Author Topic: How Many Savage 99 Users and Lovers Out There? (Read 3108 times)

woodseye · « **on:** December 24, 2003, 12:12:21 AM »

I've been using and hunting with 99's for about 29 years and have managed to snag a mint 1960 250-3000 w/fast twist - a nice well worn grey lady 1957 308 - an unfired 1968 Presentation Grade - and a dandy 1978 308. They are easy to carry with a perfect balance point as well as natural to raise and point. Very popular up in my neck of the woods and fun to hunt and shoot with. How about everyone else?

woods

Snowshoe · « **Reply #1 on:** December 24, 2003, 01:22:56 AM »

I had one in .243 years ago, and am very sorry I let it go. I have made up my mind to trade my varmint rifle on one. I was thinking of a .300 Savage or a .308, and use light bullets and a scope for coyotes, and the open sights and a heavy bullet for my walking deer rifle. I am tired of carrying my heavy bolt action rifle all day long. Love the 99's.

C A Plater · « **Reply #2 on:** December 24, 2003, 02:29:36 AM »

Last spring I found a 50's vintage .250 that was mostly unmolested. It had a lame swivel set installed in the grip cap and forend screw but those have been restored. I added a Marble tang sight and it is one pussycat of a rifle. I paid way too much for it but finding a nice shooter is getting harder all the time. I may give it a chance on the Wisconsin late CWD zone deer after Christmas.

John Y Cannuck · « **Reply #3 on:** December 24, 2003, 02:45:43 AM »

You might want to grab this months "RIFLE" it has an article on the 250-3000 in the 99.

Mine is in 308Win.

Lawdog · « **Reply #4 on:** December 24, 2003, 09:05:13 AM »

I managed to grab a few too. Only ones I would ever consider is those with rotary magazines. My first was a .300 Savage that was followed by a .250/3000. Both in near new condition. Then I was given a .243 by an Uncle that gave up hunting due to health reasons. After that came a .308 and now I'm looking for a .22 Hi Power and a .358. I don't think finding those are going to be very easy. Lawdog

Kragman71 · « **Reply #5 on:** December 24, 2003, 10:49:40 AM »

Although I've always liked the 'feel' of the '99,I bought my first one ths past October. It's a nice 1953(about) R.
Yesterday,I mounted a Bushnell scope on it and today I loaded up some ammo for it. With out a scope,the thing is just a wall hanger.
Frank

Dogshooter · « **Reply #6 on:** December 24, 2003, 03:32:35 PM »

My dad had a 250-300 for deer when I was a kid and I always wanted one. I just picked up a 99A featherweight in 30-30 made in 1928 that is UNFIRED! It was a special order rifle, ordered with upgraded wood and hand checkering. My first 99 but I am hooked already.

CJ · « **Reply #7 on:** December 24, 2003, 06:37:23 PM »

One more owner and lover here, I'm down to 4 from a high of 8 in various chamberings. Matter of fact I just got into a "discussion " at one of my local shops about .303savage. I am trying to get some ammo before it dries up and the owner of the shop is trying to sell me .300sav or .303british saying there is no such thing as a .303sav. I told him after the Holidays I would bring the rifle and ammo in and show him.

woodseye · « **Reply #8 on:** December 25, 2003, 01:59:39 AM »

I see they have a following on this board as well as up north here. Thanks for the heads-up John, I'll check it out.

Quote

After that came a .308 and now I'm looking for a .22 Hi Power and a .358. I don't think finding those are going to be very easy. Lawdog

Up here at the gunshows you can find them no problem........its parting with the amount of money it takes to bring one home thats the hard part!

I too prefer the rotary magazines with cartridge counter over the newer clip models. I have killed the majority of my deer with a 99 in 308 and have no complaints whatsoever. Heres one of Savage's fanciest ones.....

woods

Loozinit · « **Reply #9 on:** December 25, 2003, 07:41:06 AM »

For me, the Savage 99 will always be the best lever rifle ever made - bar none. Mine is a 1937 in .300 (I think it's an EG with the fine forend and schnabel/shotgun style butt) and there is no better all around deer cartridge - tho there are plenty other fine and equal choices. Nothing comes to my shoulder quicker or lines up faster. No scope - I find it would interfere with the highly sculpted lines of this "futuristic" turn-of-the-century rifle. Love those earlier Wins and Marlins but there is no comparison at the bulls-eye...

Hope ya'all had a Merry Christmas.

Ron T. · « **Reply #10 on:** December 25, 2003, 07:50:31 AM »

MMMMMMMMMMMMMM. Great looking rifle, Woodseye

My deer rifle is my 1953 Savage Model 99 (late model EG) in .300 Savage caliber with the magazine counter, rotary magazine, schnoble forearm and jeweled breech bolt is in near perfect condition.

The .300 Savage is still a very effective deer cartridge that was originally introduced in 1920 by Savage Arms to approximate the then-current ballistics of the .30/06 (150 grain bullet @ 2700 fps).

