Any Savage lever gun fans???

[218bee]

I understand this area has mostly posts on Marlin and Winchesters and copies there of and I understand that due to the nostalgia and popularity of these and the quantity that has been and is still being made. I've presently got 4 Marlins and one Winny in my safe now.
But the reason I thought I'd throw this topic out is I've always thought a nice Savage 99 would be fun to play with. What cal???.....well a 250 would be a nice one....and the 300 Savage has accounted for a ton of deer...358 hell ya why not...22 Hi-Power I see some issues there...they made some 375 Win and 308 but those don't interest me much.......guess if I were to get one I want some age to it. Anyway don't mind my ramblings this morning but would enjoy hearing from all you 99 shooters out there and would like to see some pics and your thoughts on the "other" classic lever action.

[atr]

I have a Savage 99C in 308Win....shoots ok,,,not a tack driver but most certainly good enough for deer/bear out to 200yards...easy to carry in the woods.
I agree, I think a 250 would be an interesting rifle to add to the collection. And some of the older Savage levers had really nice checkering on the wood.

[Bret4207]

I have a 99C 308, a 99A 303 and a 99A 25-35 junker. I'd like to get dozens more but availability and $$$ prevent that.

[Dan Cash]

My battery includes a .300 and a .250-3000 EG. The .250 is a MOA or tiny bit under rifle and the .300 is ok at 1.5 to 2 MOA. I love them both but sure wish the triggers were better. My eye is out for a .22 highpower with a good bore.

[.45Cole]

There is a great bore and shooter grade appearance .250 here in Greeley for $450, but I promised myself no more guns (not including .22's):sad:

[ammohead]

I have 2 350-3000s. One is an old take down that has seen it's years. I also have a take down bbl in 22 hi power that works to make it a switch gun. The other 250 has a 24" bbl with a wide flat forestock...(varmint version?) I have only seen one other like it at the big Reno show a couple of years ago with a $1600 price tag on it so evidently they are rare. I have my dads 300 from the gold trigger era. It is a shooter with lighter bullets. 130 gr triple shocks really perform well. Recently I picked up a 99f in 284 Win. It had some buttstock bedding issues. I haven't shot it since glass bedding it. It showed signs of wanting to group, especially with light cast loads. I hope the glass bedding does the trick.

Next I have my eye on a 25-35 at a pawn shop near by. I hope it is still there when I start work again.

[Old Ironsights]

The first Rifle I ever blooded was a 99E in .308.

Still one of my favorite rifles even though I don't have one. Want one in .308 TD...

[Potsy]

I'd love to have one, and will someday.
A couple of weeks ago there was an older .300 at Bud's in Paris KY, I put it down and backed away slowly.

The interesting thing about the 99 is how modern a rifle it is. Easy scope mounting, an indicator telling you how many rounds you have left, accuracy that at least matched anything else in it's day, fast follow up shots, all in a wonderfully balanced and pointable lever gun.

I read where Arthur Savage submitted it to the army, buy they wanted a Mauser based bolt gun. I wonder if they were any better off with '03 Springfields.

[Baron von Trollwhack]

My old Savage .303 featherweight takedown was a thoroughly enjoyable rifle. Made in 1914, there's no telling the game it took. For me is was a superior iron-sighted deer rifle I used with 180 grain jacketed roundnose bullets. BvT

[Old Ironsights]

As is often stated, the biggest problem with a levergun - any levergun - in Warfare, particularly "crawl-in-the-dirt" type is you can operate a Bolt while lower to the ground...

Now, what with 30rd mags, that is really a non-issue, but then it was important.

[C A Plater]

I've managed to acquire two so far, a 50's vintage .250 and a 1918 take down in .30-30. The .250 favors the 87 over the 100 grain and both have Redfield aperture sights. I've hesitated and lost on the opportunity to get one in .375 and another in .300. I wish Savage would bring them back.

[Uncle R.]

Wisconsin is a big deer hunting state, but 99s are rarely seen here for some reason. I'd guess the Winchesters and Marlins outnumber 99s 100-to-1. I finally got my first chance to shoot a 99 just last year - a .300 from circa 1950. I liked it - fairly accurate - fairly good trigger - very trim and handy. The caliber is ideal for a lightweight brush gun, enough power and accuracy for 200 yard shots or even more and easy on the shoulder. They say it's tough on reloaders though - something about sharp shoulder, short neck and rear locking action is supposed to give trouble.
[smilie=1:
I'd love to have one in .358 as a cast boolit hunting rifle, but they're awfully pricey and scarce here.

