The Pump Rifle thread has gone to 53 pages. The Deer Rifle thread has a surprising number of folks touting their Savage 99's. This is a rifle that's been out of production for 20 years. It's well worth a thread of its own. I don't see any other rifle out there with such a following. My question is WHY? More to the point: How can such a popular rifle be out of production for so long?

I'd never really even thought of a Savage 99 until I came here to the 'Campfire in early 2002. It just never showed up on my radar. I'd come of age as deer hunter in Ohio, so shotguns were always my thing. Even 20 years into deer hunting, and I really did not have mature tastes in rifles. I had 2 centerfire deer guns, a Remington 742 and a Winchester 760, both in 30-06. I used them when I hunted Kentucky. They were quite adequate. In 2002, I bought a Marlin 336 in 30-30 and had really high hopes for it. After one season, I came away disappointed. Since I'd been a slug gun hunter and knew what a 30-06 could do, the 30-30 just wasn't enough. I was looking for something more.



Gradually, the Campfire's influence began to work its way into my head. Everyone seemed gaga over the Savage 99. I started looking into it. It seemed like a good gun. The 300 Savage looked like it was about midway between a 30-30 and a 30-06. That sounded about right. I asked my buddy, Big Bob about it. He was a retired gun editor. Bob said it was a great gun, but warned me away from the 300 Savage. He felt it was too likely that now that Savage had dropped the 99 from production the 300 Savage was going to be orphaned. He suggested buying one in 308 WIN.

That's what I got. In the summer of 2003, I got a Savage 99 in 308 WIN, and began working up a load that was far enough off-MAX that it would resemble a hot 300 Savage. 150 grainers did not work at all well in the rifle, so I tried 165 grain and hit paydirt. I also had trouble with the brass. I had bought a lot of military brass. I was having trouble with sticky ejections after the first reload. Somebody on the 'Fire from Canada suggested using consumer brass. I've been shooting from the same bunch of once-fired Federals ever since.

I bagged my biggest-ever buck that year. I bagged an even bigger one in 2007. To date, my Savage 99 has scored several big bucks, including the camp's #1 and #4 bucks. I hunt with it religiously on The Opener, and usually hunt with it whenever I'm in a stand. I hunt with it until I get a buck, and then retire it for the season. My longest shot has been just inside 150 yards. Most of the shot with this rifle have been within 30. Still, after all this time, I can't really tell you why I like it so much. There is just something about how it feeds and how the bolt closes that just makes it seem right.

99F 300 Savage

I have one I bought from Fireball2, it’s a 308 also. I was surprised how accurate it was. I eager to hunt with it.

I have a 1953 M99R, 250 Savage. Shoots very well with the 87 gr Hot Core, not bad with the 100 Hot Core. It's a little bulky and heavy by todays standards, but I've taken several deer with it and it always gets the job done.

I picked up a 1969 savage 99f in 308 last sunday at a local fleamarket for 300.00.

Iv got savage 99s in 22HP, 250 sav. 303 and 300 sav. and have taken Deer with all of them!

i had a 99a in 308. It was mint. Had the worst trigger of any rifle I ever shot but it was a beauty. I just wish id kept it though. Maybe I coulda found someone to fix that trigger

I got my 1st 99 in 2004 and have owned a dozen or so since then. I have taken 10 deer, 1 antelope and a bison with them. Still have a 1958 99F in 300 savge. I have taken deer with the 300, a 250, 243 and 308. Full disclosure I missed a doe with a 1912 take down 303.
Ken

Would love to have one of the older ones (pre war?) with the Schnabel fore end and the altogether more "svelte" look.
.300 or .250. Wouldn't much matter which.

Got my first (and only) 99 about 5 years ago from a friend who was a 99 afficiando Its a ‘51 model EG in 300Sav. Surprisingly accurate with mild loads and 165 Deep Curls. I carry it a lot when hunting where shots will be fairly close. It’s also my nighttime hog gun. sweet rifle...fun to use. Only thing I’d change is I wish it had a 22” barrel instead of 24”.