The .300 Savage is the father of the .308 Winchester which has about a slightly greater powder capacity and is loaded to considerably higher internal pressures thus giving it a higher muzzle velocity.

I wouldnt trade my Model 99 rifle nor its caliber for ANY other rifle on earth. Does that tell-you-something about the way I feel about both the rifle AND its caliber?

Strength & Honor

Ron T.

Prince of Wales · « **Reply #11 on:** December 25, 2003, 02:28:41 PM »

My Savage 99 is in 308. Its my work horse. All round Blacktail/Black Bear rifle. Best of luck.POW

savageT · « **Reply #12 on:** December 26, 2003, 04:13:08 AM »

The love of my life is a 1938 Model T M99 in .300sav.
I know, some collectors say the model T is ugly, but I disagree. Semi-beavertail forearm with blunt rounded tip, checkered w/ oil finish. I purchased it a few years ago from GunBroker and it is in remarkable condition. It had been drilled and tapped for a scope so I put on a nice Bushnell Trophy 1.5-5 X 40 scope and one-piece Leupold mount. It's Sweet to shoot and I'm still waiting to bag a whitetail.
By the way****** Does anyone have a set of model T sites: Semibuckhorn rear without sighting notch, but with white vertical center mark. Red bead front sight on raised ramp?

dakotashooter2 · « **Reply #13 on:** December 26, 2003, 04:30:26 AM »

Am trying to talk my father out of the one in 303 savage he retired many years ago. Have already bought dies and am collecting brass. Also picked up the sight ladder that was missing. Don't think my father fired more than 100 rounds through this gun and the fellow before him about the same. Plan on working up some nice cast bullet loads.

savageT · « **Reply #14 on:** December 26, 2003, 04:45:23 AM »

Quote from: dakotashooter2

Am trying to talk my father out of the one in 303 savage he retired many years ago. Have already bought dies and am collecting brass. Also picked up the sight ladder that was missing. Don't think my father fired more than 100 rounds through this gun and the fellow before him about the same. Plan on working up some nice cast bullet loads.

dakotashooter,
Keep us posted on your reloading efforts. The .303sav is a great round. I have a friend who owns one and harvested many a whitetail with his. He's still using ammo from his dad's original supply so he doesn't sight it in anymore. Before reloading, I didn't want to conside owning one because it is impossible to find ammo. Now, I would love to find an m1899 in take-down.

Jim

littlenate · « **Reply #15 on:** December 26, 2003, 07:04:47 AM »

Bought my first '99 in mid 70's, a featherweight("F") in 284W, for use as combo.deer/rifle on backpacking hunts.. that has led to the present small trove of 14 various.... latest (just this fall) are 358 W.and 375W...just starting to work up cast bullet loads for both. :roll: :roll:

257AI · « **Reply #16 on:** December 26, 2003, 03:21:41 PM »

Great little rifles, I'm down to five now. My oldest is a 1905 Vintage 303 that has its barrel bobbed, wood replaced , drilled and tapped. I'm going to work up some loads and take it after deer when it is 100 years old. Have a lyman alaskan on it. Next oldest is 22 hp with Stith scope in stith mounts, just got some brass for it today so can start working up loads. then the next is a 30-30 takedown with a Redfield tang receiver sight. rough on the outside clean and shiny on the inside. Then a 99R in 300 Sav, factory drilled and tapped with Lyman 3x on top. Last is a 99F in 250-3000 topped with a Leupold 4x. Had to sell my 1936 99R in 250-3000 with side mount. Hated to see it go. Been selling off some of my guns but these are going to stay along with my 219 with 4 barrels.

257AI

Old Griz · « **Reply #17 on:** December 26, 2003, 09:31:34 PM »

I was at a gun show in Ft. Collins, CO last Summer when I ran across a BEAUTIFUL 99 in .308. It had a regular receiver, but presentation wood. I think he wanted $485 for it, but we were on vacation and funds were too tight. Saving up just in case I find him, and the 99, next Summer. I doubt it, but I can always live in hope.
:cb2:

Turkeyfeather · « **Reply #18 on:** February 03, 2004, 08:00:33 AM »

:-) Hey Old Griz, I have been shooting and collecting rifles for only about 20 years now but I just luv the heck out of the old Savage 99. I picked up a real nice, well used but preserved 1921 250-3000 with a marble tang sight that shoots like a dream. It's a takedown model with a short barrel. It handles great, swings easy and shoots 2" groups at 100 yds. I handload 100 gr corelock bullets and is real fun to shoot.

My second model is a real nice 1957, 300 Savage with a long barrel. Fits me very well and I would use it on anything. Took my last two whitetails in Wisconsin without a catch. The old factory wood refinished very nice and has a beautiful light grain through the forearm.

I have other brands but the old Savage rifles alway seem to fit me well and shoot fine. I'll buy another anyday!!

