.308 brass to .300 Savage

[Dino82520]

I doubt that anyone here has tried it but with the shortage of brass in older calibers I was wondering if .308 Win could be run through a .300 Savage die and result in workable .300 Savage brass. I know that it would have to be trimmed to length and possible have the neck reamed. I'm also assuming that the interior capacity would be less than .300 Savage brass due to the heavier construction of the .308 Win brass. Any comments or or suggestions would be appreciated.

[.257]

Haven’t heard of anyone doing it. But l don’t know why it would work. The neck should both be 30 caliber, may not need reamed. Not sure about the capacity amount, l didn’t know 308 brass was thicker than 300 savage if using the same brand. But easy enough to check if you have an old 300 case.
Try it, sounds like an interesting test. Sorry l couldn’t be of any real help

[.257]

I would add, l won’t try it all in one stoke to start with. So it doesn’t get stuck in your die

[Dino82520]

I would add, l won’t try it all in one stoke to start with. So it doesn’t get stuck in your die

In these situations what I do is remove the expander ball and stem. If a case does get stuck it is then an easy operation to use a 1/4 in dia steel rod or even a Philips screwdriver with the tip ground flat to tap the case out with a hammer. Seldom is a case ruined but still better than losing a much more expensive die.

[Dino82520]

Well, I did it. It was a bit of work but it will keep that old '99 shooting. I'll try to post some pictures if the the attachment gods are smiling. Well, I tried, I cropped the photo way down and still wouldn't accept. Guess they still have a way to go to rebuild the site.

Anyway, I started with a once fired .300 Savage and a once fired .308 Win. Starting measurements.

                 .300 Savage                .308 Win
                Case length                 Case length
                  1.861                          2.015
                 Weight                        Weight
                 156.1 Gr                      185.7 GR
The much higher weight of the .308 case is due to the .308 being loaded to a max of 65,000 lbs per sq in while the .300 Savage is loaded to a much lower 47,000 lbs per sq in.

After trimming the .308 case to 1.861 in it weighed  1.760 Gr. After some serious lubing of the case I resized it in the .300 Savage die pushing the shoulder back. I ran it into the die 3 or 4 times. I then put the expander ball and stem assy. back into the die and sized the neck. The case grew to 1.863 in. Max case length is listed as 1.871 in so it isn't a problem I then loaded it as a dummy round with no powder or primer and seated a Hornady #3045, a 165 gr SPBT, my favorite for elk. I loaded it into the magazine of my old '99 and it chambered and ejected like it was made for it.

My favorite powder charge for that bullet is 41.0 gr of IMR 4064. The latest Hornady manuals do not list IMR 4064 for that bullet. It is listed for the 150 and 170 but not the 165 so I went back to the Hornady seventh edition here it is listed at 41.4 at 2600 fps as a max load. Starting load is listed at 33.9. I think I'll further reduce that to about 33.0 for starting loads due to the reduced volume of the case.

If anyone is interested I'll keep you posted when the weather breaks and I can drag the old chrony out and see how it shoots.

[.257]

Very interesting, glad it worked out for you. My load in my Dads 300 is , 40.0 grains IMR, 165 grain Sierra boat tail. 2500 fps

Yes keep us posted on the load development

[Grouchy]

There was a video about 308 to 300 Savage on youtube. I got 100 once fired 300 Savage Brass that is in great shape. Midway has loaded 300 Savage ammo in stock .

[Dino82520]

Good find on the brass.

[Dino82520]

Very interesting, glad it worked out for you. My load in my Dads 300 is , 40.0 grains IMR, 165 grain Sierra boat tail. 2500 fps

Yes keep us posted on the load development

40.0 gr of IMR ??

[.257]

Oops, IMR 4064, 40 grains.

[Dino82520]

IMR 4065 seems to be the go to powder for the ole .300 Savage. We get the photo posting back remind me to post some targets. That old lever action rifle with a two piece3 stock has out shot and embarrassed some bolt fans.

[Grouchy]

There are a few decent deals on once fired 300 Savage brass on gun broker right now.

[Dino82520]

Hers's some targets with my old (1948Mfg) 99. Last three was working up a load with 130 gr Barnes TTSX.

[.257]

Looks like they have uploading photos working!
Great groups from a lever gun!!