Rifle & Savage Model 99 Caliber choice, SE whitetail/hog

[robert .franklinton]

Looking to purchase my first hunting rifle and would like some words of wisdom on either my choices or caliber preference of the Savage Model 99 for hunting in the southeast for whitetail and hog.

Savage Model 99 (300 Savage or .250-3000)
Marlin Model 336SS (only in .30-30)
Henry Lever .30-30 Rifle H009B

 

[Almond27]

I would definitely chose the Marlin Model 336SS .30-30 will do it all here in TN for whitetail and hog.

 

[SwampWolf]

If you can find one-and afford it if you do, a 99 chambered in .358 Winchester would be a perfect whitetail/hog/black bear set-up.

 

[robert .franklinton]

thanks

for your input

 

[rangerruck]

of course, and without a doubt , the savage is better than a lever. Now then, it is a matter of caliber. Remmy still makes a factory 300 savage loading,
, and would be worth some decent money to get one in origional, and nice condition. The 243 is worth the most of all, especially if it has a lever safety switch. and of course it comes in a variety of other cals, all of which you really could not do bad with. I'll take a 243 for hogs and deer, since that is allready my cal of choice with which to do these with.

 

[Bearhands]

of course, and without a doubt , the savage is better than a lever.

I believe the Savage 99 IS a lever. That being said, all of your choices are good ones, the Marlin would be my choice just because I like em If you like a SS gun go for it but any of the 336's are quite nice.

 

[Almond27]

I chose the marlin for durability, ammo selection and ease of carrying. Now I can't say I have ever carried a Savage 99. You can go to just about anywhere that sells ammo and they will have .30-30 you can't do that with .300 savage. In the southeast there is alot of what I call "woods hunting" you're not taking 300 yard shots most shots are 200 yards or less which .30-30 can handle with no issues. IMO

 

[phantomak47]

Savage 99 in .300 savage.

You will have an all around rifle that is good up to Elk with heavier bullets, 150s for deer/hogs. The rifle shoots pointed bullets at longer ranges than the 30-30 and its a woods gun and field rifle, I used mine for this in Alabama and Miss when deer hunting. Remember the .300 savage is practically a .308 (its the parent cartridge of sorts for the .308), you cant go wrong.

 

[trstafford]

All of the above

 

[rbernie]

Marlin in 30/30.

 

[rangerruck]

your right , it is a lever, but it is a mag fed type, like a bolt, not tube fed, like most other levers. So with this , you can have nice pointy, long bullet carts in them, without worrying about explody in the tube.

 

[Art Eatman]

I'd prefer a 99 in .308 to one in .300 Savage, unless the .300 is all that's available. Better choices in factory loadings.

 

[hinton03]

I like my 99 in 250-3000 but a little light for hogs. Go with the 300 savage.

 

[robert .franklinton]

Great suggestions!

I was a little bummed but thankful for the limited amount of input i got for my decision out the gate but then checked back. Thank you to everyone for the discussion. I doubt i would be taking a shot further than 200 yards ethical or not due to the terrain.

I am partial to the history and "cleverness for the time" of the savage 99 regarding the lever action, which i love, rotary magazine but i was concerned the 250/3000 might not be ethical for poking holes in hogs.

thanks again for everyone's contributions and please feel free to continue the discussion. I don't think i can loose with any of the choices if i can pick the correct caliber.

 

[robert .franklinton]

Showing my green horns

Actually have on last topic open for suggestions. I've had several people in this thread suggest the savage 99 but in 4 different calibers (.300, .308, .358, .250/3000). Can you shed some light on the avalability & effectiveness for my application. I do not handload but do support local gun shows. I can look at statistical graphs till i'm blue in the face but would like some real world opinions. Up until now i have my CCW and just play around in the pastures with my handgun and mauser from time to time.

 

[Clipper]

The .308 is easiest to find ammo for, but everyone and their pet airedale has one, which is a big turn-off to me. the others are still available, though you won't find 'em at Wally World, but any decently stocked gunshop should have 'em. If all else fails, you'd have plenty of time to order some. My wife has the .300, and the .250 is more my style, but I could see wanting the .358 to put hogs down with authority. And the Savage has something I just don't see in the Marlin: Style.

 

[FredT]

M 99 in .300 or .308. They are fairly equal in performance, fairly easy to find on the shelves, albeit .308 easiest. .300 SAV was one of the original chamberings. If ya find a nice clean one, you will be real proud of it.

 

[Pine Cone]

Savage 99 in .300 Savage.

Best carrying rifle I own. Limited factory ammo choices, unlimited reload choices.

Marlin 336 as the second choice, everyone should own at least one or two...

 

[Almond27]

If you don't reload I would go for the 99 in .308, ammo for it will be carried just about anywhere that carries ammo. Let us know what ya get.

 

[rangerruck]

don't forget a 243 as well, plenty for hogs, lots of ammo, and it is also the most valuable of all the 99's. I wouldn't pass up a 300 or a 308 either, 300 savage is still made factory by remmy and other folks...

 

[Gordon]

.308 99F from the 50s or 60s is the ultimate. The quality on 99s went down in the 70s, but were still OK to about early 80s.

 

[JonB]

Tough call. I have a Savage 99e in .243 that works very well on all kinds of deer and antelope. I haven't hunted hogs yet, but hope to someday. Tough call between the 99 and the Marlin as both will do the job.

 

[RandyB]

Gordon I am jealous. Those are nice 99's. I would want one of them. I currently own a 336 in 30-30 and love it, but those savages are sweetness.

 

[Gordon]

Top is ol 1927 .250-3000 that was used in Monterey Co. to kill piles of game since then until I bought it for $200 in the early 80s. Has the big Redfield erector sight.
Middle gun is the sweetest 99 I have ever seen: a 1958 .308 Winchester 99F with a rare see under scope mount and a clear old POST Lyman All American Perma Center 4x- about perfect all around for deer and hogs to 300 yards !
Bottom gun is a super rare (because of caliber) 1975 .358 Winhester octagon Barrel 1895 comm. I put that Redfield mount with Pop up peep sight and quick detach rings on it with a good early Burris 3x with a MOA dot and cross hair. a HOG blaster for sure!

 

[rbernie]

I used to be a big Savage 99 fan. I've had close to a dozen; still have a couple of F models in 308 and an A model (I think - I'd have to look) in 243.

I'd still choose a 30/30 or 35 Remington for most all of the hunting that I do (on foot, shots under 200 yards, game up to 500lbs). I think that the Marlin's carry better than the Savage 99 due to the narrower receiver, and I can get a scout setup on the Marlins that I cannot on the Savage. I also prefer the reduced blast and drama of the lower pressure rounds.