Passed on Savage 99

[blixen]

I've posted before that I've gotta hankering for a Sav. 99. I got good advice, thanks.

So I closed in on one at pawn shop. "h" stamp (1956) in 30-30. Take-down model. Good condition-- a little pitting on receiver and bluing rubbed off the end of the barrel. Cracked wrist of buttstock, repaired with pins and glue. Gleaming bore after I ran a few patches through it. Original peep tang sight and hinged scope mount.
139624
$400 OTD, which is a lot of $ to me. I've looked at about a dozen 99s, the cheapest was $600 for one of the more recent ones with impressed checkering.

When I waffled, the guy kindly let me take it home (with full deposit) shoot it if I wanted. ( I've bought guns from him before.)

the big problem was the take-down. Visually pristine, no apparent wear. But after fiddling with it for a couple hours I could NOT get the wobble entirely out of it. A tiny bit remained, I almost couldn't see it--but I could feel it. For the heck of it, I cleaned the copper out of the bore and shot it with an assortment of handloads and got 3 inch groups with 7-8 grains of Red Dot at 75 yards, 157 gr. .311--so there is possibly potential. And I have idea for a fix, but the attempt would have voided my handshake warranty with the guy.

Btw, I searched the Net for a fix and the answers varied from gluing it permanently with aircraft epoxy to a poorly explained method of peening the threads to having the barrel set back and rechambered.

In short, the negatives added up enough that I didn't want to risk my fix, or pay a gunsmith to try something. so I took it back. I know, anti-climatic.

[richhodg66]

I'd have dropped $400 without hesitating, but I'm a real sucker for 99s.

Hold out for what you want, you're the one who has to be happy with it.

[pworley1]

The hunt is half the fun. Keep looking, you will know it when you see it.

[Artful]

Or you could share the phone# of the shop and we can salve our addiction.

[OverMax]

The Savage take-downs often require a heavily charged hunting cartridge so's to tighten its barrel assembly to its take-down threading. The shooting of light target charges seldom do what's required. I've got one one of these rifles and that's what mine requires to tighten itself up. There after its accuracy remains constant until its broke down again. It's not loose. I believe it's just the way those early rifles were designed.

[Jedman]

That was a real good price you got it for. The tang sight is worth at least $ 150 alone.

Jedman

[M-Tecs]

Go back and buy it and sell it to me for $475.00 plus shipping:lol::lol::lol: or have the shop sell it to me and I will send you $25.00 for a finders fee. PM sent. This is a serious offer.

[nekshot]

if straight grip, you did right. If pistol grip I would have emptied the piggy bank!

[451whitworth]

I don't think take downs were manufactured after WW2. I don't think they chambered the 30-30 in the 99 after WW2 either.

[quack1]

To me, it looks like a reblue job, might be why the lower than usual price. Extremely hard to tell from one picture, but it looks the screw holes and cartridge counter hole are slightly dished out from polishing. Also the joint between barrel and receiver has been rounded off a little. Finally, the lever appears to have a purple cast to it which can happen when you reblue a part that was originally case hardened.

[ascast]

I have a couple of those and they tend to be loose. They need to be to in a take down. I suggest you go back, buy it and really drive it around the block. You got a couple guys here who have expressed interest should you ultimately not be happy. I would certainly run a box or 2 of full throttle loads trough it. Good tuned up load or at least concentricely seated bullets in a box of factory ammo. It might surprise you. As for the fixes, glueing is good, but really hard to do if it is a real takedown; meaning interupted threads. Be sure to check the release temp of the glue before going that route. Shimming the barrel forward is also very good, but good luck finding someone to do it.

[021]

Something isn't right. Takedowns were not manufactured in 1956, or anywhere near then. Pass on that one.

[blixen01]

I don't think take downs were manufactured after WW2. I don't think they chambered the 30-30 in the 99 after WW2 either.

It looks like it's much older than 50s, but it has an "H" on the lever boss.. (?) I'm no expert. It has a curved steel butt plate engraved Savage Arms.

Re: other questions/comments:
In did fire a dozen 28-29 gr. loads of 322 topped with 150 gr. Speer jacketed. That loosened the barrel.

