Retro classic build

[dillwt]

Nice, love the old savages,

Here is my retro build. 1966 7mm freshly bedded and almost ready for the tung oil.8634

[charlie b]

The 300 H&H is one of those that was always near the top of my lists as well. While a nice pre-war mauser action would have been perfect (and very expensive) the Savage will do it justice.

Congrats on the work as well. Was yours a 10 or 12 twist. If you are lucky it's a 12 and you can push cast bullets a bit faster.

Good luck with it.

[Hdskip]

That's a nice looking build, and left handed to boot.

[Hdskip]

Here is an update on the 300 H&H project. With the exception of final finish on the stock everything is finished. Initial testing with cast loads did not make me want to continue. I started working with jacketed bullets . Initial testing started with 150 gr. Sierras. Decent groups were attained around 1.125" I did some trigger adjusting then tried some 168 gr Nosler BTHP match bullets to test for accuracy. The Nosler manual listed H4350 as most accurate powder with those . I started with 66.5 grs. of that. The initial group of 5 shots was around 5/8". So I can assume it has some accuracy potential. I will now be moving to closest hunting bullet I have on hand to try a similar load. I have 165 Sierras and 165 Speers in my inventory so will try those first. That is about as up to date that I can relate now. Hopefully more good news to follow soon. Hunting season is getting close.

[DocCoffeeKevin]

Time for some Pictures of Gary's Project. He can explain them
https://i.postimg.cc/xqDhydvP/Resized-IMG-20221007-091812.jpg (https://postimg.cc/bSgmqpFG)

https://i.postimg.cc/RFYjhdqy/Resized-IMG-20221007-091920.jpg (https://postimg.cc/G8kMSkFx)

https://i.postimg.cc/0jJhwSwQ/Resized-IMG-20221007-091817.jpg (https://postimg.cc/y3sfqkn4)

https://i.postimg.cc/R0gr54mM/Resized-IMG-20221006-151642.jpg (https://postimg.cc/Ty5Nn8hS)

[Hdskip]

Time for an update on the 300 H&H project. Hunting season came and went and I didn't use this. I have done further testing with cast bullets and am getting satisfying results. the rifle is much moire fun to shoot with cast loads. I'm using 159 gr. cast bullets with gas checks and conventional lube. These bullets came from Mount Baldy Bullets in Keystone SD. powder charge is 18.5 gr of Unique per the Lyman cast manual. primers are Federal large rifle. 3 shots over the chronograph were 1900 FPS , 1866, and 1905. group results for first group was 3" with 3 shots in the center measuring 1.375. The use of a 6 power scope and my aged-ed eyesight didn't help. Since I will be using this for Virginia whitetail cast will be more than suitable for any shots I'm likely to get from the stand I hunt.
With cold weather here , the rifle is apart for final stock finish. Since this rifle is basically an African themed deal I will be installing a barrel band front sling mount. Some exotic African leather has been promised by a good friend and a properly made sling will be added at a later date.
This has been a fun project and some what challenging from a parts standpoint. with the reduced cast loads it is a fun gun to shoot . the stock design reduces some of the felt recoil with full house jacketed loads also. Stock finish will take several weeks to a month. Meanwhile I have started 2 other builds which are progressing but do not include Savage actions this time.

[prdatr]

Time for an update on the 300 H&H project. Hunting season came and went and I didn't use this. I have done further testing with cast bullets and am getting satisfying results. the rifle is much moire fun to shoot with cast loads. I'm using 159 gr. cast bullets with gas checks and conventional lube. These bullets came from Mount Baldy Bullets in Keystone SD. powder charge is 18.5 gr of Unique per the Lyman cast manual. primers are Federal large rifle. 3 shots over the chronograph were 1900 FPS , 1866, and 1905. group results for first group was 3" with 3 shots in the center measuring 1.375. The use of a 6 power scope and my aged-ed eyesight didn't help. Since I will be using this for Virginia whitetail cast will be more than suitable for any shots I'm likely to get from the stand I hunt.
With cold weather here , the rifle is apart for final stock finish. Since this rifle is basically an African themed deal I will be installing a barrel band front sling mount. Some exotic African leather has been promised by a good friend and a properly made sling will be added at a later date.
This has been a fun project and some what challenging from a parts standpoint. with the reduced cast loads it is a fun gun to shoot . the stock design reduces some of the felt recoil with full house jacketed loads also. Stock finish will take several weeks to a month. Meanwhile I have started 2 other builds which are progressing but do not include Savage actions this time.

