savage 99 or blr ?

[280win]

I am looking at one or the other in 308.
witch is the most accurate and the better buy?
                       


                thanks 280win

[Ron T.]

The Model 99 Savage is in the midst of becoming a true American icon.

I use a 1953 Savage Model 99 (a late model “EG”) in .300 Savage for all my deer hunting and I don't think either the rifle or the caliber can be beat for deer out to 250 yards.

The .300 Savage cartridge, using 180 grain bullets, is easily capable of taking elk, moose and black bear at reasonable ranges (under 200 yards) while the use of 120 grain to 130 grain premium bullets turn the efficient .300 Savage into a great antelope rifle for long range shooting.  The 150 grain bullet is an excellent choice for deer.

The rifle is a "classic" and handles like a dream.  It's lever action is "butter-smooth" compared to most other lever actioned rifles and the .300 Savage, "father" of the .308 Winchester cartridge, is acknowledged by those who “know” as "THE" perfect deer cartridge because most hunting bullets offer outstanding performance at .300 Savage velocities while averaging 25%-30% less recoil than a .270 Winchester with equal weight bullets.

My hunting handload, consisting of a 150 grain Nosler Ballistic Tip Bullet in front of 41.5 grains of IMR4895 rifle powder and a standard Winchester large rifle primer, chronographs at an average muzzle velocity of 2680 fps while giving an average of  ¾ of an inch, 3-shot groups @ 100 yards off the bench rest with my Bushnell 3x-9x variable scope set on "9x".  It fired a 3-shot group of .112 inches @ 50 yards off a bench rest using sandbags and a rifle rest.  I’ve seen many other Model 99 owners claim ¾ inch accuracy at 100 yards from their Savage Model 99’s as well and I have no reason to doubt them.  The Savage Model 99 is undoubtedly one of the, if not “THE”, most accurate lever action rifle available anywhere.

Sighted in 2.75-inches high at 100 yards, the .300 Savage cartridge has a point blank range of 265 yards, meaning the bullet does not rise or fall more than 3 inches above or below the "line-of-sight" from the rifle's muzzle to 265 yards down-range which is a long shot for most hunters.

There's something to be said about hunting with a "classic" rifle in a "classic" caliber... and the Savage Model 99 in .300 Savage caliber offers its owner a reasonably light, fast-handling, truly "classic", but very useful rifle for all occasions in a very reasonable price range.

If you’d like more information about the Model 99 Savage, get THE “authority”, Doug Murray’s book, “THE NINETY-NINE”.  Murray’s book is a wealth of information.  He will personalize and sign your copy of his book if you request it.  Here’s the order information.  Delivery takes about 10 days to 2 weeks:
 
Doug Murray
20 Polo Lane
Westbury, NY 11590

The cost is $30.00 post paid, Canada add $3.00.


Strength & Honor…

Ron T.

[Prince of Wales]

280 I use a 99 Savage in 308 Win and consider it to be an all around rifle/caliber combination for where I live. Here on Prince of Wales Island Ak. the primary species hunted are blacktail deer and black bear. The areas hunted are primarily densely wooded with large open clear cuts. The lever action is ideal in the woods and the 308 is well suited to the open areas. If it were deer only I might consider a lighter faster round but with bear thrown into the equation the 308 is just right. If it were all clear cut then the choice might go to a bolt action  but in the woods the lever is great. Enough of telling you what you alrerady know.
 I will not try to convince you to go with either of your candidates specifically but inform you that there are preferances to consider.
 The prefered Browning(s) were produced at Fabrique National in Belgium. There are BLRs available in 308 from that era.
 In the Savage 99 I personally consider those with cut checkering to be the more desirable. I think either of these rifles will do you proud if you find a good one. Best of luck. POW

[superdown]

hi everyone i have had both rifles in 308.win the blr is alot nicer to look at but both are  very good you will probably be able to get a 99 alot cheaper than a blr but  you cant go wrong with either one. just my .02

[Buckeye]

Model 88 Winchester !


Buckeye

[Blackhawk44]

Having used both, in 308, usually the BLR will be the slicker action.  The older 99's with cut checkering (as stated) were equally smooth but hard to locate in some areas.  Also, the BLR seems to handle pressure a bit better as exemplified by less apparent case stretching.

[doghouse95]

Because of the way the BLR is built, it locks up better than any other lever gun on the market.  I have a 99 or three seting in the safe, and don't own a BLR, but it is a better engeneered action with more consistant headspacing.

[RIFLERANGER]

Buckeye, Ditto !!
Superdown, Ditto !!
Accuracy wise, probably extremely similar, I would give the edge to the BLR only because the way it is built, it is really a bolt gun that uses a lever to cycle the bullets.
I love the look of the BLRs moreso than even the prettiest of the 99s, but pricewise, I would have to run with RonT.
If nostalgia is a factor for any reason, then run with the 99 in .300S, but ultimately, go handle both of them and see which one YOU like better.
Ranger