I didn't want to get into it but Here's my theory on tightening it (with all the BS on the web about 99s, I might as well add mine.)--those familiar with take downs can follow this.
The threads hold the barrel tight, but it has a slot that indexes on a metal tab in the forearm when you snap it on. I found that if the barrel was fully tightened, it had no wobble. But if it backed out counterclockwise just the tiniest amount, say less than the thickness of a business card, it would have a perceptible wobble.

The indexing tab is just not that precise and to make matters worse, the forearm socket has a little play, it's only held in place by a spring loaded latch. BTW, the barrel spun right of with a little hand twist.

I did an experiment. Using Aluminum tape, I shimmed the offside of the tab so it pushed the barrel clockwise and it actually worked (of course a few shot packed the tape and the wobble came back.) fix would be to solder or braise a brass shim in place and also tighten the tolerance in the forearm socket. While also somehow making the barrel threads torque tighter.. It would be a PITA to take the barrel off, but that was probably a bad idea in the first place.

The above are the musings of a hillbilly engineer.

[blixen]

M-Techs. PM sent.

[pietro]

.

FWIW, I'd have passed on it, also - and, in fact, have done so several times in the past.

I don't do either Grey Rats (dull/patina receiver), or poor polish/reblue jobs (note the improper rounded edges @ the takedown seam).

In over 50 years, I've yet to buy a gun just because it was inexpensive - I have to like it, too.



.

[northmn]

If I were to get another Savage it would not be in a 30-30 either. That likely brought the price down a bit also. The big sellers for use are the 300 and the 250. 250's really bring a premium price locally. 303's attract collectors and can be spendy but I would not want one for shooting. In 30-30 I would take a Marlin any day.

DEP

[Maximumbob54]

I would have been selling blood for a $400 99. One in either .300 or .30-30 would please me to no end.

[Geezer in NH]

Collector piece it is not!! drilled for scope mounts nope it is a shooter IMHO I have owned over 100 99's. All are gone but drilled and tapped are shooter. At the price offered you missed the buy. Tang peep is $150 minimum. that makes it $250 invested and in todays market I would expect a $200 profit after the sight. Just look at the droolers here.

[blixen01]

Ha. Ha. Sorry, it just didn't do it for me. Call it karma. The rifle didn't feel right. And I don't have the time or inclination to buy a gun to make a profit.

I'll keep looking for a sav. 99 in 300 sav. that feels "right." Meanwhile, I'll console myself by shooting my old 1902 win. 94 and Marlin 336 more. And keep looking for a sav. 99 in 300 sav. that feels "right."

I might put the $400 towards making one of them a 38-55.

[clum553946]

If it doesn't feel right to you, you did right to pass on it. It is a good deal & someone, perhaps a forum member, will be happy with it!

[northmn]

The 99 Savage seems to have quite a following. I had an older 300 and made a very pretty shot on a deer with it, but did not like the rifle. Trigger pull was strange and inconsistent and the safety on the lever was a real PITA as I shoot left handed. The rifle itself was also kind of awkward to carry as compared to a Marlin or Winchester. While the 300 is not a bad caliber, its advantages over the 30-30, now that Hornady makes LE loads had diminished. The 30-30 is a far better caliber for cast bullets. Even so, the Savage 99 was an itch I had to scratch and I wish you luck in your search.

DP

[gnoahhh]

Yeah, a rifle has to "feel right", and I don't blame the OP from getting cold feet. Still, $400 isn't bad in this day and age for a decent shooter-grade .30-30 Savage takedown. (Not enough in the pic to say for sure which model- 1899H or 99F.) I would've bought it in a heart beat.

I have been fooling with takedown Savages for a while now- they're my personal favorites. The TD threads tightening through bullet torque is one of the more humorous old wive's tales I've heard. It's right in saying though that the threads have to be snug, the indexing slots lined up and for the indexing tab to fit snugly, and the latch should be snug. Those are all issues that can be easily overcome. LIGHTLY tapping the barrel threads with the peen-end of a ball peen hammer and trial and error fitting until they are snug again is a time honored trick. No black magic there. Building up the index lug and fitting by cut-and-fit is easily done by anybody who has a modicum of common sense and skill. Likewise getting the latch snug- often just a matter of lightly tapping the barrel lug closed a touch.

