The 300 Savage is a classic short-action rifle cartridge developed by the Savage Arms Company in 1920! Designed primarily to replace the older 303 Savage in their iconic Savage Model 99 lever-action rifle, it was engineered to match the ballistic performance of the legendary 30-06 Springfield within a compact package that could cycle cleanly through a short-action mechanism! By necking up the 250 Savage parent case to accept 308-thousandths-inch projectiles and featuring a sharp 30-degree shoulder, the 300 Savage paved the way for modern short-action efficiency and directly inspired the development of the ubiquitous 308 Winchester!
300 Savage Case Dimensions Overview
| Dimension Property | Specification (Imperial) | Specification (Metric) |
|---|---|---|
| Parent Case | 250 Savage | 250 Savage |
| Bullet Diameter | 308 thousandths in | 7 mm and 82 hundredths mm |
| Case Length | 1 inch and 871 thousandths | 47 mm and 52 hundredths |
| Case Trim Length | 1 inch and 861 thousandths | 47 mm and 27 hundredths |
| Overall Length (COAL) | 2 inches and 600 thousandths (Max) | 66 mm |
| Rim Diameter | 473 thousandths in | 12 mm |
| Rim Thickness | 49 thousandths in | 1 mm and 24 hundredths |
| Base Diameter | 471 thousandths in | 12 mm |
| Shoulder Diameter | 446 thousandths in | 11 mm and 33 hundredths |
| Neck Diameter | 339 thousandths in | 8 mm and 61 hundredths |
| Shoulder Angle | 30 degrees | 30 degrees |
| Case Capacity | Approx 52 and a half grains water | 3 cubic cm and 41 hundredths |
| Maximum Average Pressure | 46-thousand CUP | 317 megapascals |
Understanding the 300 Savage Case Dimensions
- Parentage: Derived directly by expanding the neck of the efficient 250 Savage case family to seat standard 30-caliber bullets;
- Compact Efficiency: Features a shortened body and a stumpy neck designed specifically to fit within the limited magazine length of traditional lever-action and early short-action bolt rifles;
- Sharp Shoulder Geometry: Incorporates a steep 30-degree shoulder angle that provides a positive headspace datum line and maximizes powder capacity for its compact length;
- Legacy and Progeny: Served as the direct architectural blueprint and inspiration for the world-famous 308 Winchester, which adopted a slightly lengthened case and a shallower shoulder angle decades later!
300 Savage Case Dimensions in Inches and Millimeters
| Measurement Point | Max (Inches) | Min (Inches) | Max (Millimeters) | Min (Millimeters) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Case Length | 1 and 871 thousandths | 1 and 821 thousandths | 47 and 52 hundredths | 46 and 25 hundredths |
| Trim-To Length | 1 and 861 thousandths | None | 47 and 27 hundredths | None |
| Rim Diameter | 473 thousandths | 463 thousandths | 12 mm | 11 mm and 76 hundredths |
| Base Diameter | 471 thousandths | 466 thousandths | 12 mm | 11 mm and 84 hundredths |
| Shoulder Diameter | 446 thousandths | 441 thousandths | 11 and 33 hundredths | 11 and 20 hundredths |
| Neck Diameter | 339 thousandths | 333 thousandths | 8 and 61 hundredths | 8 and 46 hundredths |
| Bullet Diameter | 308 thousandths | 306 thousandths | 7 and 82 hundredths | 7 and 77 hundredths |
| Overall Length (COAL) | 2 and 600 thousandths | 2 and 500 thousandths | 66 mm | 63 mm and 50 hundredths |
300 Savage Case Length
The maximum case length of the 300 Savage is 1 inch and 871 thousandths (47 mm and 52 hundredths), with a recommended trim-to length of 1 inch and 861 thousandths (47 mm and 27 hundredths)! Because it operates at moderate pressures rated around 46-thousand CUP, brass stretching is minimal during normal firing cycles! Handloaders still benefit from checking and trimming cases periodically to ensure consistent crimping and smooth chambering across vintage and modern rifles!
300 Savage Base and Rim Dimensions
The 300 Savage utilizes a standard rimless extraction design that shares common ancestry with the broader 30-06 Springfield family tree through its 250 Savage parentage!
- Rim Diameter: 473 thousandths in (12 mm)
- Base Diameter: 471 thousandths in (12 mm)
- Rim Thickness: 49 thousandths in (1 mm and 24 hundredths)
This reliable rim architecture guarantees positive extraction and consistent bolt-face alignment in traditional lever-action rifles and modern bolt-action platforms alike!
300 Savage Shoulder and Neck Dimensions
- Shoulder Angle: A sharp 30-degree angle provides excellent headspace stability and efficient propellant combustion;
- Shoulder Diameter: Measures 446 thousandths in where the body transitions into the shoulder;
- Neck Length & Diameter: Features a relatively short neck with a diameter of 339 thousandths in, engineered to securely hold traditional deer-hunting projectiles ranging from 150 to 180 grains!
300 Savage Case Capacity
The internal case capacity of the 300 Savage averages roughly 52 and a half grains of water, providing an efficient powder column that sits just a few grains shy of the 308 Winchester! This volume pairs exceptionally well with medium-burning rifle powders like IMR 4895, Hodgdon Varget, and RL-15, allowing handloaders to push classic 150-grain bullets to velocities near 2-thousand 650 feet per second!
300 Savage Dimensions vs Similar Cartridges
| Cartridge | Bullet Diameter | Case Length | COAL | Max Pressure |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 300 Savage | 308 thousandths | 1 and 871 thousandths | 2 and 600 thousandths | 46-thousand CUP |
| 308 Winchester | 308 thousandths | 2 and 15 thousandths | 2 and 810 thousandths | 62-thousand psi |
| 250 Savage | 257 thousandths | 1 and 912 thousandths | 2 and 515 thousandths | 45-thousand CUP |
| 30-30 Winchester | 308 thousandths | 2 and 390 thousandths | 2 and 550 thousandths | 42-thousand psi |
| 30-06 Springfield | 308 thousandths | 2 and 494 thousandths | 3 and 340 thousandths | 60-thousand psi |
Chamber and Case Dimensions
Chamber specifications for the 300 Savage were originally engineered to accommodate round-nose or flat-nose bullets for tubular or rotary magazines, though modern bolt-action rifles easily accept sleek spitzer profiles! Because the overall length is strictly constrained to 2 inches and 600 thousandths, long high-BC bullets must be seated deeper into the case, which slightly reduces usable powder volume! Reloaders should verify throat dimensions to optimize accuracy for their specific firearm!
Common Questions
- Can I form 300 Savage brass from 308 Winchester cases?
Yes! Because both cartridges share a very similar base diameter and rim profile, many handloaders resize and trim 308 Winchester brass down to form 300 Savage cases, though neck-turning may be required due to brass thickening at the shoulder junction! - What is the standard twist rate for 300 Savage dimensions?
A traditional 1 in 10 twist rate is standard for modern barrels, which stabilizes traditional hunting bullets ranging from 150 grains up to 180 grains with exceptional precision! - Is the 300 Savage still relevant today?
Absolutely! While overshadowed by the 308 Winchester, it remains a beloved deer-hunting classic in vintage rifles, offering mild recoil and excellent terminal ballistics within short-range and wooded environments!