Having second thoughts about a savage 99?

[Country Boy]

  I bought one off an auction site. But, do people still use them for hunting.
    In the 65 yrs in SE Mo  I've never seen one in a deer camp or seen a used one forsale, or at the rifle range. Don"t people use them any more ? mine is a .308 and I thought it might be a good deer rifle for the brush or an occasional shot to 250 yds. Did I make a mistake here ?

[AtlLaw]

I don't think so.  I've got 2, an "A" in .308 and a "C" that was a .234 and is now a .358.

I like 'em!     I'd get more if I could find them at a decent price anymore... 

[LaOtto222]

I do not have one, but they have a good reputation for being smooth, rugged and decently accurate. I think you find that when someone gets one that is basically what they wanted and then have no reason to get rid of it because it performed as expected. They get passed down through the family a lot. When that happens the inheritor may not want to use it, but will not part with it because it was Dad's or Grandpa's gun.

[JPShelton]

I don't think you made a mistke.  I had a Savage lever action in .25-35 and it was a delightful rifle that was shockingly accurate.  I sold it to a collector who wanted a .25-35 more than I did.  At the time, I planned on buying a .250 Savage version to replace it and some 25 years later, I am still looking for the right rifle at the right price.

Many years ago, I hunted with a guy who used a Model 99 in .243 and even though one might argue that he SHOULD have limited his shots to 250 yards or less, he did no such thing.  He had plenty of one-shot kills out 300 yards and beyond with the rifle.  When I was a licensd guide, I had several clients who used M-99's in .300 Savage or .308 for the feral hog hunts I conducted along California's Central Coast region.  They all did well with them.

I wish I had one!

JP

[Savage .250]

The only mistake you made was in not knowing the history of the Sav 99.  One of the great rifles of all time.   

[zoner]

countryboy,the savage 99 is a fine rifle,especially if you are a lever action guy....iv'e been wanting one in 250 savage for a long time but they are pricey nowadays