That echos my thoughts / experience, so when a 99EG in 300 Savage showed up at the LGS, it followed me home.

Growing up I always thought that they were misshapen and ugly verses say a Winchester M88, but then I bought that '56 99F .300 Savage for the kid at a gun show and can understand what I'd been missing all these years. The kid doesn't hunt, so it is my back up rifle, but kind of a travesty that it doesn't get out more. I put a low mounted mat finish Leupold Vari-X III 1.5-5x20 with the heavy duplex on it and it points like an extension of my arm. I'm trying to bestow it onto one of the stepsons, but they don't understand how nice it is. The 99 was certainly way ahead of it's time. I was talking with a collector and he said that when the 99's came out, it was the ranch hands that were buying the M94's and that the ranch owners were buying the M99's. It sure carries better than my custom bolt action. Once upon a time I wrote down my perimeters of what ballistics would make the ideal whitetail cartridge for the way that I hunt deer. Then I compared those numbers to a list of cartridges and came up with the .30-40 Kraig and .300 Savage as being about perfect ballistic wise. More than a .30-30 with less recoil than a .308. I am glad to see so many .300 Savage aficionados on the campfire.

classy gun, has always been on my bucket list,,,,, nice posts everyone

Another 99F takedown, this one is a 30/30. It gets carried around here a bunch.

My favorite is a 1957 99F in 300 Savage topped with a Leupold M8 6x. Kills stuff dead for me.

They have been a big part of my hunting life. They are great rifles to carry. I killed my first deer and first elk with one.

I got a .300 Savage 99R in1961 used. Sold it when I went in the Marines (1966). I used it on a bunch of stuff. Way too heavy but accurate.. Folding tang sight. First rifle I loaded for.

Next, a 99E in .308 Win (1972). Sold it in 1987 to pay for an '06. Great rifle.

These days, I have an 1899 .250-300 Savage TD. It was made in 1917 and is in very good shape. Likely reblued and has holes drilled for scope bases. Has a folding tang sight and a Leupold 2-7x33. OK with 100 grain bullets and REL-15 or factory loads (1.5-2.0" 3-shots at 100 yards) , Much more accurate with 87 grain Hot Cores (1" or less 3 shots at 100 yards).

I just gave my dad's Model 88 .308 to my oldest boy so I will be looking for an early .308 99F with a lever lock safety, maybe a .300 Savage. They are my idea of a great woods rifle. If I get a .308 I will load it to .300 Savage performance levels. More is not needed for most uses.

Hey! How'd you get a hold of my rifle!?

Second look, guess it's not mine, we're OK. Mine has a lot less blue left on it and a redfield receiver sight. It's a transition period 99 featherweight takedown from 1923, receiver stamped as an 1899. It was given to my father in the 30s, he gave it to me as my first rifle in 1973 (he'd switched to a 1957 vintage 300 svg 99F and held on to the older one).

[quote=shaman]The Pump Rifle thread has gone to 53 pages. The Deer Rifle thread has a surprising number of folks touting their Savage 99's. This is a rifle that's been out of production for 20 years. It's well worth a thread of its own. I don't see any other rifle out there with such a following. My question is WHY? More to the point: How can such a popular rifle be out of production for so long?

I'd never really even thought of a Savage 99 until I came here to the 'Campfire in early 2002. It just never showed up on my radar. I'd come of age as deer hunter in Ohio, so shotguns were always my thing. Even 20 years into deer hunting, and I really did not have mature tastes in rifles. I had 2 centerfire deer guns, a Remington 742 and a Winchester 760, both in 30-06. I used them when I hunted Kentucky. They were quite adequate. In 2002, I bought a Marlin 336 in 30-30 and had really high hopes for it. After one season, I came away disappointed. Since I'd been a slug gun hunter and knew what a 30-06 could do, the 30-30 just wasn't enough. I was looking for something more.



