Load Specifications
Load data in caliber .303 Savage with .308 | 100gr | CutEdge ESP Raptor bullet and 7 powders. The key underlying parameters are shown in the table above. The recommended powders for this cartridge and bullet combination are ADI AR 2207, Vihtavuori N120 and ReloadSwiss RS 14.
Important Notice: DO NOT go below Minimum Charge or above Maximum Charge. Since we have no control over the equipment and components used, any responsibility and liability for the results achieved is rejected.
Only powders/loads that match the current filter criteria are displayed: max pressure of a load ≤ 90% of max. standardized pressure, fill rate ≥ 80% and propellant combustion ≥ 95%. Use the sliders above the tables to adjust these thresholds.
Charge: Powder weight in grains. Start with the minimum load and work up carefully.
FR (Fill Rate): Case fill as a percentage. Values above 100% mean compressed loads.
MaxP / %: Maximum chamber pressure in bar and as a percentage of the standardized maximum for this caliber.
V(0): Muzzle velocity in feet per second (fps) at the standardized barrel length.
z (Powder Burn): Estimated propellant combustion percentage at bullet exit.
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Max Load - Barrel Length: 22"
| Powder | Charge | FR | MaxP | % | V(0) | z |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ADI AR 2207 | <<locked>> | 92% | 34,403 psi | 88% | 2743 fps | 97.3% |
| Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 28,108 psi | 72% | 1791 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4227 | <<locked>> | 84% | 35,085 psi | 90% | 2648 fps | 96% |
| Lovex S053 | <<locked>> | 84% | 33,547 psi | 86% | 2625 fps | 98.7% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 27,688 psi | 71% | 1837 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA6 1/2 | <<locked>> | 88% | 35,317 psi | 90% | 2556 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N120 | <<locked>> | 92% | 34,809 psi | 89% | 2717 fps | 98.5% |
Recommended = one of the top powders for this cartridge and bullet combination.
Start Load - Barrel Length: 22"
| Powder | Charge | FR | MaxP | % | V(0) | z |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ADI AR 2207 | 28.2 gr | 86% | 28,427 psi | 73% | 2582 fps | 95% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss | <<locked>> | 80% | 20,537 psi | 52% | 1604 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4227 | <<locked>> | 82% | 32,750 psi | 84% | 2589 fps | 95.2% |
| Lovex S053 | <<locked>> | 80% | 29,907 psi | 76% | 2530 fps | 97.7% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14 | 9.6 gr | 80% | 19,769 psi | 50% | 1634 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA6 1/2 | <<locked>> | 80% | 28,239 psi | 72% | 2398 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N120 | 26.9 gr | 82% | 25,556 psi | 65% | 2461 fps | 95% |
Recommended = one of the top powders for this cartridge and bullet combination.
ᴾ possible press load - work up slowly to this load while watching for signs of excessive pressure.
This overview compares 7 powders for .303 Savage loaded with the .308 | 100gr | CutEdge ESP Raptor. ADI AR 2207 delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 2,743 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 1,791 fps to 2,743 fps. Hodgdon TrailBoss gives the best case fill at 100 %, and 7 of the 7 powders fall inside the usable 80–100 % fill window.
Relative to the caliber's maximum pressure (270 MPa), the top charges use 71–90 %, leaving at least 10 % headroom. Hodgdon TrailBoss, ReloadSwiss RS 14 reach 100 % fill or more at maximum charge, so these are compressed loads: they need a long drop tube to seat cleanly and react sensitively to the case capacity of your own brass lot. ADI AR 2207, Vihtavuori N120, ReloadSwiss RS 14 rank at the top here: for .303 Savage with the .308 | 100gr | CutEdge ESP Raptor they combine a high case fill with complete burn and sit in the upper velocity band. Always begin at the start load and work up in small increments while checking case and primer for pressure signs.