[schutzen]

Never ever, ever buy a Savage 99 in 250-3000! They are addictive. I bought one for my sons to begin deer hunting with. They are now 26 & 28. Dad still shoots the 250 Savage, because it is fun!

[6.5 mike]

Had a 250 & a hi power, let both get away like a fool. Only one I have now is a 303.
Sure would like to find one in 32-40. For sum reason I 've got it in my head I have to
have a 32-40.

[gnoahhh]

Now we're talking! I have a "few" 99's under my wing right now. As far as I'm concerned it is one of the best designed rifles ever built. The "pre-mils" (pre million serial #, circa 1960) are the most desirable from a user/collector standpoint. Without going into a lot of detail, think pre- vs. post- '64 Winchester. All milled parts and hand fitting vs. stampings, pressed checkering, etc. They all shoot though, if you do your part.

I try to focus on early Model 1899 Takedowns. The last ones built right before WWII. Most built before 1930.

As far as calibers, they're all fun. .250's, if pre-mil, will require bullets under 100gr. Slow twist is to blame. After 1960 or thereabouts they went to a faster twist to stabilize 100 grainers. If a 99 has a good bore, chances are it'll shoot very well.

My favorite at the moment is a 1912 vintage takedown in .22 HiPower with an excellent bore. Sights are a Lyman 30 1/2 tang sight (windage capable) and gold bead front. The gold bead came from my old wedding band. (Finally found a good use for it!) Accuracy with select jacketed stuff is 1 1/2 MOA. Not bad for iron sights and middle aged eyes! Cast bullets group very nearly as well. 60 grain Ideal 228367 over 6.0gr. Unique gives me 3/4" groups at 50, and sometimes 75yds. Finding .227/.228" jacketed bullets can be a pain, but I do ok. I've used it exclusively for deer the past two seasons.

One last thing, Savage used a 1-12" twist in the HiPowers which was fine for the 70 gr. roundnoses they used back in the day. Current .227 70 grainers (Hornady being the big offender) are long spitzers and don't stabilize perfectly in that slow twist. I make file trim dies to shave .1" off (losing only 2 gr. weight) and get astounding accuracy from an otherwise mediocre bullet. (Any HiPower shooters out there want to know more, PM me.)

My current project is a custom 1899 Takedown in .32/40, being built from scratch from a 1913 vintage action I picked up at a gunshow. If money holds out I'll have more barrels fitted to it- stuff like .25/35, .30/30, .303 Savage, etc. Limiting factor is the magazine rotor. It'll handle the .30/30 class of cases but not the .476 rim diameters of the .250, .300, .308, etc.

Sorry to be so long winded!

Gary

[HeavyMetal]

About 5 yrs ago I made a deal with a local fire captain for a 99-F in 308 first yr production!

Great wood as most post war guns had pretty plain wood on them. It also has a Williams foolproof on it figured for 400 I couldn't go wrong.

Shoots great but we have not hunted yet. In time we will. I'd have others but most are way over priced, saw a 1966 243 tang safty 99 that wouldn't open after you dropped the hammer on it, priced at 625.00!

I left the shop laughing and for all I know he still has it!

If he'd taken an offer I made I would have turned it into a 250 which I have my eye out for if I can find one at the right price.

Nice idea this 99 thread.

[Curtis44]

I have a vintage 1913 1899 in 25/35 Ackley that started out life as a 22 HP. Had it rebored by RG West of Oregon. Shoots like a dream with CB's or the hornaday 117 gr rn. I also have a 1923 vintage 303 Savage. It shoots the Lyman 311291 and 311041 equally well. Several deer have fallen to HP'ed 311041's. When you look at these old rifles the workmanship is amazing for a mass produced item. The front sight bases are actually part of the barrel, machined to shape as the barrel blank was turned down! Not screwed or sweated on.

[Old Ironsights]

FWIW, I'm also a Savage PUMP fan. Love the 170 .30-30...

[6.5 mike]

Mine dates to 1913. Some fool inletted a brass patch box in it, I looked at this gun about 4 years at shows & figured it needed a good home. Like I posted on the pp section the bores real dark but no cleaning rod wear at the muzzle.
One of the older fellas at the range I shoot at calls them elegant, really are with no
tubes, bands, or other junk hanging off. Winny's & marlin's are alright, but the 99
has a so much better feel to it. IMHO.
I think the old boy's like it when I show up, the're never sure what I might pull out
of a rifle case.

[Dan Cash]

....................... They say it's tough on reloaders though - something about sharp shoulder, short neck and rear locking action is supposed to give trouble.
[smilie=1:
I'd love to have one in .358 as a cast boolit hunting rifle, but they're awfully pricey and scarce here.

