Questions from a Savage 99 Newbie

[bushmaster1313]

Shooting left hand, lever guns are the way to go for me.

How do I identify a Savage 99 with the quality, attractiveness and modern metallurgy of a Winchester Model 88 from the 1950's

What do the letters mean, e.g., 99C, 99E?

What should I expect to see in an excellent 99 from the 1950's?

Did they come in different grades?

What's the scoop on rotary vs. box magazine?

Thank you

 

[rbernie]

From memory, and subject to correction:

E model is the Economy model (sans round counter and using a aluminum spool)
A model is the sporter weight unit with a straight grip (?)
C model is the sporter with a pistol grip (?)
F model is the lightweight model with a pistol grip
Series A uses the drop magazine in place of the rotary spool (?)

Savage hit the one mil serial number mark in 1961, and that's pretty much the dividing line between 'the good old days' and the start of subsequent redesigns. The 1961 redesign most notably modified the trigger group and moved the safety from the lever to the upper tang. Most of mine were post-'61 F and E models, so that's pretty much what I know about...

I had one box magazine Savage 99 briefly, and quickly sold it - it just isn't the same rifle without the rotary magazine and solid bottom receiver.

 

[Chuck Dye]

I cannot answer your questions, but when I shopped Model 99s for the honorary nephew, a southpaw who has since acquired a left handed Savage 110, I was repeatedly told to look for a 99 with a tang mounted safety. No doubt someone will be along shortly to tell you which specific model to look for.

 

[BrocLuno]

I have an E in 308 and it's one of my favorite rifles. They come in all grades including presentation and take down. Anywhere from truck gun beaters to $25,000 museum grades. Early ones came with round or octagonal barrels. They are one of the best lever guns ever built

http://www.savage99.com/ You'll soon get the hang of these.

Either magazine will work, but the rotary made them part of what they are. BUT, it takes a bit of knowledge and skill to completely disassemble and reassemble. Go slow and be very careful. Once put together right and lubed correctly, they will run for years without a hitch.

That's my shootin buddy with mine at the range. That group was about 1.5" without trying real hard

 

[Sav .250]

Try the 24hourcampfire.com ..........Savage Collectors for all things about the Savage 99. The Savage Collector site covers everything you ever wanted to know about the "99."

 

[hawkeye10]

Hey Bush! I can't answer your question about the Savage 99 but I can say one thing. "I sure would like to have one" I was watching a Clint Eastwood movie last week it was the one about the bad guys hiring him to track a Mexican. One of the bad guys had a 99 and it looked great. The bolt was jeweled and the stock was awesome. Don

 

[Son of the Gael]

Right here:

http://www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/forums/40/1/Savage_Collectors

Bought my first 99 last year, being left-handed also, I like the post-mils which have the tang safety. These are not prized by collectors, but can still be great shooters, mine certainly is. 99's are just a marvel of design and function, I'm amazed at mine every time I take it out. I really don't think a Winchester 88 is in the same class as the pre-mil 99's, although they are nice.

A rifle from the 50's will have the lever safety, brass spool and generally better workmanship/wood/etc. Post-mils usually have the aluminum spool or clip (99C), tang safety (except the 99E), and often poorer wood and pressed checkering.

You need Murray's book to sort out the model letters.