I found a savage 99 in a .243 at the local trading post and they are asking $599 is this a fair price? What should it be worth ? Is it a good gun? I've always admired they're craftsmanship I just don't know much about them. Any info is helpful thanks. Sam

Sam,
243's were made from the late 50's on. Most of the ones you see are the economy E, which is most recognizable by it's lack of viewing window for remaining cartridges (on the left side). It'll have the pre-uglied stocks too, birch, stamped checkering. There are a few keeper 243's floating around in desirable collector models such as the EG, R, or F. Could be a newer one as well if it has a removable magazine. Can you tell us a few of it's features such as fore end shape, barrel length, any markings, metal or plastic buttplate, serial # range, etc?

Several styles of the Svg 99 were made. A serial number and pic would be useful in determining style. Prior to 1965 the 99 rifle has a "rotor spool" magazine in the receiver and in 1965 some begin to contain a detachable magazine. There were 99 r's, 99 e's, 99 c's, 99 dl's to name some. A fair price would greatly depend on which style and overall condition. Of course if you like it, a fair price is whatever you're willing to pay...Most are good rifles but like any, you will find a lemon in the bunch from time to time. Pre-64's are held in much higher esteem than post-64 models.

Fixed that for ya!

OK I didn't really have to much time to look it over but I did notice that it. DID NOT have a detachable magazine the stock seemed to be dark with a lot of distinct graining the fore arm was stamped checkering as far as serial numbers I'll have to go in and look again. Is there anything that I need to look for?

If it has a barrel boss where the rear sight is, it is a 99 F. I have one of those in 243. It is a VERY accurate rifle.
Assuming it is in good condition, I'd guess that to be a fair price. I wouldn't part with mine for that.

OK that's very helpful thank you

If it's stamped checkering and in great shape, the price is probably fair but it's not a great deal. Stamped checkering started in 1965 and is okay for shooters/hunters, but less so for collector desirability imho.

I have an uncheckered E from 1960, so what did they have from 1961-1964? Stamped or none? I seem to recall no checkering.

There is a 99E in 243 for sale in my area for $600 if I remember
correctly. It has been sitting for awhile.

From 1960 through 1964 it was still cut checkering for the models that had checkering, FB2.

Yeah, understood. I was thinking E's only. Seems I remember seeing one listed as 1963 E and it was plain w/o checkering.

What years , models of 243 99"s did not function?

This rifle is a 99E. Series A .243

They all functioned. Even the ones with the ugly stamped checkering.

Well, not quite. There's been mention here of several pre long action .243s and IIRC at least one .308 that didn't function very well because they were pre the post 900,000 action modifications. We don't know much about them but we do know that they exist. Factory experimental or "gunsmith special?" We don't know but we do know that they exist.

He asked what years and models of 243's didn't function. I don't think you can state that 2 or 3 99F's from the 50's that slipped by QA (or whatever) can be pushed to state that all 1950's 99F's in 243 and 308 don't function.

Don't believe that I stated that. Believe that I stated that those that don't function are those either privately modified below 900,000 or released by the factory under 900,000. If I wasn't clear above this should clear it up.

Thanks for that, I assumed that from a recent thread the 243 in early times was a lemon.

The morel of the story is if you buy a pre mil 243 or 308...make sure the first serial # is a 9