I shoot my .30-30/.303/.22HP Savage takedowns with multitudes of light cast loads with zip-zilch-nada loosening of the TD feature. None. What loosens up Savage takedowns is horny handed dismantling, repeated dis-assembly and failure to lube the threads. (I keep a light coat of Lubriplate on mine, and don't take them down and put them back together any more than absolutely necessary.) Treat them kindly and they will prove to be very accurate (contrary to popular belief, too) and outlast their owners.

[yooper]

I'd have passed too. First look at the pic screamed "REBLUE". Cracked and repaired wrist, D&T for scope, the scope itself adds $0 - I wouldn't have taken a second look. Savage made LOTS of 1899's and 99's. No need to settle for a second rate gun. JMHO.
yooper

[TXGunNut]

Passed on two fairly clean 99's Sunday. Spent so much money last week I just couldn't get interested. One was a 99A in 358 for $999 but wood was pretty homely, pretty sure it was birch. Right next to it was a 99F in .308 with a pistol grip for $599 but it was a bit homely as well. Any other day I'd consider re-boring it but not that day. Can't recall last time I saw two 99's in a rack at the same time, was well over a year ago and both were pretty rough.

[blixen]

First, thanks for all the info.

Second, who says there’s no such thing as karma? I passed on that 30-30 and gave the gun-shop contact info and best wishes to a CB forum member who is interested in buying it long distance.


Yesterday, I walked into another gun shop at lunch to buy some powder and glanced through the used gun rack—several fine fire arms, including a 7-30 Waters Mod. 94 but outta my price range.


Then, a chorus of angels sang as I picked up a long-barreled rifle in the corner of the rack. A Savage 99, 300 Sav. in pristine condition, no D/T or swivels, perfect case hardening. I didn’t have a loupe and couldn’t read the boss code. A young clerk helpfully read it as “190.” (?)


I was terrified to look at the tag. But I did and that rifle is now mine!


When I got it home, I ran a patch through it—as white as an angel’s gown. The bore glistened like a halo. The cut checkering has one small ding. That boss code was poorly struck, but with an eye loupe I read it as “19 D”. 1952, which happens to be my year of birth.


One issue—the lever safety wouldn’t budge with thumb pressure. I squirted in some lube and give it a tap with my tiniest plastic hammer and got it going. Still tight, but I can thumb it.


The above makes me think this rifle simply was not used much. It has a little bit of gun rack wear in the bluing. But the case hardening is breathtaking.


BTW, I’m kind of a .300 Savage freak. I’ve got a Rem. 722 and a Arisaka chambered for it.

Sorry the pictures don't do the rifle justice.

[VA Jim]

Looks like waiting paid off. Very nice 99. Let us know how it shoots. I'm sure you will enjoy it.
Mine's a takedown and isn't near as pretty as yours, but it shoots well enough and I've taken several deer with it.

[TXGunNut]

Looks very much like the one I was lucky enough to stumble across last year. Congrats on a fine rifle!

[yooper]

Congratulations on a beaut !! That's a rifle any rifle owner, especially a Savage fan, would be proud to have in their collection. GREAT START!
John
yooper

[Artful]

Great find - congratulation indeed - now post us a picture of some targets!

[gnoahhh]

Man, talk about good Karma! You must be living right!

[blixen01]

...now post us a picture of some targets!

Loading some CBs now. Planning on starting with 16ish grains of 2400 and 18g of sr4759 under a Lee 175 FP sized to .310" and some Lee "SKS" 150 Gr. .311 pointies pushed by 7-8 grains of Red Dot (both tumble lubed 45/45/10) for the shake down.

[M-Tecs]

Blixen provided me the contact info but I decided to pass due to the apparent refinish.

[021]

Nice rifle. The Savage loonies dote on the .250, but the .300 is the best of the Savage rounds. Now take it hunting!!!

[TXGunNut]

NOE is offering a Ranch Dog designed mould for the 300 Savage. Haven't cast any yet but would be happy to cast a handful for you when I do if you'll drop me a PM.

[blixen]

Thanks for sharing y'all's knowledge and savvy on Sav. 99s. If this baby shoots half-decently (I already know it's got a heavy trigger), I'm saving my pennies for a Marble tang sight.

