat ahead of it's time. It has some | | | | time they have to be formed from another cases. |
| advantages over the model 94 Winchester including | | | | The only two that make sense is the 30-40 Krag or |
| the ability to use spitzer bullets. Competition, then, as | | | | the 303 British. Once cases are obtained then ammo |
| now was stiff among the various gun makers and | | | | can be made without a problem. You can use 30-30 |
| the Savage offering was definitely as good as | | | | bullets and loading data with good results. If you |
| anything out there. There have been several million | | | | want to hunt with this relic it is good for deer hunting |
| 99's made, in many calibers, so they must have done | | | | at moderate ranges. |