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..show-off, now tell us what calibers you're slingin'!

Some of us just call that picture a pretty good starting point.

Yeah, I know that by now! It's the one time I stacked them up together for a photo, so I keep recycling it. I'll be honest, I'm out of storage room for more 99's , so until that's remedied, I'm stuck. I have a safe in the shop for tools that could come inside though...

I've also discovered that there are other makes and models of guns on the market. Who knew?

Jeff, nothing unusual for cartridges, except the 270 Titus. 22-250, 250, 7mm-08, 284, 300, 308, 358, 375. Missing a few to be sure, but don't really need any, besides maybe a 30-30. Got some customs ready to assemble if I could find a smith locally. 22-250 AI, 250 AI, 375 16".

Porn, just plain old unadulterated PORN!

Another option is a Marlin 308MX. Yes, I know it is not a "real" .308 but for all intents and purposes it is close enough.

As far as BLR's go several people with more knowledge than myself said the cocking stroke is to long with the long action rounds such as the .270, 30-06, etc. Their advice was to stay with short action cartridges.

Can a scope be mounted to all Savage 99's or is there something that I need to watch for? I will want to put a scope on one if one doesn't exist.

The older Savages that were not drilled for a scope at the factory have writing on the top of the receiver in front. Sometimes they are drilled after the fact, through the lettering. If not factory drilled, it's anybodies guess if they were done well.
I'd look for one with the writing moved down the side and factory drilled and tapped on top, if it were me and I wanted to shoot with a scope.

Factory d&t for modern standard scope bases started around 1950 for the 99R, 1956 for the 99F, and 1956 for the 99EG. Everything after that was factory d&t for scopes.

Prior to this, any modern d&t for scope bases would be after market. I've got more than a few, the majority are very well done and work fine. Just not "correct".

There were also a lot of non-standard d&t jobs for odd things, ranging from holes for side mounted scope bases like the Echo or Weaver T7, to differently spaced top holes.

If an earlier rifle is d&t, it's best if the bases come with it. Otherwise ask for pictures to check to make sure it's standard, a lot of the non-standard bases are a serious pain in the neck to find.

1930's 99T that was aftermarket d&t:





There are also the Stith mounts, which allow certain scopes to be mounted without the drilling of extra holes. Rear base is secured in the tang sight screw holes, front base is secured in the rear sight dovetail. Works for any 1899 or 99 made after WWI up to 1959 (on earlier rifles the rear sight dovetail is too far forward to work well). Comes in 3/4", 7/8", and 1" versions. Here's a 7/8" version with a Lyman Alaskan 2.5x with post reticle on a 1941 99EG in 250-3000:

Bought a Savage 99 in 308win. No letter after the 99. In really good shape. Serial number starts with 929XXX. Any approx. date on this gun? Had a scope already mounted.
Thanks guys for all the info.

Will try to post picture in a bit.

Look on the front of the lever boss for an oval with a number and letter. I.E. `13L. Number is the inspector, you can ignore that. Letter is the year starting with A in 1949. Skip O and Q. They're normally poorly struck or hard to read.

My bet is your 99 is an F lightweight, but that's just a guess. However most of the F's will say 99F. Otherwise it's an EG or R.

17J The J may be an 'I' had to get the magnifying glass out. The J/I is hard to read.

No thumb safety. What is the piece called that locks the lever in place? Will it shoot when that is in the lock position? Didn't want to pull the trigger until I had a round in it to see.

Thanks,

That is called a lever safety. The tang or thumb safety you refer to came a few years after your rifle, in 1960.

Yep, the lever safety is the safety. Shouldn't fire when it's engaged.

1957 sounds about right, don't have my sheet with me. Only three models made at that time. The 99F is most common in 308, it will say 99F on the barrel and have a rounded forearm and the barrel at the rear sight dovetail will be thicker than the rest of the barrel. The 99EG will have a thin forearm with a schnabel tip. The 99R will have a fat and wide forearm that is significantly wider than the receiver and a rounded end on the forearm.

Found it. 99F.

Any concerns with use of any ammunition? Plan on shooting mostly 150 grain and a mixture of factory or handloads. Handloads would not be hot, but normal book loads.

Thanks.

Just one mans opinion,
But stick with the .308. Long action lever guns don't do it for me.
On the other hand a model 95 Wincheter saddle ring carbine in 06 would be very cool.
And don't forget the Winchester 88. I have a Winchester 88
And a savage 99F, both .308s and over all the savage gets the nod. ...tj3006

No problem with any factory ammo, and if you don't load them hot then any hand loads should be fine also.

Good luck!!

Do not see a 99PE in that picture. You need one.

I have a "Remchester" (Miroku(sp?) reproduction) 95 in 30-06 & do like it. Not sure if it is also made in the gay chambering.

To the OP, you can not mount a scope on this lever gun, due to the action style (top eject).

My main deer rifle is a M99c, in .308 & I love it !!

Whoops.