Author Topic: 300 Savage??? (Read 428 times)

Doc T · « **on:** November 23, 2004, 05:35:47 AM »

I just saw an SSK Contender barrel on EBAY in 300 Savage. Isn't this a little hot for a Contender? If you have to download it and can't shoot factory loads, what's the point? What do you guys think? A 300 Savage carbine would be just the ticket if it is safe with factory loads.

Graybeard · « **Reply #1 on:** November 23, 2004, 06:18:00 AM »

SSK will not chamber a round for the Contender that they are not certain is safe for use with factory ammo if available. In this case factory ammo is available and thus you may rest assured they feel it safe or they'd not chamber it.

I had them rechamber a 10" .32 Mag barrel to .300 Savage for me long ago. Worked fine but I've ever fired a TC barrel with more muzzle blast than that one. It is way too much for a barrel that short. If the barrel is a 14" one I'd say it will be fine but if much shorter I think you'll be unhappy with the blast. You feel it as well as hear it.

Doc T · « **Reply #2 on:** November 23, 2004, 06:32:04 AM »

That is reassuring. I am actually thinking of having a .30-30 carbine barrel rechambered. That would certainly out do the .30-30 and be right up there with the various 30 caliber wildcats. Plus I probably would not reload for this caliber so the factory ammo would be a bonus. I saw a few boxes of it in the 'Mart the other day.

ben g · « **Reply #3 on:** November 23, 2004, 07:49:48 AM »

I exchanged emails with JD Jones about this subject recently, dont like quoting someone and suggest you talk to him first yourself, he did say to paraphrase that the 300 savage would be mostly for handloaders and that the 30-40 Krag would be a better choice in a contender with factory ammmunition. Maybe he has changed his mind a little since he converted that one for Bill or he knew he would handload for it.

Doc T · « **Reply #4 on:** November 23, 2004, 08:44:28 AM »

Thanks. I planned on emailing SSK anyway. Either round would be signifcantly better than the .30-30 . I do reload but don't know how much I would reload for either of these in that I wouldn't be shooting it all that much. But then If I loaded a Hornady 130gr bullet it sure would be a flat shooter. Hmmm.....

Lone Star · « **Reply #5 on:** November 23, 2004, 11:54:07 AM »

A hunting buddy and I each have a .300 Savage barrel and used them to take dozens of Kodiak Island deer. The .300 is a great choice for the Contender - it is loaded to low pressures (46,000 cup is SAAMI max but factory loads are lower) by the factories so it is safe. We used 150-grain BTips at 2350-2400 fps and had outstanding performance. Accuracy is sterling and terminal performance is all anyone could ask for.

We never had an extraction problem with the rimless case, in fact I've never had one in any of the many rimless Contender barrels I own. I have to think that those who had problems must load too hot or had faulty extractors...