If this is to be African Themed you owe it to yourself to take a look stockwork and slings by Cindy Adendorff.

https://www.facebook.com/GunstockArtist.CA/

[Hdskip]

The work she does is truly artistic.

[Dave Hoback]

159gr lead cast bullets @ just 2000fps? Am I missing something here? What are these for? That’s actually very close to 300AAC ballistics. Pretty anemic. Is this just a plinking round? Last update you were talking about 165gr Nosler, Sierra & Speer loads using 65gr of H4350 to start. (I’ve been following your thread the whole time.) I’m used to seeing 300H&H being 180-185gr pills & 2900-3000fps. Doesn’t even sound like a small Whitetail(like Coues) load to me. I’m not down with people using 300AAC either, just for measure.

I don’t get it. But I’m looking forward to seeing your completed project none the less.

[Hdskip]

Dave this project is a test bed like most of the projects I do. I have tested jacketed bullets in this rifle and it shows good hunting accuracy with those. I did not test heavier bullets as I have no need to use those. Here in my mountains a large deer will be under 200 lbs. They really don't take much killing provided shots are placed correctly. I'm pretty new at using cast bullets in rifles so this was an experiment. I looked at the Sierra loading manual and the lower to middle range of a 30/30 with 150 gr. jacketed bullets are in the 1900-2100fps range. That's pretty close to what I'm getting with this cast load. So it hardly is a "plinking" load as you put it. On the plus side of that I can load these pretty cheaply and can stand to shoot it quite a bit more given the condition of my 74 year old shoulder.
I worked for 45 years in machining making all manner of things for other people. When I retired I had set up my machine shop to spend whatever time I had left making things that pleased me. Fort he last 5 years I've been enjoying that.And I hope to be able to do it for a few more years. One of the wonderful things about this country is we have the freedom to do that. I'm sorry that you don't "get" my intentions in this project. I don't mean to be a putz but just wanted to give an explanation.
I realize the full potential of the rifle isn't being realized but it sure has been fun playing with it. I will never take it to Africa or Canada or Alaska to test it's full potential. Maybe someone else will get that privilege down the road some. I hope that happens.
Meanwhile I'll continue with the stock finish and I'll post pictures when it is finished. This is a good forum and I enjoy it. I am sending a check for membership today.

[Dave Hoback]

Dave this project is a test bed like most of the projects I do. I have tested jacketed bullets in this rifle and it shows good hunting accuracy with those. I did not test heavier bullets as I have no need to use those. Here in my mountains a large deer will be under 200 lbs. They really don't take much killing provided shots are placed correctly. I'm pretty new at using cast bullets in rifles so this was an experiment. I looked at the Sierra loading manual and the lower to middle range of a 30/30 with 150 gr. jacketed bullets are in the 1900-2100fps range. That's pretty close to what I'm getting with this cast load. So it hardly is a "plinking" load as you put it. On the plus side of that I can load these pretty cheaply and can stand to shoot it quite a bit more given the condition of my 74 year old shoulder.
I worked for 45 years in machining making all manner of things for other people. When I retired I had set up my machine shop to spend whatever time I had left making things that pleased me. Fort he last 5 years I've been enjoying that.And I hope to be able to do it for a few more years. One of the wonderful things about this country is we have the freedom to do that. I'm sorry that you don't "get" my intentions in this project. I don't mean to be a putz but just wanted to give an explanation.
I realize the full potential of the rifle isn't being realized but it sure has been fun playing with it. I will never take it to Africa or Canada or Alaska to test it's full potential. Maybe someone else will get that privilege down the road some. I hope that happens.
Meanwhile I'll continue with the stock finish and I'll post pictures when it is finished. This is a good forum and I enjoy it. I am sending a check for membership today.


I wasn’t calling it a “plinking” load in that context. I asked if it was for plinking… Plinking round, as in the Act of. No need to be sorry to me.. I was simply confused from your last check in with ammunition type. Then this complete change. But I get it now. I understand, and don’t get me wrong… l don’t doubt it’s lethality not one bit. Shoot, a 22lr even, will kill about any animal, given enough time. In regards to 30-30.. yes, it’s close, in a few of the older 30-30 loads. Although, there is also more modern 30-30 loads, like the Hornady which is a 160gr @ 2400fps.. annnd, Not so close! Certainly what I’d look to if I was using 30-30. Never did though. I was always 30-06 during my short. hunting life. However, I have noticed in more recent years anyway, more & more hunters going to lighter & lighter loads as they are able, for their comfort. I get it. Not my thing, but I get it. But I left hunting behind when I left Arizona in 2008. Although the hunting here in Pennsyltucky is phenomenal! With giant corn-fed Eastern whitetail up to & even over 400lbs! Or take your 6 doe tags to fill the freezer with the better tasting venison. Unfortunately, just not able to do it anymore with being disabled. Sure I could sit in a blind, maybe 12yds away from a feeder and shoot fish in a barrel. But that weren’t never my idea of huntin’, so it’s just another of the things I had to say good by to. Is what it is.


