Savage lever action .308-any good?

[gunsmith]

There is a lever action .308 from Savage at a local gunshop,it doesn't have an external hammer. It comes with a scope and it's a model 99e.
What is scary for me is it looks likes it's had alot of use and I can't test shoot.
I don't have a rifle right now and this one is only 300 bucks and in a caliber I've been interested in for a long time.
What do you guys say?

 

[roo_ster]

I've been lusting after a Savage 99 for a while. I really want a beater in .250-3000 so I can cut the stock down for my lefty-rifle-shooting wife. I'd be happy with any of its chamberings for myself.

I have had the pleasure of handling some rather pricey Savage 99s.

It is a rifle that is "on my list."

 

[Jim K]

The Savage 99 is a rifle that either grows on you or doesn't. The 99E was made from 1960-1982. They are good, rugged and reliable rifles, and I wouldn't worry about outside wear so far as function goes.

But that is, IMHO, too much for one except in very nice condition. $150 or so would be more realistic if there is a lot of wear.

If you are in "Savage country" (yes, there are areas where those guns were very popular, and areas where they are never seen), better ones will likely crop up.

Jim

 

[RON in PA]

In S.E. PA a rifle like that would easily fetch $300 and if in real nice shape go for $400.

 

[P95Carry]

gunsmith .. I was the luckiest dude when, three years back - I won a gun raffle and became proud owner of a NIB 99C .... in .243 .... it is the sweetest rifle despite being pre the accutrigger.

Not perfect ... no .... it has minor (very) shortcomings but - tell ya what - If I'd paid $400 and some I'd have been still very happy with it.

I know they have been out of production some while now but - in your case ... if bore is good and lockwork seems tight enough then yeah - maybe it could be worth $300 ... tho if an offer of $250 secured it and all seemed Ok ..... I think you could have one very enjoyable rifle. Give it some serious thought and check it out carefully.

 

[MrMurphy]

The Savage 99 is one of the best leverguns in existance..... it sucks they stopped making it.

My very first rifle was nearly a 99 in .308 with a 20" barrel, but I didn't have the cash on hand. Came back with the cash and it was gone. So, I ended up with a Lee-Enfield No.4 Mk1 (perfectly happy, but I wish I still had gotten the Savage!)

 

[Smoke]

I love my 99.

Mines a .300 Savage. Great round.

Smoke

 

[rbernie]

I bought a 308Win 99C at a NoVA pawnshop for $275 back in 1990. It was cosmetically rough but mechanically very sound. I refinished the stock (a really easy job on this rifle), GunKoted it, and proceeded to shoot the poop out of it for the next seven years. I loved the power and handling of the rifle, even if it tended to look a little pudgy around the middle to me. (The internal rotary magazine fattens up the receiver relative to a 94 or 336.) My only complaint about it was that it *really* needed a recoil pad - the stock plastic buttplate would really tenderize my shoulder after 20 rounds at the range...

Anyway, I wound up trading it for a bunch of HVAC work on my house. Now that I want/can afford another one - the best I can find in the DFW area will set me back close to $500 (and those will all be chambered for 300 Savage and not 308). I'm still holding out for a 308 version to put back in the safe, and when I find one I'll buy it on the spot.

The moral of the story is that if you can find a 99 chambered in 308 - make sure that it really is in mechanically bad shape before you pass on it. They are really neat rifles that seem to be growing in popularity now that they're no longer readily available.

 

[mainmech48]

I have a Savage 99F in .308. Bought it used in 90% overall condition for $350 a few years ago. I'd wanted one for years in this caliber and jumped at the chance for one this nice with the old-style rotary magazine.

While it's not an absolute tackdriver, it'll keep most factory 150 and 165 gr. loads inside 2.5" at 100 yds. Hand loaded 165 gr, Speer BTSPs will knock an inch off that when I do my part. Plenty good enough for the hunting that I do where 200 yds would be a pretty rare thing.

A classic hunting rifle, IMO.

Whoops! Sorry for double post. Mod please delete.

 

[mainmech48]

I have a Savage 99F in .308. Bought it used in 90% overall condition for $350 a few years ago. I'd wanted one for years in this caliber and jumped at the chance for one this nice with the old-style rotary magazine.

While it's not an absolute tackdriver, it'll keep most factory 150 and 165 gr. loads inside 2.5" at 100 yds. Hand loaded 165 gr, Speer BTSPs will knock an inch off that when I do my part. Plenty good enough for the hunting that I do where 200 yds would be a pretty rare thing.

A classic hunting rifle, IMO.