[Clark]

I have (5) Sav 99 rifles. I am not a knowledgeable collector.
But I did make a 6mmBR bull barrel for the take down, drilled and tapped for a scope, and it shot 0.2 moa

1969 .308 1965 inherited
1907 303Sav 2001 $78 and came with an old box of ammo
1918 250-3000 2004 take down $175
1904 30-30 2007 $560
1969 .308 99C 2008 $350
140199140198

[Geezer in NH]

Passed on two fairly clean 99's Sunday. Spent so much money last week I just couldn't get interested. One was a 99A in 358 for $999 but wood was pretty homely, pretty sure it was birch. Right next to it was a 99F in .308 with a pistol grip for $599 but it was a bit homely as well. Any other day I'd consider re-boring it but not that day. Can't recall last time I saw two 99's in a rack at the same time, was well over a year ago and both were pretty rough. 358 blew it!!!! no matter the wood

[richhodg66]

The .300 is a great round and not as problematic due to the short neck as it is made out to be. My 99EG shoots well with the 31141 and also the Ranchdog bullet despite having to seat them below the neck.

I own several 99s and love them, but the 99EG in .300 (like yours, not nearly as nice) is the slickest one. Points and handles splendidly. I have a Lyman peep sight on mine.

[TXGunNut]

358 blew it!!!! no matter the wood


Looked at it again today, just too much money for this particular gun IMHO. Can't overcome ugly wood, I'm afraid. Probably a mistake but I've made others. Bought an even uglier gun today but that's just the way I feel about stainless/composite rifles.

[LIMPINGJ]

I picked up several boxes of Remington 303 Savage with the idea to resell it but with the price of shipping it to a buyer. I am now looking for a nice 99 in 303 so I can use this ammo.

[TXGunNut]

I picked up several boxes of Remington 303 Savage with the idea to resell it but with the price of shipping it to a buyer. I am now looking for a nice 99 in 303 so I can use this ammo.


Good call, enjoy the quest!

[Geezer in NH]

First, thanks for all the info.

Second, who says there’s no such thing as karma? I passed on that 30-30 and gave the gun-shop contact info and best wishes to a CB forum member who is interested in buying it long distance.


Yesterday, I walked into another gun shop at lunch to buy some powder and glanced through the used gun rack—several fine fire arms, including a 7-30 Waters Mod. 94 but outta my price range.


Then, a chorus of angels sang as I picked up a long-barreled rifle in the corner of the rack. A Savage 99, 300 Sav. in pristine condition, no D/T or swivels, perfect case hardening. I didn’t have a loupe and couldn’t read the boss code. A young clerk helpfully read it as “190.” (?)


I was terrified to look at the tag. But I did and that rifle is now mine!


When I got it home, I ran a patch through it—as white as an angel’s gown. The bore glistened like a halo. The cut checkering has one small ding. That boss code was poorly struck, but with an eye loupe I read it as “19 D”. 1952, which happens to be my year of birth.


One issue—the lever safety wouldn’t budge with thumb pressure. I squirted in some lube and give it a tap with my tiniest plastic hammer and got it going. Still tight, but I can thumb it.


The above makes me think this rifle simply was not used much. It has a little bit of gun rack wear in the bluing. But the case hardening is breathtaking.


BTW, I’m kind of a .300 Savage freak. I’ve got a Rem. 722 and a Arisaka chambered for it.

Sorry the pictures don't do the rifle justice.
Great job!! See what can be learned here.

[wallenba]

I love 99's. I have an average grade 99 in 300 Savage that shoots excellent.
A few weeks ago, I found a take-down model in the Gun Library at Cabela's in Dundee Michigan. It is a .250-3000, and is absolutely gorgeous. Looked new, and the sticker was an astounding $1999.99. I never new any 99 could bring that kind of money.

And here it is... still http://www.cabelas.com/product/Gun-Library/Dundee-Gun-Library%7C/pc/103792680/c/105931080/Savage-Model-99-250-3000-SAV/1967692.uts?destination=%2Fcatalog%2Fbrowse%2Fdund ee-gun-library%2F_%2FN-1103645%2FNo-160%3FWTz_st%3DGuidedNav%26WTz_stype%3DGNP%26recor dsPerPage%3D40

[TXGunNut]

I love 99's. I have an average grade 99 in 300 Savage that shoots excellent.
A few weeks ago, I found a take-down model in the Gun Library at Cabela's in Dundee Michigan. It is a .250-3000, and is absolutely gorgeous. Looked new, and the sticker was an astounding $1999.99. I never new any 99 could bring that kind of money.