Gradually, the Campfire's influence began to work its way into my head. Everyone seemed gaga over the Savage 99. I started looking into it. It seemed like a good gun. The 300 Savage looked like it was about midway between a 30-30 and a 30-06. That sounded about right. I asked my buddy, Big Bob about it. He was a retired gun editor. Bob said it was a great gun, but warned me away from the 300 Savage. He felt it was too likely that now that Savage had dropped the 99 from production the 300 Savage was going to be orphaned. He suggested buying one in 308 WIN.

That's what I got. In the summer of 2003, I got a Savage 99 in 308 WIN, and began working up a load that was far enough off-MAX that it would resemble a hot 300 Savage. 150 grainers did not work at all well in the rifle, so I tried 165 grain and hit paydirt. I also had trouble with the brass. I had bought a lot of military brass. I was having trouble with sticky ejections after the first reload. Somebody on the 'Fire from Canada suggested using consumer brass. I've been shooting from the same bunch of once-fired Federals ever since.

I bagged my biggest-ever buck that year. I bagged an even bigger one in 2007. To date, my Savage 99 has scored several big bucks, including the camp's #1 and #4 bucks. I hunt with it religiously on The Opener, and usually hunt with it whenever I'm in a stand. I hunt with it until I get a buck, and then retire it for the season. My longest shot has been just inside 150 yards. Most of the shot with this rifle have been within 30. Still, after all this time, I can't really tell you why I like it so much. There is just something about how it feeds and how the bolt closes that just makes it seem right.

[/quote

Grandpa had a 99eg, in 300. I finally got an eg, from 1959, in 308. Really accurate. Now I gotta find a dang deer, when I'm carrying it.

Killed my 1st coyote, muledeer and elk w/ a 99 in 300 Savage. Had one as my truck gun for 10 years until it was stolen. If I ran into one for sale in 250-300 I would buy it just because it was one of Frank Glaser's favorites.


mike r

It is with my deepest regrets I must admit I don’t have a 99. I was in the market for one in 300, 308 or 243 a few years ago; but I found a NIB BLR in 308 for the same price as many people were asking for a used 99. Couldn’t pass it up, and while I like the BLR a whole lot, I wish I would’ve gone for the Savage.

As a teenager I was a Winchester 94 guy and was offended buy the look of the 99. It was just too "Buck Rodgers." As an adult I saw the error of my ways. The 99 I've hunted most with is a 99F in .308 Winchester made in 1957. It has worked well for me, but is not my favorite. I have a takedown G made in 1927 in .300 Savage that is the one I like the most.

I have one a .250 . Had a .300 and 358...

My friend Jeff has one to sell. A 250-3000.
If someone want one let me know and I'll put you in touch with him.

I thought I wanted one when I was about 18, and went to a shop to order one, but the guy talked me into a bolt gun instead. I probably should have ignored his advice. I went with a 700 BDL in .308, and was never truly happy with it.

I still have never owned one, and rarely see them for sale, except maybe in .243, which doesn't interest me much. I'd like to find a .300 now, and I know a guy with a safe full of them (and other chamberings), but he's still collecting, not selling, and isn't likely to let any go.

I guess I'll have to keep on with my M70s and that old Marlin 336SC, which is a fun gun to shoot. And kills stuff if you shoot straight (doesn't everything?).

You see them in the classifieds here quite often, plenty in GunBroker.

Killed my first deer with one. 300 99RS

My 99 300 savage is special to me. It was given to me just before my friend passed. His wife saved up and surprised him with it after the was discharged from the USAF in 1954.

My 308

I picked up my first 99 a few years ago; been hooked ever since. A bit of trivia: Savage produced over 30 model variations over the years (not counting caliber variations). I'm amazed at the design simplicity, quality and accuracy of these fine rifles, especially those made before 1960.

