Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Savage Collectors Scoping my 243 caliber 99F rifle

Greetings,

I was wondering, the 99F in 243 that I recently bought, came with a Leupold one piece base and no rings. I can get rings from Cabelas, Brownells and other places...not a problem.

Since I plan on using this rifle for Texas whitetails and maybe coyotes at distances from 50-150 yards, max, I am wondering if a 2x7x32mm scope would be enough scope for me.

The reason I ask, is that this little 99F is short, light and handy in the hands...topping it with some big long scope with a 50mm objective, that sits up real high would take away from the handiness of the rifle.

I like the idea of a smaller. more compact scope, mounted as low as possible (on Leupold's "low" rings).

Any thoughts? I noticed several 3x9x32mm scopes as well - they're a little longer than the 2x7 compacts, but could I mount one of these 3x9x32mms on the low rings as well?

What do all of you carry, on your scoped 99s? Mounts? Rings? I just dont want big and clunky on this nice little, sleek, fast handling rifle...sort of defeats the purpose of the little thing. This is a woods and short open field rifle for me at best.

I have found on my bolt actions, that the Leupold steel base/ring set ups have been super reliable and very strong and want to keep the Leupold base/ring set up on my 99F.

Thanks,

Brickboy240

I've got a Simmons Aetec on my post-mil 99 in 300 Savage, but I've got a few Savage scopes laying around that I might put on it. They're 4X scopes but I've been holding out till I find a Savage 3-7X scope.

Does your 243 have a tang or lever safety?

It is one of the "undesirable" 99s...it has a tang safety and a gold trigger. However, it does have a cartridge counter.

I hope the safety does not get in the way with a scope mounted...I still think theres plenty of room to move the safety, even if I mount the scope on low rings.

I just hate craning my neck up to see out of a large objective scope on meduim or high rings. It does not feel natural. Even my 03 Springfield sporter has a Leupold base, low rings and a 3x9x32mm Weaver on it, because I like lower-mounted scopes.


-Brickboy240

Why not use an old Weaver K2.5 or K3? When you use Weaver bases and Weaver low rings you end up with a scope that's almost as low as a receiver sight. The Weaver scopes are all over the place used and Weaver Scope Repair Service out of El Paso will completely refurbish them (if needed) and install any reticle that Weaver originally offered for $50-60. It's pretty hard to damage an old Weaver without really trying and they gather enough light to be useful under most any hunting conditions. Not quite state of the art these days but top of the line when new. Even the new japanese Weaver K2.5s are a pretty decent scope and go better on a M99 than some new 50mm Superschutzen "I can see Pluto and shoot it by moon light" 40 lb scope! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

PS: I've got one of the japanese Weaver K2.5s mounted low on my 99-358 and there's plenty of room to work the safety.

Yep, I love the old Weavers. I have two old steel tubed K-4s on my 8mm Mauser sporter and on my 22 Hornet - nice scopes and yes, you can pick them up for a song at almost any pawn shop.

I AM toying with swapping the K-4 on my 8mm to the Savage 99, though.

-brickboy240

I put the Leupold 2x7 on my 99F and and she handles great. Looks and feels better to me with the smaller scope.

Duncan

The old 2-7X Redfield works just fine on the 99 but I think you will need medium mounts for any of the scopes with a bell. I've got several of the early '70s B&L Balvar 2.5-8X that work and look good too. I prefer a good quality variable to the fixed powers but that's just me.

The Leupold 2-7x scopes look proper on a 99F and should provide enough magnification for anything that you're likely to hunt with a 99F in 243.

Jeff

Thanks guys,

I am leaning towards the 2x7x32, but am seeing alot of nicely priced 3x9x32s, so that might be a consideration.

This will be the only lever action I own that is scoped. I really prefer to keep my Marlins and Winchesters with iron sights - they're more handy and faster that way, but this 99F is chambered for a round that has some more range than my Marlins and Winnys in 30-30 and 44 magnum, so a scope is in order.

I really think I can get away with low rings on a Leupold one piece base, if I stick with a 32mm objective scope, though.

This ought to be one slick and handy little woods rifle!

-Brickboy240

Those 3-9X32s might have a nice price but I would be cautious of qulaity. What brands are you looking at?

A period REdfield would be affordable and offer decent quality. A Leupold has super quality and a price to match.

Brickboy, my 2x7x32 is mounted with the low rings from Leupold, on an old Redfield one piece base.

Duncan

I like the one piece base.Seems more stable to me.1.5x5 Leupy vari X III looks likes it belongs on a 99-F.JMO...Jed

Jed...I'd go for that. If that is to much $'s might look at the Leupy Rifleman series, 2x7x32 is $179 at Natchez.com with free shipping and handling and no tax. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />