Looking for some ideas for Savage 99

[Boox]

I'm picking up a .243 Savage 99 tomorrow and I'll be getting a couple of boxes of ammo to play with and test. What I'm wondering is;

1. anything special to know about the '99. It is a late 60's vintage DL with monte carlo stock and the rotary magazine.

2. What weight bullet and what brand is your favorite factory load. Deer opens the 24th here in NY, so not a lot of time for cooking up a reload.

3. As far as that goes, I will be loading for coyotes and deer after this season is over so I am also interested in other favorite loads.

As for me, I'm a retired curmudgeon, sitting on the banks of the St. Lawrence River watching the ships go by when I'm not tinkering or off shooting some of my favorite firearms.

TIA,
Boox

 

[NCsmitty]

Welcome to THR, Boox.

Congratulations on your new old Savage 99. They are a wonderful rifle. I had one years ago in 250 Savage.
The only thing that I'll mention, if do reload for it, care needs to be taken to not stress the action with high pressure loads. The action will stretch the brass, and eventually you'll end up with case head separation.
If you feed it factory ammo, it should be fine. 95-100gr for deer, and whatever light bullet load for varmints.
Enjoy.


NCsmitty

 

[Cosmoline]

Welcome to THR! The 99 is one of the great rifles. The action is among the strongest of all lever actions, and a real step up from earlier designs. In many ways it is the ultimate levergun. Fast in the hand, very well balanced, easy to tote, and yet able to fire modern bullets and high-pressure cartridges. The only maintenance issues I've seen with them have come up with abused takedown models.

They can mount a scope but to me they're perfect with an aperture rear and sourdough front. Finding aftermarket sights for them is pretty easy.

There's a collector's forum specializing in 99's over on 24 hour campfire. You can google it pretty easily. Those guys know a lot about the "rats"

 

[qajaq59]

I have a Savage 99 of 50s vintage in .308 and I love it. It'll handles a good load, it shoots accurately, and is fast if you need a second shot. It's a lever action in a league by itself.

 

[something vague]

I load for a .300 Savage 99 and trust this rifle more than any other firearm i've handled. Not only is the rifle a beauty but I love loading this caliber. To me this is the original .308 and can do just as well as it here in the Maine woods killing whitetail. I don't load super hot cartidges in this rifle as it is a family heirloom that has been handed down a few generations and do not want to put unneccesary abuse on it. I'm sure it could handle it but just don't have the need. This thing is a tank. This my friends is the true all American rifle that was leaps ahead of it's time.

 

[rcmodel]

The action will stretch the brass, and eventually you'll end up with case head separation.

+1 on that.

Brass will not last as long as a front locking bolt action.
If you load near max loads, brass life will be short due to action stretching.

Best get yourself a bent paper-clip and learn to feel inside the cases for a stretch ring.

rc

 

[Kernel]

H4350 is a good "one powder" solution for the .243 Win. It works well with both light & heavy bullets.

Have fondled many a Savage 99 at gunshows & used gun racks over the years. It's on my wish list, but as yet, one hasn't followed me home. Enjoy.