Author Topic: 300 Savage to 308 Winchester? (Read 1274 times)

BattleRifleG3 · « **on:** December 15, 2005, 07:01:32 PM »

Seeing a number of rifles chambered in 300 Savage at a low price, and being somewhat familiar with the round's comparison to 308 Winchester, I was wondering if, within the limitations of a rifle's action size and strength, a rifle in 300 Savage could be simply rechambered to 308 Winchester? Thinking particularly of the Savage 99. I realize of course that the 308 Winchester requires a stronger and slightly larger action, so it couldn't be just any rifle.

Mikey · « **Reply #1 on:** December 16, 2005, 02:38:00 AM »

I understand that the magazines and loading mechanisms of the Savage 99 were specific to the caliber, although I'm not sure. However, given the favorable comparison of the 300 Savage to the 308 I would ask - why bother?? Mikey.

Lone Star · « **Reply #2 on:** December 16, 2005, 03:01:53 AM »

I would second that, why butcher a prefectly good .300 Savage? The practical differences between the two cartridges are really minor, you won't be shooting at 600 yards with the M99 so an extra few fps won't matter. I've killed dozens of deer with the .300 in a handgun and it's performance has been stellar (with 150-grain BTips). The only reason I can see to do the conversion would be if you did not handload and wanted bullets heavier or lighter than the 150/180 offerings from Remington/Winchester/Federal. In that case I'd search for a .308-chambered M99 and not worry about action strength. Early M99s were not as strong as later actions.

BattleRifleG3 · « **Reply #3 on:** December 16, 2005, 07:24:16 AM »

That's good info on action strength, thanks. Main reason to switch would be ammo standardization with other rifles and more affordable ammo choices.

Siskiyou · « **Reply #4 on:** December 16, 2005, 07:40:35 AM »

When we were kids my brothers used a M99 in .300 Savage for deer hunting. It started out in the hands of brother #2 and he took a number of bucks with it. In fact two in his first season. It was then passed to brother #3 who continued the tradition. This was all done with factory ammuntion.

The truth be know the M760 Remington .270's carried later by brother #2 and myself were no more productive then the M99 in .300 Savage. I recall a large buck taken with the rifle. I heard a burst of gun fire in the canyon below me. I thought it was some other hunter with an autoloader. But when I got there was my 12-year old brother with a nice trophy. :eek:

I think the .300 Savage is a fine round in the M99, M760, and the M722. I have one in the M722 and have never considered rechambering it .308. It is easy to reload for and there is a lot of loading data for it.

When I run across a 760 Remington in .300 Savage at a gun show I have a hard time controlling my urge to buy.

Savage .250 · « **Reply #5 on:** December 16, 2005, 08:39:46 AM »

Why not buy a Sav 99 in .308...............if you can find one?
They are long out of production but still show up at gun shows, all be it
not very often.

" The best part of the hunt is not the harvest but in the experience."

Siskiyou · « **Reply #6 on:** December 16, 2005, 07:33:00 PM »

"When the .308 Winchester appeared in 1955, the Savage 99 action was lengthened slightly(bottom) to accommondate the longer cartridge. Orginal .300 Savage 99s (top) are slightly too short for rechambering to the newer catridge."

Hunting Handloads, John Barsness, Handloader magazine February 2005, No. 233.

The terms top and bottom refer to photo's of M99s.

A good article on the .300 Savage round. :agree:

BattleRifleG3 · « **Reply #7 on:** December 17, 2005, 07:56:38 AM »

Great info, now I know!
And knowing is half the battle.
GI Joe!