.303 Savage?

[jd45]

While I was at Gander Mountain yesterday, putting some money towards a Puma 92 I've got on layaway, I looked in the used gun rack & saw an old Savage 99 they wanted $1500.00(!) for. It wasn't a takedown model, had scratches all over the wood & metal, the blueing was faded, & their tag said .303 Savage. I looked on the barrel.....sure enough, it said .303 caliber, but not .303 Savage...just .303 caliber. Was there ever a .303 Savage cartridge, or was this .303 British, & why in the hell did they want so much for it? Thanx for the feedback.jd45

[leverfan]

Yes, there was a cartridge called the .303 Savage.  My uncle has one that was passed down to him by my great grandfather.  Ken Waters has some good loads for the .303 in his Pet Loads book.  Factory ammo can still be found, covered with dust on the back of the shelf, in a few local stores.  It's actually a .308" bore, very unlike the .303 British.  

I suppose they're charging that much because they hope someone will pay it.   Savage 99 collectors that want all the chamberings are apt to be a driving factor on the price.

[savageT]

While I was at Gander Mountain yesterday, putting some money towards a Puma 92 I've got on layaway, I looked in the used gun rack & saw an old Savage 99 they wanted $1500.00(!) for. It wasn't a takedown model, had scratches all over the wood & metal, the blueing was faded, & their tag said .303 Savage. I looked on the barrel.....sure enough, it said .303 caliber, but not .303 Savage...just .303 caliber. Was there ever a .303 Savage cartridge, or was this .303 British, & why in the hell did they want so much for it? Thanx for the feedback.jd45

In 1895 Savage started production on his lever-action, rotary magazined model 1895 in the Marlin Firearms Factory in New Haven Connecticut.  The action was lengthened to accept the new .303 cartridge.  So the history of the .303 Savage caliber has been there in production through the models 1899 and 99.  The ballistics were similar to the 30-30 (.308" dia. bullet) but offered 190grain bullet.  It was later replaced with the .300 Savage.
You ask why $1000?....It might well be worth that based on model and year made.

Jim

[257Robt]

I don't know much about Savage 1899's and 99's except  that I love my 1899 Model H in 22 Hi Power. I will say this though about Gander Mountain and I hope I don't step on anyones toes by saying this. Our local Gander will jack the prices up on many older rifles simply because they are old. I seen this first hand when I was looking for my Hi Power. They had a Model H on the used gun rack and were asking $700.00 for it. I had to ask the guy working if their price was for real or a joke. I asked because
1. the receiver was drilled and tapped for a peep sight.
2. the original rear sight was missing.
3. the original butt plate was gone and a red Marbles rubber recoil pad was installed.
4. the overall condition of the rifle was terrible.

When I stated these concerns to the guy working, he simply said "they are hard to find and a collector will buy it." As I said, I don't know much about Savage 99's, but I do know that a collector wouldn't have paid that much for this rifle. I also know that unless you are a collector or gun enthusiast, the average Joe has no idea what a 22 Hi Power is.
There are occasions when you can find some good prices on firearms, but I haven't been fortunate enough to find many myself.
I say this because I have seen this on several occasions. If I have offended anyone, I am sorry, but this is what I have seen.

[Ron T.]

The Model 99 Savage rifle 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 Model 99 Savage rifle is a "classic" and handles like a dream.  It's lever action is "butter-smooth" compared to most other lever action rifles.

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.

[tscott]

I'm with you !!!!! I got a 1955f .300 that shoots 180's & 150 equally.
The Savage 99 is the classiest deer rifle ever made. I know in the northeast tons of old time hunters feel this way..
My 99f with a small Leupy up top is pure heaven!!!

[leverfan]

I just noticed that Cabela's is offering .303 Savage factory loads, and I thought some folks might be interested.  If you've got one of these old guns, and you don't relaod, that's one more source to keep the rifle out in the hunt, where it belongs.