I have never owned a factory loaded .300 cartridge. It reloads like any other case. I have not tried cast yet and that may be a different ball of wax
Dan

[Bret4207]

Short necked cartridges just need a bit more attention to boolit runout is all. The rear locking action is no big deal, especially with cast and good brass. If you hotrod a 99, particularly the earlier ones, the cases will grow, yes. But they grow in bolt guns too. Moderate, common sense loads will have your brass lasting a long time, same as any other gun. Neck sizing helps and so do all the other standard tricks for making brass last.

[Hardcast416taylor]

I`ve got an `99 in .300 Sav. that reportedly owned by Brace Breemer, the radio Lone Ranger. It is a take down model that seems to prefer 150 gr. Rn "J" ammo. Kind of wish I could get documented evidence about its previous owner. Robert

[Pepe Ray]

I'm gonna make you collectors scream. Love it! [smilie=1:

I've got a M99 in 260 Rem with a fast twist bbl and will handle and shoot the 160 gr. Hornady. :twisted:
Pepe Ray

[Old Ironsights]

Some info on the rebirth of the 99...

http://levergunscommunity.com/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=17797

[Johnw...ski]

I have had Savage Model 99's in 22HP, 250-3000, several 300 Savages, 303 Savage, 30-30, and 308. Still have the 303 Savage, a take down with 26" barrel that I have yet to shoot. A 300 Savage, with a 24" barrel and lyman receiver peep that shoot quite well. A 30-30, with a 22" octagonal barrel and tang post peep sight, the barrel bore is somewhat pitted but it still shoots lead OK (around 4" at 100 yds.). And lastly a newer 99 in 308, since it was newer I didn't mind modifying it to make a light hunting rifle. I cut the barrel down to 18" and whittled the fore end down with a snabble to match all my older 99's, also I thinned down the butt stock and removed that goofy impressed checkering. It wears Leupold 3-9 scope and shoots 165 gr. J bullets quite well (a bit over an inch at 100 yds.).

I really like the "look" of the 99's and the rotary magazines can't be beat.

John

[atr]

just curious because Ive found two savage levers,,,a 308 and a 303....reasonably good condition...what are they worth???

[freedom475]

I have a 99F in 284win....it was my first hunting rifle....Retired now just cause it took the challenge and sport out of hunting:mrgreen::mrgreen: Love it.
My dad bought it new I think and when I turned 11 I wanted a lever action to hunt with so he gave it to me.

[shotman]

I got a 25-35 about 30yrs back its the brass mag and a 26in barrel. Has a rear tang peep. It was reblued sometime in its past but was a good job . Bore is mint. I was surprized that they would shoot good at 300yds {1in} No the gun club has a 24in gong at 300 and I was on it about every shot. I have a 30-30 and it does good too

[Bret4207]

just curious because Ive found two savage levers,,,a 308 and a 303....reasonably good condition...what are they worth???

I'd say an average price would start around $350.00 for either. Condition and exactly what they are may make then $175.00 guns (rare that you can find one that cheap!) or $5000.00 guns (extremely rare!!!).

[218bee]

Well I am glad about all the responses here and now I really want to try one at least.....whats a good reference book to do some research on these??? I see different model #'s and such mentioned and don't know what they mean.

[sav300]

Hi 218bee,a gent by the name of Murray put out a book about 99`s.
I have several 99`s.Some are shooters and some are not.Shooters=Have a 250-3000 + 300sav in fixed and a takedown,post million 243 and a 358.A 1904 hex 303sav.

Not shooters are a 22hp with a worn barrel and a src 303sav rechambered to 303 british,which I found out the hard way! Fired a 303sav and got in return a straight sides case.

Am rebuilding a 250-3000 into a 22-250 as the 250 barrel is shot out.

[BarryinIN]

Well I am glad about all the responses here and now I really want to try one at least.....whats a good reference book to do some research on these??? I see different model #'s and such mentioned and don't know what they mean.

I guess "the" book would be "The Ninety-Nine" by D.P. Murray. It is kind small and plain looking (about 9x6 with a plain brown cover) but it does the job. It covers the history and development of the rifle AND the Savage cartridges, and breaks down all the models. I think the newest printing is about 1983, so it won't cover anything after that, but that wouldn't leave much out.

Although I've admired them, I just got a Savage 99 this past winter- a 99G takedown in .300 Savage made in 1927.