When are the pics coming?

[charlie b]

I'd assume this isn't your first cast bullet setup. :)

Welcome to the club anyway :) It is fun.

In case you haven't seen these loads

http://www.gmdr.com/lever/lowveldata.htm

I use the .30-30 data in my .308 and it comes close to actual. My favorite light load is Blue Dot, ~8gn. My accuracy loads use 3031 and 4166 at around 2000fps. I can shoot out to 500yd with the 210gn bullet I use.

What twist is your barrel? If 1:12 or slower you could get some significant velocities if you were so inclined.

[Hdskip]

I'm adding a couple images of the trigger guard element of this rifle.
913291339134
This trigger guard is from an SKB side by side shotgun that was in the parts bin. The base was milled from 6061 T-6 aluminum and inletted into the stock. It will be anodized black in next batch. I'll post more pictures as the project progresses.

[Hdskip]

Charlie , I have not checked the twist yet but the barrel started life as a 30/06 savage barrel. It is likely a 1:10 I would think. When you speak of significant velocities what would be expected?

[PhilC]

Very nice work, I like it and your choice of cartridge.

[Hdskip]

Thank you for kind words. I sure enjoy doing these projects

[charlie b]

.308 cast bullets with a 1:10 twist barrel will start to lose accuracy due to too high a spin rate somewhere between 2000 and 2400fps. If it is a 1:12 twist you could go up to 2400-2800fps.

I've tested mine with the 210gn bullet quite a bit. The best accuracy is just under 2000fps but sometimes I can go a bit higher. I use a lot of 4166/4064 in mine.

For low vel stuff I use 160-180gn bullets at just under 1200fps. Blue Dot has worked for me but many others are ok as well. Depending on bullet you could stay under supersonic.

[Hdskip]

I'll give an update on the retro build. Ive done testing with Jacketed bullets in the 150 weight and cast load testing with 150s, 160s and 170s. Accuracy results for decent hunting accuracy has been achieved with the 150 jacketed and 150 gr cast with gas checks. My hunting plans for this project will be Virginia mountain whitetail deer in an area limited to 140 yd. shots. Due to recoil considerations I will use the cast bullet loads the most. Expectations for this project from an accuracy and function stand point have been met. The gun is now apart and stock finish is under way. I have decided to use an Ebony fore end tip and pistol grip cap. At this time I 'll forego pictures and will show progressive pictures up to finish a little later. This project has been interesting and fun and I challenged myself to keep it low budget. So far it is still under $600 including price of the 300 H&H reamer. So far, so good. I will return a little later with final results before long. Thanks for looking .

[Dave Hoback]

Good news brother. Glad you’re enjoying it.

I have to say, I still can’t quite understand using this:
https://i.ibb.co/BrnFCzq/E06894-A6-EABB-4381-B2-B1-F23-F23-C67-E51.jpg (https://imgbb.com/)

With basically the power of this:
https://i.ibb.co/WzMCwC8/E1-C33-FE1-D574-4995-B26-D-A5-C670885-B41.jpg (https://imgbb.com/)

But I don’t have to get it. Long as it’s serving your purpose, that’s all that matters. Now, when you get the stock all refinished, & Rig back together, make sure to posts some pics. I certainly DO get that!;)

[PhilC]

I'll give an update on the retro build. Ive done testing with Jacketed bullets in the 150 weight and cast load testing with 150s, 160s and 170s. Accuracy results for decent hunting accuracy has been achieved with the 150 jacketed and 150 gr cast with gas checks. My hunting plans for this project will be Virginia mountain whitetail deer in an area limited to 140 yd. shots. Due to recoil considerations I will use the cast bullet loads the most. Expectations for this project from an accuracy and function stand point have been met. The gun is now apart and stock finish is under way. I have decided to use an Ebony fore end tip and pistol grip cap. At this time I 'll forego pictures and will show progressive pictures up to finish a little later. This project has been interesting and fun and I challenged myself to keep it low budget. So far it is still under $600 including price of the 300 H&H reamer. So far, so good. I will return a little later with final results before long. Thanks for looking .
Excellent, looking forward to future updates! Making and shooting cast accrately is very rewarding, especially when you can shoot something like your H&H at modest recoil levels for pennies vs full power loads unnecessary for your intended use. :thumb: