Savage 99

[HoosierQ]

I really want a Savage 99. Always have. I'd like one with the rotary mag and with the tang sights. I want one of the classic Savage calibers too...250-3000 or 300.

What kind of shape are these old beauties in? I realize of course that that's a broad question...too broad. But I think I am seriously going to start looking around for one of these and I am just wondering what sort of things I should look for, watch out for, or not be worried about. I am not going to worry about some dings or wear on the bluing. I only wish to worry about the mechanics of the thing. I want one with a tang sight already on it because I don't want to try to find a gunsmith to put one on.

Any thoughts? I am in the "data gathering phase" of this thing so just about anything will be useful.

 

[Sav .250]

Good luck on your quest. They show up every now and again but be ready to fork over some coin.
Try the 24hourcampground site. Go to the Savage collector area. They speak...Sav 99. You`ll get schooled in a hurry.

Also look at the GunBroker site. search... Sav99. See what those puppies are going for. Get educated!

 

[Cosmoline]

There are some hard-core collectors out there and you really need to be on top of things to identify the myriad of styles and variations that came out over the years. Savage offered a lot of options.

If you're looking for a shooter I'd say keep an eye out for a post-war 99. These are a lot of fun but don't have the high sticker price or oddball chamberings of earlier models. You may also be able to find a reblued one that has less collector value. I had a 99E in .308 and loved it. Should never have sold it. It was a very fast shooter and very reliable. There's no question in my mind that, if I'd been drafted in the Great War, I would have been much happier with a 99 than a Springfield or Eddystone. It's a shame the prototype was rejected.

In my experience with the 99's, the vintage ones got used and used a lot. Pre-war hunters loved these rifles. I've seen many with bores nearly rendered smoothbore over the years. But by the 60's and 70's they seemed to get less attention and these later versions are often minty.

I have not tried reloading for the Savage cartridges, but it's not terribly difficult in most cases. So if you want to go that route it's an option.

 

[Abel]

Plan to spend $550 to $800 and on up depending on condition...Worth every penny. Here is a 1957 for sale:

http://www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbth...gonew/1/Savage_99_F_in_308_Win_For_Sal#UNREAD

Another that's gone already:

http://www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbth...7352541/gonew/1/SAVAGE_99F_300_SAV_F_S#UNREAD

 

[Savage99]

I always preferred my 99F for woods hunting since 1966. It's accurate, easy to carry and fast to operate.

Mine are the newer ones with the easy to use tang safeties.

While nostalgia may affect you it would make more sense to get a popular cartridge.

Some or all of the .250's had a 1-14" twist. I would avoid that.

Mine are .358's.

 

[Rom828]

I'm getting a 1956 vintage 99f in 308win. It's in good shape with a vintage USA made Weaver scope. Smokin' deal at $425 from a pawn shop. Keep your eyes open.

 

[Powerglide]

Holy

crap I let a 300 sav. 99E go years back for 200 bucks.Should kill myself now! It was like new.

 

[Abel]

crap I let a 300 sav. 99E go years back for 200 bucks.Should kill myself now! It was like new.

*As punishment for such a dumb mistake, go spend $800 on a cherry 99 or 1899. Hey, its a helluva lot better than killing yourself!

 

[redneck2]

I'm getting a 1956 vintage 99f in 308win. It's in good shape with a vintage USA made Weaver scope. Smokin' deal at $425 from a pawn shop. Keep your eyes open

I just got a REALLY nice 99 in .300 Savage about six months ago. Built April 1952. Blue is close to 100%, wood is probably 95%+. Bore looks like a mirror. Bought it at the LGS for $499.

From what I've seen, the value of a lot of the older wood and blued hunting type rifles and shotguns is slowly creeping downward. Less people can afford to or want to hunt.

How many twenty something guys want collections of pre-64 Winchester??? Yeah, there's some, but not like people my age (62) that remember dad or grandpa having one.

My dealer said he's keeping less and less hunting type stuff in stock. Gotta make room for tactical gear

 

[Cocked & Locked]

gone but not forgotten...303 Savage

I once had (sold 3 years ago) a model 1899 Savage made in 1912. The 1899 was prior to the 99 model...same thing basically. Mine was chambered for the long obsolete .303 Savage cartridge.

The .303 Savage cartridge is not the same as the .303 British...different critter all together. My rifle had the perch belly stock, brass magazine rotor with counter, cocked indicator, receiver sight I added, etc.

Factory ammo has not been manufactured since the late 1940's if my memory is right. Every few years Winchester continued to do a small run of new brass for hand loaders.

It was a fun rifle to deer hunt with and would do the job with no problems.

There is one letter designation of the 99 model that has a reputation for not being accurate. I'm not sure which one that is.

 

[SaxonPig]

Many models and calibers. I am old so I like old school rifles. Bagged this one a few months ago for $385 and added the tang sight. I like the straight stock and long barrel. really classic looking. Only problem with the 303 caliber is the dies are danged expensive.

 

[redneck2]

A few years ago these would have approached $1,000. Not so much any more. I think if you look long/hard enough you'll find one and your price.

 

[tahoe2]

99 in 300 Savage

Mine was made in 1951 in 300 Savage, very accurate and in really great shape.
I have seen some used ones as low as $350 to $500 for well used and $600 to $1200 for gently used to perfect,
but there almost always is at least 1 at one of the three LGS in my area.

 

[Powerglide]

As an alternative to suicide for my mistake, I think I will look for another.Wonder what they would cost if made new today with that type of hand-work.Prolly what, 3500?