I've taken it along on almost every range trip since getting it, and I'm still surprised with it's accuracy.
I have yet to shoot cast in it since I just started casting and don't have any moulds that really work with the short neck of the .300, but every bullet I've tried shoots right at an inch. That may not sound so great against a gee-whiz bolt action, but it impressed me for an 80+ year-old barrel on a takedown lever action with a 4x scope.

[lead Foot]

Hey old Ironsights I have a Savage 170 Too.Shoots well. Chasing pigs in the 4x4 one day I Hit a pot hole and the gun flew out the window and broke. To make it worse it hit me in the chops on the way out. I glued back together and it's still going strong.
Lead foot;

[Old Ironsights]

I thought they prohibited slide actions in Oz... Good on ya if you got to keep it though.

[gnoahhh]

Anyone out there have a shot out barrel for a 99 takedown? I have another project in mind for sometime down the road- a .35/30 strictly for shooting cast.

[9.3X62AL]

Only one Savage 1899 in the herd presently, a 1930 example in 250-3000. It has a Marble's tang sight on board, and will do good things downrange if I do my part on the steering end. It is among my favorite cast boolit rifles, which is 95% of its use.

[lead Foot]

Old Ironsights:The guns that are banned in oz are = auto and pump shot guns,auto center fire and rim fire. Center fire pumps ok. Though you can get the prohibited guns with a special licence. As far as concealable firearms go you can have autos and wheels but not less than a 4" barrel also 40 cal and above are restricted (silhouette only). The Australian government says we citizens can't trusted to have autos.:( So we gotta enjoy the rest while we can.
lead foot; :drinks:

[.357]

i love my 99 in .300 however the thread referenced early ( http://levergunscommunity.com/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=17797 ) sixth post down talked about the chance of savage coming out with an short action and one in .22 hornet. I would be all over that Rifle if I had to sell my I teeth for one.

[Four Fingers of Death]

Saw a nice 30/30 a few years ago, when I had the money, he couldn't come up with a price. When he came up with a price, I was strapped for cash :(

[lentuk]

I have 4, all in .300 Savage, a 1932 RS, a 1930 G take down and two 1950 EGs that have been hunted with hard.
http://i336.photobucket.com/albums/n358/longbowman/IMG_0256.jpg
http://i336.photobucket.com/albums/n358/longbowman/IMG_0274.jpg

[Bret4207]

Gorgeous! You're a lucky man.

[BarryinIN]

You are indeed a lucky dog, lentuk.

I have near twin to the one in the top picture on the right.

[TDC]

Very interesting thread.....

I just happened across this thread and you guys got my curiosity up.

I acquired a Savage 99 when my father died. I'm a single shot (Ruger) and bolt action fan and haven't used the 99 much. My father used the gun twice to hunt with and didn't have any luck. When I got the gun I "drew it's first blood" by shooting a black bear with it. It hasn't been used since.

The rifle was given to my dad as a gift sometime, if memory serves me, in the early sixties. I remember him saying he thought it was the first year the .308 was produced in the 99. The rifle isn't for sale but I'm curious what you guys would estimate its worth. The serial number is 937602. The caliber is .308. It was hand checkered. Where the action meets the barrel it states "Savage 99' with no letter. It has fairly nice fiddle-back walnut wood and the rifle is at least 95-98% (a few usage marks on the levers case hardening).

The gun currently does no better than a 3" MOA but it is completely factory using factory J word ammo. I haven't worked with it but I'm sure it could do much better with some stock work and hand-loads. Any special advice for accuracy for this gun with this caliber?

Thanks!

TDC

[Bret4207]

Value I can't even guess on anymore. Anywhere from $350.00 to $5000.00. All depends on exactly what you have. Try a google search for "Savage Rifle Collectors" or ...Value".

As far as accuracy goes you essentially have a brand new rifle. No telling if the barrel has ever been cleaned or if it has nay machining marks to cause issues. Mine likes the Sierra 165 Game King and 4064. Check the muzzle and make sure the stock is tight. The forearm can be glass bedded to help grouping a bit. Other than that you'll need to get some shooting done to smooth the barrel and see what she'll do.

[lentuk]

Your Savage 99 in .308 is the last of what is considered the real good ones, anything made after serial number one million just did not have the same quality as the earlier ones, and some at the end of production where made in Spain.
The two best places for information on the Savage 99 are the book, A history of the Savage model 99 rifle by D P Murray and here;
http://www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/forums/40/1/Savage_Collectors

[Gadzooks Mike]

I have a 99A in 303 that was produced in 1926. Now here's the cool part - it was given to me by the original purchaser when I was a young lad of 5. My dad used it until I grew into it, of course. No sense in letting a good gun lay around!