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Common uses: Hunting, Big Game
| Type | rifle (centerfire) |
| Typical load | 150gr Federal Power-Shok Jacketed Soft Point |
| Muzzle velocity | 2630 fps |
| Muzzle energy | 2304 ft-lb |
| Published G1 ballistic coefficient | 0.313 |
| Case length | 47.5 mm |
| Overall length | 63.5 mm |
| SAAMI max pressure | 47000 PSI |
| Common twist rate | 1:10" |
| Range (yd) | Velocity (fps) | Energy (ft-lb) | Drop (in) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | 2630 | 2303 | -1.5 |
| 100 | 2349 | 1837 | 0 |
| 200 | 2086 | 1449 | -4.8 |
| 300 | 1841 | 1129 | -17.7 |
| 400 | 1617 | 870 | -40.9 |
| 500 | 1417 | 669 | -77.5 |
At 1,000 yards, .300 Sav. (150gr at 2630 fps, 100 yd zero, standard conditions) has a modeled come-up of about 59.5 MOA / 17.3 MIL, retaining 912 fps (subsonic).
| Range (yd) | Velocity (fps) | State | Drop (in) | Elev (MOA) | Elev (MIL) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 300 | 1841 | Supersonic | -17.7 | 5.6 | 1.64 |
| 400 | 1617 | Supersonic | -40.9 | 9.8 | 2.84 |
| 500 | 1417 | Supersonic | -77.5 | 14.8 | 4.31 |
| 600 | 1249 | Transonic | -131.5 | 20.9 | 6.09 |
| 700 | 1120 | Transonic | -207.7 | 28.3 | 8.24 |
| 800 | 1030 | Subsonic | -311.7 | 37.2 | 10.82 |
| 900 | 964 | Subsonic | -448.5 | 47.6 | 13.84 |
| 1000 | 912 | Subsonic | -622.6 | 59.5 | 17.30 |
Extended predictions beyond 500 yards are modeled from the same G1 engine — useful for initial DOPE, but outside the 500-yard manufacturer-table validation audit. Confirm with observed DOPE, especially near transonic.
A retained-energy reference only — not a shoot/don't-shoot distance. Real effective range depends on your accuracy, shot placement, bullet construction, and conditions. The ~1,000 ft-lb (deer-sized) and ~1,500 ft-lb (elk-sized) figures are commonly cited rules of thumb, not standards.
Your barrel, ammunition lot, and conditions will differ — always verify against the manufacturer's data and your own rifle.
For decades the .300 Savage was one of America's most popular deer and black bear cartridges, prized for delivering big-game punch from the light, fast-handling Savage Model 99. It hits noticeably harder than the .30-30 while remaining a comfortable, moderate-recoil round, and it is a capable performer on deer-sized game inside about 250 to 300 yards. Its short, stubby neck and limited case capacity keep it from matching the reach or bullet-weight flexibility of the .308 Winchester that it inspired, so it is best regarded as a woods and mid-range hunting cartridge rather than a long-range one. Factory ammunition has grown scarce and comparatively expensive, but it retains a loyal following among Model 99 owners and handloaders who value its classic character and proven effectiveness on game.
Introduced by Savage Arms in 1920, the .300 Savage was created as a more powerful chambering for the Model 99 lever-action rifle, replacing the aging .303 Savage. Its designers packed near-.30-06 performance into a short, rimless, bottlenecked case that would feed through the Model 99's rotary magazine, launching a 150-grain bullet at roughly 2,600 fps. That efficient short-action design later served as the starting point for the U.S. military's T65 experimental cartridge program in the 1940s, which ultimately produced the 7.62x51mm NATO and its commercial twin, the .308 Winchester.
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