I was able to pick up a decent REM-UMC .303 Savage box with a few cartridges. I decided to dissect one and see what we had to talk about.









K10O ??, K=1919, 10=day, O=July




194.2gr (195gr) JSP bullet. Handloading manuals call for a 190gr and a 196gr



THE POWDER
Found inside was 25.3gr of "Lightning" smokeless powder. Powder grains measure .0725" dia. and .0255" thick. Sharpshooter is basically the same measurements but calls for a much different charge because it is a faster burning powder. (Sharpshooter is a faster burning powder than Lightning). Do not confuse the same charge for the 44-40 as being the same as the Lightning charge for the .303 Savage.

  • 1926 - 12.5gr of Sharpshooter only used for 150gr bullet.
  • 1937 - 13gr to 17.6gr of Sharpshooter used with the 190gr JSP between 1,335fps to 1,695fps @ between 17,600lbs and 33,000lbs respectfully. Right there is the difference between the need for normal barrels and the need for special barrels as far as velocity and pressures are concerned.

1937 Sharpe's data - 25.8gr of Lightning with a 190gr JSP 1,990fps @ 41,000lbs.

Thus this REM-UMC is a full bore load for the .303 Savage chambered rifles of which needed special everything!!!






The primers are well past the patent war dates, but appears to be of the 1882 Hobbs patent.




I figured any inaccuracies would be quickly corrected in a reply!

THANKS!!