Old Griz · « **Reply #19 on:** February 03, 2004, 12:19:12 PM »

I hope I can find one in .243 for use on coyotes and deer. But I'm afraid I'll never use my trusty .30-30 any more if I get hooked on the 99. Maybe I can find someone interested in a Cowboy .30-30.
:cb2:

Will_C · « **Reply #20 on:** February 03, 2004, 02:12:17 PM »

I am not an owner, but I am a lover! Something tells me I am going to wander into a gunshop one day and there will be a .250-3000, older model with the rotary magazine and cartridge counter, and I'll leave with a lighter wallet :lol:
Will

jbmi · « **Reply #21 on:** February 06, 2004, 09:42:01 AM »

Here are my three most favorite levers. Savage 99 in 358, Winchester 88 in 338-08 and Winchester Model 64 in 30/30. All perfect for my left handed shooting and any whitetail that walks in any woods. I think any of them would be good for elk out to 159 yd's also.

shotgunner · « **Reply #22 on:** February 08, 2004, 01:45:08 AM »

I hunt with an early 99 in .308, I use double lever mounts with a low power scope and a tang sight as a back up. It is a very nice rig. My 12 year old son is a lefty and the later 99A with a tang safety in .250-3000 worked out great for him. I have another 250-3000, a 99K with factory engraving. I hunt with it a little, but only when the weather is nice, and I am very careful crossing fences. Buy the way, I tried the Encore forend trick with my .308. A washer between the forend screw and the barrel. It free floats the barrel and mine shoots great with it. Shotgunner

marlinman93 · « **Reply #23 on:** February 09, 2004, 04:46:51 PM »

I used to have a small collection of Savage lever actions consisting of early models 1895 .303, 1899's in .22 Savage, .250 Savage, .300 Savage, and a .30-30. Sold all of them when I got Marlinitis.
Last year I was at a gun show, and found a very nice .300 Savage takedown with tang sight for $250, so I jumped on it. It feels good to have another fine Savage 99 in my collection again!

gewehrfreund · « **Reply #24 on:** February 10, 2004, 03:00:24 AM »

My only 99 right now is an 1899 in 30-30 made on 1903. It has a 26" octagon barrel and seems very accurate so I put a non-vintage! Williams tang sight on it. Tastes can change, but at this point, I don't ever plan on getting rid of it.[/img]

257Robt · « **Reply #25 on:** February 10, 2004, 03:15:28 PM »

Mine is a 1899 Model H in 22 Hi-Power. Fun rifle to shoot. Although, when I brought it home, I thought my wife was going to use it on me. I just told her, after 5 yrs of looking for the one I wanted, I would do the same thing again. Despite the consequences. When I saw it, it called my name. :blaster:

tscott · « **Reply #26 on:** February 10, 2004, 03:41:14 PM »

I got a Savage 99....300, from my uncle. My Dad gave it to him new in 1953. I made the mistake of putting the original Weaver scope back on it...... Big buck at 150 yds... could not see it for the sun glare.
Had a good laugh, as I have shot so many deer. I took the scope off!
I love the feel of this gun without the scope.... shoots 3" left with open sights at 100 yards. I'm not touching a thing. I'm looking forward to
deer season with open sights, this year for the first time since my 30-30 days.....decades ago!!!!

358owner · « **Reply #27 on:** February 22, 2004, 02:13:12 PM »

For many years now I have been searching for a clean mod 99. Wasnt too concerned with the caliber, but most of what I have run into have been ridden hard and put away wet. So just out of chance I happened to walk into my local gun shop about 3 weeks ago and in the very back of the consignment rack was that ever ellusive 99 shaped stock. I immediately asked to see it, a near new mod 99F in .358win with the jeweled bolt, checkered wood, color-case hardened lever, the gun I have wanted for years. And what a find in .358! It had been in a collectors safe for over thirty years, only taken out occasionally to clean and oil. Apparently this collector was in a tight financial pinch and to cut this story short, It became mine for $325.

I now have a new favorite.

Big Tex · « **Reply #28 on:** March 23, 2004, 03:38:14 PM »

I've been working up a 99C in .308 the last month. It came with the checkering and a rotary mag. It has a Wms. peep sight screwed into the rear scope mount. The stock front sight was too short and canted counterclockwise, making the gun decussate right to left as the range increased. It was high at all ranges. I think that's why it was for sale. I replaced it with a ramp and a Hi Viz dovetail fiberoptic sight, and put a decelerator on it. Boy, does that sight show up in the peep. The gunsmith ooched the sight to the right in the dovetail, lining it up with the bore perpendicular. I'll have to check it at the range to see about the adjustment. It groups about 2" @ 100 yds with the peep-fiber sights, so it needs to shoot straight. I didn't think a saddle gun could shoot that well.

tscott · « **Reply #29 on:** March 23, 2004, 04:37:49 PM »

I got a 1955 "F"......Has had 23 rounds through it... Only shoots deer!
It gets scratched occasionally, dragging it out of the coat closet, over mark V's, and 700's. Nothing carries like this gun... sans scope and sling!