Author Topic: Savage 99f 308 to 358 conversion (Read 1123 times)

Ravenwolf · « **on:** February 09, 2005, 04:50:55 AM »

What say you. I have a Savage 99f that is currently in 308 Win I'm thinking of having rebarreled to 358 Win. It will be used for Black Bear and Whitetail in really dense forest here in NY's Adirondack Mountains. Would it be a worth while conversion? Has anyone done one? Thanks....RW

mogwai · « **Reply #1 on:** February 10, 2005, 03:18:41 PM »

I am inches away from having Fred Zeglin at Z-hat do this conversion for me. It is a simple matter of rebarreling or reboring your existing barrel. Whether it is worth it or not depends on how big a gun nut you are. :grin:

Ravenwolf · « **Reply #2 on:** February 11, 2005, 05:31:21 AM »

Mogwai, thanks for the reply. I may give Fred a call and talk to him about it. I'm kind weighing my options. I know the .308 would handle this hunting situation but the larger diameter of the .358 and ability to use a heavier bullet would be a little insurance for a called in Blackie up close. But haven't convined myself it is that much more a cartridge...RW

icedog · « **Reply #3 on:** February 11, 2005, 08:31:17 PM »

I'd be interested in hearing how this goes, as I have a similar plan in mind, but instead of using my "good" .308 I've located a "donor" action which I hope to get at a reasonable price (the rest of the gun is Bubba'd crap).

Harry Snippe · « **Reply #4 on:** February 17, 2005, 06:03:27 PM »

I went from the 308 W to the 358 BLR. Something I should have done twenty years ago.
Brass can always be had by reforming 308 Brass, and bullet selection is good for this cartridge
The 358 has a lot of thump but not to your shoulder.
I like it a lot better than the 45/70 guide

Bore that savage out or rebarrel, or price out a 358 W in a BLR.
Happy

Ravenwolf · « **Reply #5 on:** February 18, 2005, 03:14:14 AM »

Harry, thanks for the reply. I like the idea of a larger bore for hunting blackies in thick cover. I would think it would hit with a little more authority. I'll have to see which is more economical - having the barrel bored out or a new barrel...RW

icedog · « **Reply #6 on:** February 18, 2005, 09:50:52 AM »

I was recently quoted $360 Canadian from a very reliable shop for a .358 rebore on a Savage 99 in .308. That included barrel removal. rebore, and re-install. A re-barrel was some $200-$300 more because of the additional cost of the blank and the extra machining required. I was led to understand that there is a bit more work in a 99 Savage rebarrel than in some of the others.

Harry Snippe · « **Reply #7 on:** February 20, 2005, 08:51:46 AM »

I was told about $ 225 canadian so shop around. That could be just for the barrel work, I am not sure anymore.
The 243/ 308/358 share the came case so there should not be too much to rework on a savage that has this case.
Should the total cost exceed the price of a new rifle you might want to check on a blr or watch out for a Savage rifle built in '79 I believe.

I know a few guys that love the '99 and would just have a rebarrel , just to have a savage 99.

Dumza · « **Reply #8 on:** March 08, 2005, 06:45:31 PM »

Had a 99E in 243. Bought it in 64 Shot great then barrel went bad, blowing primers and splitting cased on factory loads. Sent it to Savage. Told me barrel was bad, log/ short story. They rebuilt it with a new .358 Win. barrel and tweaked a few other things for $165 including shipping. But again that was in 81. Best thing I ever did. Knocks the he...ck out of deer out to about 175 yds. Does recoil more than a .243 though and not as flat a shooter. But that larger bullet does knock things around when it hits. Accuracy? I'm getting 3 rds. in 1.25 " 5 at 1.75" at 100 yards. That's my best not average. Average for 5 shots is about 2.25" Then I'm not that good a shot. Maybe ought to invest in sand bags. Usually shoot it just holding it with elbows supported on table. Hope this helps.. Dumza