Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Savage Collectors Wondering about buying a 99 "shooter"

The MN woods where I hunt generally only provides a 50 - 75 yd shot and I find that my Tikka T3 in 06 is a bit unwieldy.

Please save me from having to implement 'Plan B' which is to take my accurized Ruger Mini 14 (223) into the deer stand this November!! I'm having some trouble talking myself into using a .223 - just doesn't feel right although I have no complaint about anyone else choosing to use it.

So 'Plan A' is,I'm thinking about finding a 99 that is not collectible but shootable. I really don't know much about the 99 except that I really like how they look.

So, I'm asking for some guidance about models, costs,etc. I'd prefer a .30 caliber. I'm not interested (and, ahem, neither is my wife) in spending a ton of money.

Would any of you folks be willing to help 'school' me on picking and purchasing a shooter grade 99?

pm sent

A pre-mil (before 1960) 300 Savage EG, that's drilled and tapped for a scope in decent shape can be had for under $500.00, depending on where you're at....

Web-sites like Gun-Broker, Auction Arms, etc. can give you a pretty good idea on what prices they're getting on the internet.

Don't know how much you want to spend, but a model "F" in 300 Savage or 308 is a good choice...

(Just my opinion)

Joe

Joe,
Your opinion counts!! There's an unbelievable wealth of 99 knowledge here and I'm hoping to tap into it.

Thanks for your input. I understand we're standing around the campfire 'spitballing' prices, but was wondering what a model F would be going for. I have looked on Gunbroker, but get a little confused by all the models!

I just gave $450 for a 300F in hand. I'm happy about it.

Any of the pre-1960 Savage rifles in 300 Savage or 308 would work just fine for you. My main rifle is a 1945 99EG in 300 Savage which was after market drilled and tapped for a scope. A 99R or 99F would also be a great choice, and those would be factory drilled and tapped.

The 300 Savage is looked down upon and you can usually get them at a lower price than a 308.

Should be able find one online for under $500, then add in shipping and FFL fee.


If you wanted something a bit more "different", you could look for an older takedown or such that has been drilled and tapped or refinished and thus won't run too much money. Or look for a 303 Savage which would be plenty of power at the ranges you list (similar to a 30-30), but is far best if you reload.

What's your budget for the rifle, and what's your general location in the US?

Calhoun,

I'd like to keep the price under $500 and be able to get a rifle that would be ready to use.

I do reload so any of the calibers listed would be fine.

I'm located in the Mpls area.

Scoped, or iron sights, or peep?

Probably scoped - my eyes are not what they used to be!! I could get by with either open or peep sights, but the extra help from some glass wouldn't be a bad idea.

+1 on a pre-mil 99 F in .300 Savage. They're light, factory drilled for a scope and a joy to hunt with. In my part of the country I've seen several very nice ones in the last year in the $600 range.

Rod

Savage 99s in this area of PA bring stupid high $$$ prices. At the risk of heresy, if you have trouble finding a 99 in 300 Savage, look for a Ruger 96 in 44 Magnum. They can be had for $400 or less, have a really handy short throw lever, detachable 4-rd magazines, and "the Savage 99 look." Downside: The Ruger 96 has the patented trademark clubby fugly Ruger carbine stock, complete with the stupid carbine band up front. 44 Magnum from a carbine-length barrel has all the juice necessary to do for whitetail out to 75 yds and then some.

Just sayin'.

Noah

Hmmm... Yes, an heretical statement, that! Of course, it would be better than using a single shot shotgun with punkin' balls.

I think the reason the EG in 300 Savage is the most common model and caliber is because it is abou as close to a perfect deer rifle as you'll run across. It is also among the least expensive 99s. Others here would disagree with me, but I also think they are a very nice looking model as well.

https://www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbth.../1/savage_99_EG_300_savage_1954_v#UNREAD
You could sell the rear sight on this one for $100+, and it would then fall within your price range.

Great choice CRounds!

I hunted Northern MN as a young man and still do occaisionally as I still have a camp back in the thick stuff.

Nearly fifty years ago, I tired of the poor fit of 94s and tried other rifles until I found a 99 with a "peep sight"......one of the finer woods rifles made IMO.

I recently picked up an EG in 308 up here for $500 and it's quite nice except for sling stud that I removed.

If you look around you can still find them cheap. I found my 99 R in 250-3000 at an auction for $185. It was factory drilled and then some knuckle head drilled the side of the receiver for a side mount. Just about a month ago I bought a 99E in 308 at an auction for $330. I like small estate sales that don't have a bunch of guns that will draw every collector within a hundred miles. My advantage is I'm not trying to get any particular gun "right now", and I love going to auctions. So, if the guns go high, and I blow a day, no big deal it was my idea of entertainment. If I get lucky every 10 sales I go to I'm jumpin with joy. Good luck, Joe.

"At the risk of heresy, if you have trouble finding a 99 in 300 Savage, look for a Ruger 96 in 44 Magnum. They can be had for $400 or less, have a really handy short throw lever, detachable 4-rd magazines, and "the Savage 99 look.""

This is true, in the same way that Oprah Winfrey has "the Marilyn Monroe look."

Rod

LOL!

Seriously?

300 Savage model 99 F = Ruger 96 in 44 mag?

So what model numbers should I concentrate on looking for if I want a short barrel (20-22 inches)in 300 Savage, 303 Savage, 30-30, or 308?

Those model numbers are really confusing - I'm in awe of you guys who can sort through them all!!

There's a lot of models with those lengths, especially when you get into 30-30's and 303 Savage.

For 300 Savage or 308, you'll want a 1950's 99F which is factory d&t and 22" barrel.

For 30-30 and 303 Savage, you'll have to find an after market d&t'd rifle. And as long as you stay away from the 26" 1899A/1899B/1899C, I think almost all models will have 20" or 22" barrels for these cartridges. So you could find a 1899A SR (short rifle) made in 1900, or a 99G made in 1939.