Every year I rotate a couple older models into the deer stand just for the nostalgia. One of my favorites is this 1946 EG in .300 Savage with a vintage first-year Weaver K4 scope mounted on a Stith mount; darn rifle will shoot 1" groups at 100 yards if I do my part.


I also have a couple early 20" rifles in .303 Savage and .30-30 Win that are just a pleasure to carry.

I just started bullet casting and hope to take my first deer with my own bullet this fall using this 1901 model 1899B chambered in .303 Savage.

Damn, that gun is old!

...an engineering marvel, considering when it was engineered!

I had a mid 1970s 99 in 250-3000 Im sorry I sold it.

its good to see more people coming over to the "light" the younger generation are in to black guns and don't know what they are missing

Other fun stuff to do with a Savage 99, along with a Hammond Game Getter, 22caliber Ramsets and Hornady 32 caliber (.310) lead balls.

What's that funny looking blue black stuff on the receiver of your 99?

LOTS of things are fun. 99s. ARs. Lots of things. In fact there aren't that many guns that aren't fun to shoot really.

We like the 1892 in 32-20 too!

I've got one......my grandpa's 1913 99B in 30-30......

Mr Dave, that makes your 99 Special in more than 1 way.
IMO it’s Super KOOL !!


I have had two 99s. One was in 243 that I got for my son. It shot well but there was some problem. The bolt or lever lock up was difficult. I never could
figure out the problem. At the time I didn’t know a g smith I trusted so we traded it off.

The other 99 was an unusual model to me. It had a bulbous fore end that I didn’t like. It was a 358 Win and shot very well.
It also had the Brass cocking indicator & Brass rotor with round counter.

I should have kept it but someone offered me a NIB Ruger SS Super Redhawk, so.....
I don’t miss that particular 99 but certainly would like a diff model with schnobel fore end and 300 S or 308 W.
Nothing says CLASSIC any better than Savage 99.


Jerry

Same pictures I have posted on this board before...but here they are:


1917 1899 H in .22 HP




1911 1899A in .303 Savage


Somewhere around here I have pictures of a smallish 4x4 mule deer with my 1930's (ish) 1899 EG in .300 Savage and an antelope with my same era 1899G in .250-3000 Savage.

How do you like the 303? I’ve seen a few around for cheaper than the 300 or 308 models, and I like cartridges that are a little less common that can strike up a conversation. On a side note, since moving to NC I’ve seen lots of used 99s for sale, in WV I never came across a single one. Gonna use that as leverage against my wife to get one before we move back in a few years

Sorry, it looks like I fat fingered the keyboard (among other things) last night. That is an "A"; not a "S".
Anyhow, due to the stock drop of those older "A"s, the rifle has a goofy feel to it as you're aiming.

Other than that, it's nothing more or less than a .30-30, which isn't a bad thing.

Some day I will shoot another deer with the ol' .303.

My first 99 was a 99A 308 Saddle Gun. Didn't like it for some reason and sold it to a buddy over 30 years ago, he still has it. Then I got one in .375 WInchester. Killed my biggest bear and some nice blacktails with it. Fell in love with the 375 and the 99 because of how easy it was to flame a running deer with a Savage lever gun and the mild recoil. They carry soooo nice with that round bottomed receiver and especially the models with the 22" medium weight barrels.

Used that .375 for a couple decades but always used bolt guns for longe range work. I hated the way bolt guns carried and operated, so I began researching 99's in other cartridges that might shoot further than the .375. Long story short and LOTS of 99's later, I now hunt with a 99 in .284 any time there's a chance for long range shooting. And a 99 in .284 does shoot long range! Anything short range I generally use the .358 now since it pushes the same 200 grain bullet weight I use in the .375 but several hundred fps faster.

The deeper you get into hunting with them, the more you appreciate how fast and accurate they are. They can shoot 600 yards across a canyon, or jump shoot deer at 40 yards with the same deadly efficiency. There really isn't any compromise, especially in the .284's. I've put together or found quite a few customs to scratch itches Savage didn't make. .270 Titus, .17-22/250 are a couple oddballs. A very useful 99 is one in .338 Federal. Shooting 160 grain ttsx bullets I can't imagine a better all around rifle and cartridge for North America, unless it's the .284.