And here it is... still http://www.cabelas.com/product/Gun-Library/Dundee-Gun-Library%7C/pc/103792680/c/105931080/Savage-Model-99-250-3000-SAV/1967692.uts?destination=%2Fcatalog%2Fbrowse%2Fdund ee-gun-library%2F_%2FN-1103645%2FNo-160%3FWTz_st%3DGuidedNav%26WTz_stype%3DGNP%26recor dsPerPage%3D40


Price does seem a bit....ambitious. I bought a 95-98% 99 in 300 Savage from my local Library and it was quite reasonable IMHO. Manager here isn't a Savage fan and doesn't know much about them. Last two he put out were a fair bit higher in price but not out of reason. I think he's been reading up on the 99's, lol. I'm not very knowledgeable about the value of 99's, I'll only pay "shooter" prices but the one I lucked into was very nice. Maybe after that gun sits a bit they will reconsider the price. Only problem is that sometimes people pay silly money for a gun like that. I've had that conversation with the local manager and it happens more often than most folks would believe.

[blixen]

Now that I own a 99, I'm seeing them everywhere. I saw a commemorative Sav. 99 in .308, octagon barrel, etc. no box and fired for the same price as a well-worn 50s .300 Sav. I looked the commemorative up online and learned it is reviled by collectors, in part because it's tarted up and in .308. Looked solid to me if a little gaudy.

[jugulater]

my favorite pawnshop in town has 5 savage model 99s sitting on the rack, most have been there for years. i have been eyeballing one particular gun, it appears to be a standard model 99 with a straight grip, 26in barrel, no checkering, and chambered in .303 Savage. the finish is worn from use but the barrel is pristine. i think they had it priced somewhere near $650, but im sure i could get them to cut down the price. it's almost like the gun has been calling my name... i think I've finally gone nuts. Lol.

[blixen01]

I know that feeling. I'd love to find a .303 Sav. I'm a sucker for oddballs like .32 win. And the savage cartridges. Frankly, I think the savage 99s are mostly over priced by collector myths. People see the on auction sites for $1-$2k and the think even the *** ones are worth $600 minimum. IMHO a worn, run of the mill 99 is worth about $350. And I love 'em.

Collectors are paying top $ for rarities in excellent condition. 99s were made in a dizzying array of models and variations. That I've learned.

I just want to shoot 'em.

[jugulater]

I shot my first deer with my uncles Savage model 99 in 250-3000. before that hunting trip i doubted the abilities of the 250, I didn't think a 86 grain .25" bullet would do anything to a big West Virginia deer.

i was wrong. i spied a nice 8 point that was by the fence line about 200 yards away, and as soon as he showed his side to me i prayed and put one in his lungs. he dropped dead on the spot. that 86 grain bullet expanded to about 50 caliber and cut a impressive hole through the deer, it almost passed through, but the skin on the other side stopped it.

After that day i gained respect for both the Savage 99 and the 250-3000. Im sure $650 may be a bit steep for a 99, but i feel that its worth it.

as for for mint condition rarities; what fun is a good old gun if it ain't got some history and some honest wear?

[blixen]

as for for mint condition rarities; what fun is a good old gun if it ain't got some history and some honest wear?

agreed! I've got a win.94 '08 that had the tang braised back on by a blacksmith and the stock replaced at some point and at another point in history, the breech end of the barrel cut back and rechambered. I can only guess a horse fell on it while it was in the scabbard. It has an old Lyman peep on it and it will keep CBs in a 5" circle at 100 yards. With good light and my old peepers, I've done much better'n that. Love that ***.

[rintinglen]

If the money we are talking was real dollars, not Obama bucks, then I would agree that some of these are over priced. (Ok, 1999.99 is a bit unlikely) but I would gladly pay 500 for a decent 99 in 30-30, especially if it came with a peep sight installed. That's only 50 bucks...in REAL money.