Ammo Availability Impressions: .35 Rem vs 300 Savage?

[Big Paulie]

Dear Guys,

    In my everlasting search for a single, best lever carbine for me in the woods, I have the following question,   Based on your experience, which of the following two cartridges is easier to find (more available) in big stores and small stores?  

    Is the .35 Remington easier to find?

    Or,  is the .300 Savage easier to find?

[Disregard odd bullets weights, cause we are basically talking about the standard 200 grain for the .35 and the standard 150 grain for the Savage]

   Also, any rumors or facts about either of these being discontinued in factory ammo?

Thanks for all info.

Big Paulie

[leverfan]

In southwest Washington state, the 35 is by far the easiest to find.  The 300 Savage can be found at actual gun stores, but not at the bait/tackle/ammo counters of most of the rural convenience stores.

Now, just try tracking down some 303 Savage at the store.   I actually saw a couple of dusty boxes of it not too long ago.

[pastorp]

Big Paulie, I live in Alaska but do quite a bit of traveling. In my experience , in the majority of states the 35rem will be easier to come by. However there are a few areas that the 300 is also very available like montana, and most of the north eastern states.

Anyone that can legally own amo can order case lots by phone and have them delivered to your door. It is a little harder in Alaska but still can be done. In the lower 48 that may be your cheapest source.

I would buy the gun you like and then order a supply of amo, and not worry about local sources. Since you have chosen not to give a location in your profile thats about the best advise I can give you.  Regards, Byron

[Lawdog]

Big Paulie,

The .300 Savage was chambered in many different rifle by a number of companies.  I have found .300 Savage ammo to be more readily available then the .35 Remington around these parts.  Lawdog
 

[Buckeye]

35 Rem. in these parts, never saw but one 300 sav. and it was in a ole 99.

[C A Plater]

About the same in Wisconsin where I hunt.  I've seen both in Walmarts but mostly in places like Gander Mtn.  and gun shops.

[old06]

Here in this part of Louisiana the 35 rem can be picked up most places that carry more than 10 or 15 boxes on the shelf but you need to hit the big sporting good stores for 300 Savage. I spent 20 years in the USAF and moved quite a bit and in a few places 300 savage was a every day staple.  But both are a good reason to handload your own.

[Siskiyou]

I have to agree with Lawdog.  It is far easier to find .300 Savage ammo then .35 Remington in the these parts.  In fact in the last 30 years I have only run across one hunter carrying a Marlin in .35 Remington.  Back when I was a kid there was a local cowboy that had a Remington pump in .35 Remington.

My Dad was always enthused with the .35 Remington but when it came time to buy he bought three, .300 Savages.  The .35 Remington was not considered a two or three hundred yard caliber.

Some years back I bought five boxes of new "Peters" .300 Savage ammo because I was concerned that it was getting hard to find.  If you want easy to find ammo carry a 30-06, .308, .270 Win., or a 30-30.

[CJ]

leverfan,
    Did ya buy the .303? If not  let me know, I'm down to one box and just cant see $40+ a box for the stuff! Cant part with the 99 either.
  Back to the post, here in SE PA either is availble, .300sav is a gun store only item, .35 can be had at  better prices though.

[leverfan]

leverfan,
    Did ya buy the .303? If not  let me know, I'm down to one box and just cant see $40+ a box for the stuff! Cant part with the 99 either.

I let my uncle know about it, in case he wanted it.  He's got an old 99 that he inherited from his grandfather, and he doesn't reload.  The next time I'm in that store, I could see if there's still some 303 Savage on the shelf, and I'll be sure to PM you with the price if they still have some.  The 303 shows up at gun shows from time to time, also, and I'm going to a show this weekend.

[44 Man]

I must just like the 'oldies'.  I have a Savage 99 in .300 savage (built in 1939) that I just love!  I has to be the 'classic' deer rifle!  But I also own a Marlin in .35 rem with the barrel shortened to 18" and AO sights on it.  It's great in the thick stuff.  I handload for both so haven't really paid a lot of attention to factory stuff although Jay's (our local gun shop - 3 miles from home) has both.  In fact the last time I asked about .300 savage, they had several boxs of Remington and Winchester in 150s and 180s.  I haven't shopped factory loads for .35 rem for years.  There's nothing that works better than a 200 gr roundnose at 2000 fps.  44 Man

[Turkeyfeather]

You picked a good topic and a tough decision to make!

Both rifle calibers are great for woods hunting but the 35 Rem will probably outlive the 300 Savage for ammunition availability because the 35 Rem is still being chambered today by at least one mfgr.  The 35 is also a fine load for deer and perhaps even black bear at short ranges.

I personally love my 300 Savage and use it for both open country and woods hunting in Wisconsin. It has put venison in my freezer many times

If you want to hunt with one hi-power rifle for all ranges, I would suggest the 300 and buy a couple boxes of ammunition for reserve.
 :-)

[Big Paulie]

Dear Guys,

Thanks for all of the info on this.  It sounds to me like a pure "regional" thing regarding which cartridge is more available.  In the east, and in other places where there is thick deciduos forest, it sound like the .35 Remington is still a staple.    In the west, and in other areas where there is wide open ground, it sounds like the .300 Savage is more available.

With all of the rifles made in these calibers over the past century, I sincerely doubt that there will be a total cessation of making factory loads in our life time.

Thanks, Big Paulie