For fun, shoot the old ones with the longer 26" barrels in 30/30 and 38-55. Most Savage guys shoot 303, but I never understood why when 30/30 components are so readily available and cheap. For a good long time 303 brass was unobtainium, but I understand it's available again.

I did break down and buy a Kimber 25/06 last year rather than build a 25-284 in a 99, mostly due to the headache of finding gunsmiths that will build custom 99's. That's about the only drawback to a 99. They rarely give you trouble, but finding a good 99 smith is a crapshoot. I have taken apart and repaired many of mine for various reasons (I sometimes buy junk intentionally to learn on) and find them a lot of fun to work on. They would have been unimaginably hard to engineer, design and build, but they are NOT hard to work on, at all. It's very enjoyable taking them apart on the bench and spending the afternoon getting to know each one. Parts are available from several sources, eBay, the collectors here, Numrich.

There's no downside to a Savage lever action rifle. They work great, are accurate, shoot pointed bullets, are fast, carry well. For the guys that hunt foul weather and don't want to use blue and walnut, you can get your 99 coated and paint the stocks, making them perfect for rainy hunts. I highly recommend powdercoating rather than some of the thin garbage coatings that scratch too easy. Powdercoating wears like iron and is completely waterproof.

If you don't find a 99 that suits your needs, make it. You won't regret it.

This model is called the DL, and is often marked 99M on the receiver. The M stands for Monte Carlo, or the raised comb on the rear stock. That's my favorite hunting model 99, but I prefer the earlier ones (1960-64) with the cut checkering rather than the later stamped. The hardest one of those to get would the the 1964 (one year only) 99DL in 284 with the cut checkering. It took me many years to find one and I know of only two or three.

The comb on the DL gives good scope alignment. This model was available in 22" and 24" barrels depending on year. I prefer 22" models. Savage made a DL called the PE that had super high grade wood and engraved receivers that is gorgeous, if that's your thing.

The Frazier History Museum in Louisville, KY has a lot of high-grade 99s on exhibit (it used to be called the Frazier Arms and History Museum, but the PC pantywads talked them into changing the name). It's worth the visit if you're in Louisville for other reasons.



They have a lot of high-grade Marlins on hand, too, along with Teddy Roosevelt's Big Medicine .405 Winchester and his H&H double rifle, and all kinds of armor and other things, along with historical presentations.

I got this 99G in 1976 which was the first but, certainly not the last. I had been shooting cast bullets for several years in hand guns and decided to try them in this rifle, so I worked up a load for the up coming deer season. Killed a couple of bucks with it that season which hooked me pretty good on the 99's and cast bullets. Thinking back, I believe all the deer I've killed with it has been with cast bullets.

The fifth from the bottom would look much better in the light that is in Pennsylvania, i’ll Send you my address you can ship it and I’ll take some pics. Then I’ll send it right back.......,,,

Yes, you pegged that one to at 'T.' Mine came with a knot in the wood and the finish told me it must have been out in the rain a little too often. Still, it fit like a glove, when I scoped it, it came right up to my eye, and all the imperfections meant I could hunt it hard and not have to worry about ruining anything. That's how I like my deer rifles.

99-A, 250-3000

I got a dandy 250 that was my Grandma’s, need to put it to use... love 99’s and love 250’s....

Never owned one personally. I'd like to give one a whirl. I can appreciate their part in firearms history. Cool rifles for sure.

Love mine, it's a M99c in .308, & is knock about hunting rifle.











It's developed enough corrosion & pitting, from our climate, that it's going to be repaired/re-blued this year !

Blowed the horns clean off of him! Might want to cut the charge a trifle. Looks cold up there. We use to have snow to hunt in here. Pretty rare anymore.

