One of a kind Savage 99

[ammohead]

I have been playing with this idea for about 7 years and finally got a "round tuit" and took the plunge. I made a switch barrel for my circa 1915 model 1899 takedown chambered in 264 LBC, better known as 6.5 grendel. It was at the limits of my talents, but I am proud to say that it came out great. I had to learn to turn square threads, grind my own single point cutter, buy a t-slot cutter for the extractor notch and top notch for the bolt. Then the barrel contour had to be turned to match the takedown forestock. It was quite the learnig experience with lots of pucker factor and gnashing of teeth.

I have just stared cast bullet work and she shows promise even with the 1 in 8" twist. 14 gr of sr4759 under a noe 125 gr bullet gave 1.670" 3 shot group and 1965 fps. I was surprised at the high velocity and will be going out soon with 12 - 13.5 gr. Off to a good start.

[ammohead]

I posted a short video on the Cast Boolits Forum facebook group page. I don't have hosting to do it here.

[MT Gianni]

Sounds like a great thing to have.

[pietro]

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I'm glad you made a satisfactory conversion - CONGRATS ! ! :2_high5:

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[quilbilly]

Hope you bring it to NCBS in May. I would like to put a round through it having not ever shot a 6.5 Grendel. Too bad you will be so proud of it that you can't take it out for antelope.

[MT Gianni]

Hope you bring it to NCBS in May. I would like to put a round through it having not ever shot a 6.5 Grendel. Too bad you will be so proud of it that you can't take it out for antelope.

Fixed it for ya.

[No_1]

I posted a short video on the Cast Boolits Forum facebook group page. I don't have hosting to do it here.

Very cool merge of old and new!

[Texas by God]

Was any bolt face work required for the smaller diameter case head? Or did the spool magazine work as was? What is the other barrel chambered for? Pics!

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G930A using Tapatalk

[MostlyLeverGuns]

Be careful with you loading, 'factory' 6.5 Grendel runs at much higher pressure than the cartridges the 1899 Savage made in 1915 was designed for and bolt thrust is greater based upon head diameters of the 303 Savage and 30-30. I hope your conversion is on a 250 Savage, 1915 was the first year for that, but still be careful.

[missionary5155]

If I could I would give a pat on the back and a well done in person.
I do enjoy individuals that know what they want and take the steps to accomplish it.
Admiral Rickover stated "Our doubts are traitors and make us loose the good we oft might win by failing to attempt".

[Dimner]

I would like to know more about this conversion.

I have a Savage 1899 in 303 Savage built in 1906. It is the take down model. The barrel isn't fully threaded, but has a quick unthread method, kinda like how those lee breechlock bushings work.

I have always wanted to find a smith or machinist that could make me a 38-55 barrel for it.

Then a 3rd barrel I would get would be 25-35 WCF. This would be a dream setup for me.

[ammohead]

It has been fun so far. It will be in Winnemucca this May for sure.

[ammohead]

If I draw a doe antelope tag this year the grendel will go hunting. So far 120 gr rem core lokt bullets @ 2500ish fps are showing fine hunting accuracy potential, as does 100 gr ballistic tips @ 2600+ fps. I have put 120 rounds down the barrel so far and it shows potential for 1.5 - 2 moa. Not bad for a takedown 99.

[ammohead]

Be careful with you loading, 'factory' 6.5 Grendel runs at much higher pressure than the cartridges the 1899 Savage made in 1915 was designed for and bolt thrust is greater based upon head diameters of the 303 Savage and 30-30. I hope your conversion is on a 250 Savage, 1915 was the first year for that, but still be careful.

It was originally a 250-3000. I have not noticed any pressure issues. Extraction stickyness is usually the first sign with a 99, and none of that so far. The .441 head diameter means more metal around the chamber than with the .473 head dia of the 250.

[ammohead]

I would like to know more about this conversion.

I have a Savage 1899 in 303 Savage built in 1906. It is the take down model. The barrel isn't fully threaded, but has a quick unthread method, kinda like how those lee breechlock bushings work.

I have always wanted to find a smith or machinist that could make me a 38-55 barrel for it.

Then a 3rd barrel I would get would be 25-35 WCF. This would be a dream setup for me.

IF you can find a smith that will do it for you be prepared to dig deep. I cannot imagine what amount of money I would charge to do this for someone else. And no, I would not do this for someone else. I did not make interrupted threads. The barrel threads all the way on and off.
I am sure the 25-35 would doable. You would have to modify the spool magazine for a 38-55 chambering.

[ammohead]

Was any bolt face work required for the smaller diameter case head? Or did the spool magazine work as was? What is the other barrel chambered for? Pics!

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G930A using Tapatalk

The bolt face is flat on a 99 with no recess, and the head dia is only .032" smaller so the extractor works fine. It gets sticky sometimes feeding into battery because the short case will come up before the firing pin gets pulled back. This mostly happens when I am loading single shot on the bench. From the magazine, not so much.

[Dimner]

IF you can find a smith that will do it for you be prepared to dig deep. I cannot imagine what amount of money I would charge to do this for someone else. And no, I would not do this for someone else. I did not make interrupted threads. The barrel threads all the way on and off.
I am sure the 25-35 would doable. You would have to modify the spool magazine for a 38-55 chambering.

yeah, IF I can find a smith is why I have never really pursued this. Also, because I don't really need those other chamberings :)

Someday I will learn how to do this myself. I have access to a lathe. Just need to learn.

[Texas by God]

Now you can see for yourself if the 6.5 Grendel is the equal of the .250 Savage. Some AR folks say it is, I sincerely doubt it.

[gnoahhh]

Very cool! Speaking as someone who has fitted barrels to these Savage takedowns I don't blame you for not wanting to take more on.

Which rotor did you use? Modified?

Which cartridge guide did you use, and did it pose any problems?

[skeettx]

NEAT and well done
Mike

[ammohead]

yeah, IF I can find a smith is why I have never really pursued this. Also, because I don't really need those other chamberings :)

Someday I will learn how to do this myself. I have access to a lathe. Just need to learn.

Any 25-35 or 38-55 from that era for a 99 would most likely screw right up. Keep looking, you never know. I found a 22 high power barrel.

[ammohead]

Very cool! Speaking as someone who has fitted barrels to these Savage takedowns I don't blame you for not wanting to take more on.

Which rotor did you use? Modified?

Which cartridge guide did you use, and did it pose any problems?

I am using all components as original from factory except the barrel of course. All shooting so far has been from the bench and one at a time. I might not trust the feeding in a dangerous game situation like cape buffalo or Kodiak bears, but then again 6.5 grendel might be a tad bit ambitious for that anyway. The biggest bugaboo that I have seen is the head wanting to come up when the firing pin is sticking out. A lever jiggle and it slides right in.

[ammohead]

Now you can see for yourself if the 6.5 Grendel is the equal of the .250 Savage. Some AR folks say it is, I sincerely doubt it.

Oh, sure it is. Gun writers never lie. 2700 fps with 100 gr bullets in a grendel is WAY better than 2800 fps in that ancient lever action Savage. And 6.5 creedmoor is 10 ten times better than a 6.5x55 swede. Never talk ballistics to AR guys, they think aluminum receivers make up for 8 inches of barrel length and flash hiders are a magical accuracy device.