Savage 99

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redneck2

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Made the mistake of looking around the LGS today. They have a 99 built in 1917. 250-3000. Schnabel fore end. Flip up tang sight. Looks almost new.

Problem is, I don't have the $925. Might be a little high, but this thing is pristine.
 
Beware of take-down models that old.

Most have excess headspace by now, and there is no repairing them economically.

rc
 
I can not speak of head space issues, but the one I have hiding in the safe, the same age, is a wonderful rifle. I don't shoot if too often, but sure is fun when I do. The 99 is a great rifle, small and handy, and with the right caliber, a wonderful hunting rifle. First deer, 300 savage mod 99. :) Other then taking a few pop shots at a few coyotes, I haven't taken any game with the old 250-3000, but my father did take a cow elk with it once, not the best elk gun, but back then food on the table was #1 job.
 
You might heed rc's advise, he's usually spot on ! I have a '99 in the .300 and .250 calibers, both were my Pop's rifles. The .300 is still a strong shooter, has gotten older, but still puts 'em in the 10 ring. The .250 is a super shooter, especially with 87 gr. bullets, a pleasure to shoot.

You might check and see if they'll budge on the price, might be a bit high, just don't get stung on the buy, good luck.
 
Since I am not a collector I would pass on that rifle.

The 250's then had 1-14" twists, too slow for heavy bullets, the rifle is not drilled and tapped for a scope, has that old lever safety and the cartridge is a little big for chucks and too small for game.

I like the newer 99's in bigger calibers.
 
Little high in price. You can adjust the head space on a TD IF everything is still right, but usually isn't in a 100 year old gun.The .250 is a wonderful caliber but today is difficult to find ammo. I is easy to expand the neck on .22-250 in a sizing die.
 
I have a really nice one in .300 Savage I got about a year ago. This one just seemed like a nice addition. Really don't have a use for it, so unless I fall into some extra money it's not gonna happen. Just unusual to see a hundred year old hunting rifle rifle in probably 90-95% condition. Hasn't been re-blued or refinished.
 
I have one made in the 40's chambered in a .358 Winchester. Amazingly smooth action. This thing kicks like a mule. I didn't realize a .358 had
so much stomp to it.
 
Redneck...if you end up passing on it can you tell me the location. Might be close enough for me to go look at...if not no big deal...

I really like the old 99's and 1899's..I have a few handed down.
 
Great cal. When it comes to the "99" it`s almost a sellers market.

The supply is what it is. More folks buying them up to use or collect.

Hard to find in a lot of sections of the country.

You pass due to a money shortage but you can bet someone else will jump on it!

Way before their time in function and design.
 
Sav99takedown6mmBRa.jpg

3ShotgroupAt50y6mmBRtext.jpg

8-22-2004 I saw a 1917 or 1918 Sav 99 250-3000 take down for $200 on a gun show table. I offered $175 and got it.
Under the barrel I found a very thin metal shim someone had added to get the barrel to lock up tight.

I got a Shilen 6mmPPC 21", 5 pound, 14" twist take off barrel from Ebay for $75 + $12 shipping.

I cut Sav 99 threads and Sav 99 breech releif cuts. I cut a 6mmBR chamber.

I made some wedges so I could fixture the tapered receiver to drill and tap for scope mounts.

11-30-2007 I went to the range and shot 75 gr Vmax bullets that would group at 50 yards but keyholed at 100 yards.
2-15-2008 I returned to the range with 65 gr Vmax and it would group at 100y.

I think I now own (5) Sav 99s:
.308 been in the family since 1965
303 Sav 1907 $78 and came with an old box of ammo 2001
250-3000 take down 1918 $175 2004
30-30 1903 $560 2007
.308 99C $350 2008
 
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If it's in the condition that you describe it's probably worth it...or close to it...
 
Forgot to say, it's got a deer head in gold inlay on the bottom of the receiver. Don't know if that is factory or not. If it was not, it is still done well. And I don't typically like guns that have been messed with like that.
 
I went back to look at it today. Checked to see if the stock had any cracks around the wrist area. It's perfect. Blue is even better than I remembered. Lockup of the fore end is very tight. Hand cut checkering is perfect.

Downside is that it isn't drilled and tapped for a scope. Probably shouldn't do that to a hundred year old rifle in 95%+ condition, but that's the only way I could hunt with it. I buy guns to use, not sit in the safe. Love to take it pronghorn hunting. Still, I don't want to devalue a nice collector gun.

Dealer said he'd take $800. Looking better by the minute. Dunno.
 
I've always thought it was one of the cleanest, prettiest rifles ever made. I've coveted one for years, but I want a .243 or .308, which I never see for sale. For that condition, 925 sounds pretty fair (though too rich for my blood).
 
Local gun show had 4 of them under $600 bucks, this past weekend, my buddy picked up a Model 99-C in 308 for $495,
it has a top tang safety and a detachable magazine, the rear sling swivel hole is stripped out (no swivel),
so he will fill it with an oak dowel and put on a new old style swivel.
Also saw a Savage 1899 in 32 Special, with a cresent butt-stock and straight grip for $395 (rough bore),
but was in pretty good shape otherwise.
 
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