My interests in rifles is firmly rooted in the pre-war era. Winchesters, Springfields, and Krags- "as-issued" or modified/sporterized. For load experimentation and general shooting off the bench they fulfill me. But, for hunting here in the deer woods of Maryland and Pennsylvania give me a Savage lever gun. For that purpose my preference is for pre-1920 takedown carbines, and the cartridges Savage offered during that period are all certainly up to the task: .22 High Power, .303 Savage, .30-30, and also the rare(er) .25-35. The .250-3000 made its debut during that time period too. And every now and then a .32-40 or .38-55 will raise its head.

It's always a tough decision when heading out as to which one to take. This day the M1899H takedown .303 Savage got the nod:



190 grain soft (10-12bhn) flat nosed cast bullet, 28 grains 3031, 110 yards.

In early '81 I picked up a used 99C(.308) in a trade. It shot two types of factory ammo very poorly. I kept studying it and saw that the fore-end was putting quite a bit of upward pressure on the barrel. I kept adding washers to the fore-end "stud" aka forearm hanger/sanding the channel too until I got the forearm free floating. It was a tack driver then, especially with the "then new" Frontier ammo (loaded with the Hornady 150 IL)! Trigger was pretty nice too. Shot so well I never loaded for it, and back then all I used was a Lee Loader/RCBS scale. I put one of the first Leupold M8 (?) 2.5 fixed power on it. I hunted with it a few times, never got a kill. I then traded it off for some cash and a new RCBS RockChucker loading kit. Still use it too, in fact its the only press I've ever owned! I had other rifles back then and the 99c was just a project. It was one of "those" I wish I still had. ha. Out here in Utah, you can still find a lot of old 99s, mostly in 300 Savage, in pawn shops/gun stores. I always keep my eye out for another nice 99c though. I too was raised with the M94 and the 99 "looked weird, but when shouldered....oh how sweet it is! ( said with Jacky Gleason voiceover, ha)

I've got one in .300sav and recently a .375win that I bought to use in Ohio. Great guns to carry!
-Jake

Between my father, an uncle, 4 cousins and myself we have at least 11 Savage 99s that I know of. One .358, three .308, three 30/30 and the rest in 300 SVG. A few are scoped, many have williams or old redfield receiver sights - don't think anyone uses the original barrel mounted leaf sights.

I have a 1923 vintage featherweight in 30/30 and a pre-mil 99F in .308. The 30/30 was my first rifle - when you grow up hunting with a 99 nothing else really ever feels as responsive or "carryable", but I do use other rifles too.

My dad got me hooked on the 99. He carried one for decades and shot a lot of deer with it. It went to my brother when we split up Dad's gear after he passed. I owned several over the years, including a nice EG in 250 that I wish I'd hung on to. I got the chance to buy a 300 EG off one of the original members of our camp, and it's the one I carry now. I've always liked the clean lines and feel of the 99. 94's just feel loose and sloppy to me. The older Marlin's are a good gun, but they just don't feel as good as a 99. My son and I are going to the Savagefest in Wisconsin in August and I'm hoping to pick up a 99 in .243. After all, my granddaughter is 1 year old now-it's time to get going on this! I've always thought it would be fun to get a bunch of guys together for an "all 99 hunt". Plenty of 99 guys here at the fire. It would be a good time.

My thots as well plus the 336 is too heavy for the performance level.

Jerry

Interesting thread to the see the fondness for the old 99.. I have had several.. Now I have one a 250 that belonged to my FIL... 4 or 5 years ago, I had a couple of them out to hunt antelope and deer.. The low combs, and safety position were just a pain after a life time of bolt actions.. So I sold all but the .250.. Never missed them a bit.. All with what you learn to use I guess.. My family in general used lots of 99's, but my grandfather was a bolt action man, and I learned from him.. Nice to see all the 99's appreciated by others..

The first rifle I bought when I turned 18 was a Brush Gun in 358. Still have it, nearly 40 years later. I had started hunting with a Win 94 (32 Spl, not that piddly little 30-30 ) but Dad and nearly all the guys at camp had 99's. In fact, of the regulars, only 1 guy used a bolt gun, one a used a 94 and the rest had 99's. That was in Northcentral Pa. in the 70's. Just me and Dad left, maybe one other guy but I haven't seen him in years. Bummer.

I also was one who thought the 99 was homely and ungainly looking compared to a Winchester 94 . But then I became interested in them because of the rotary magazine and unique design. I started watching to buy one.

Had an uncle who hunted all his adult life with a 300 Savage 99 EG. He loved that rifle.

I bought an old half worn out 1930's 99 that looked like a EG, but it was too rough and I sold it. A couple of years ago I bought a fairly clean 1950 99 R in 300 here on the fire and it happened to be in my hands when I got the largest Whitetail I've taken.

Beautiful old buck! Nice job!

That's a nice one roundoak.

303 Savage:


35-30/30 Savage::

great bucks! I can see a palmetto in the last swamp buck pic.

Thanks Fireball2!
I never tire of looking at pics of those beautiful trophy blacktails you've taken.

Dale, I thought I made you a very fair offer when I said I'd take that gun off your hands for $100.00. 'Still torqued that you didn't accept! All joking aside, that's a really nice rifle buddy. Congrats to you sir.

Everybody views things with their own eyes. As for me, I always thought the 99 was a much better looking gun than the 94. It doesn't have that tube magazine under the barrel, and it doesn't rattle like a can of nuts and bolts when you open the lever. Then there's the issue of getting a scope on top of the older 94's. No such issue with the 99. The choice of available rounds on the 99 is different too, without the necessity of RN or flat tipped bullets. I'd be remiss not to mention our member, MILES58 who worked up a very accurate load for my 99 based on the 130 gr. Barnes TTSX. The gun is much more accurate than I can possibly shoot it with this load. It would be interesting to see what a different scope and a trigger job would do to this old warhorse, but it'll wear a Weaver K-4 for as long as I carry it. What my son does with it after that remains to be seen.

I scoped and worked up a load for a friends 99E in .243 in the late 70's. It was my first dealings with any 99. It had a spongey, almost "doubleaction revolver" trigger pull, but broke consistently. I finally got it shooting a speer 100sbt into about 1", it was tight enough that, off the bench, I could hit a rotten egg at 100yds ( my shooting buddy was a bachelor back then and always had out of date eggs in his fridge! ha) When I got the 99C a few years alter, I found that I MUCH preferred the tang safety.

Y'all gotta stop this.. nobody want's 99's. Horrible gun. Stay away from them at any cost. If you run into a nice one at a gun store, let me know and I'll make sure nobody else accidentally buys one of these horrible rifles. Heck, I've sold all mine off......

Buy a Remington.



1902, used hard but still very, very cool:



Couple from the 1920's



1935




1945



1952

C, what calibers???

303, 303, 300, 303, 300, 300.

Darn.. bit too narrow.

1903 - 32/40




1910's - 22HP




1940 - 250-3000




1950's - 308




Post-1960 - 284

Calhoun, very nice collection!
That's also a Hell of a buck there!

There's a pic of mine on here from years ago, a 1927 99F TD - 300 Savage.
Was given to my grandpa from grandma that same year as a Christmas gift from money she saved while.working in a logging camp.
It's killed a ton, or more, of deer.

Friend gave me an older 1899 EG takedown in 300 Savage a few years ago.
It had been a real education in both the caliber, and the rifle, as great hunting tools for a woods hunter.
Bonus is it's pleasant to carry, pleasant to shoot, and flat out effective.
Gotta be the most underestimated package ever.

YES Indeed, that's a great buck. Now y'all know he didn't have to shoot it, don't ya ?

When the buck saw that Classic 99 he knew the gig was up and he killed (keeled) over.


Jerry

Note the smile on the deer's face!

He died happy.

Heck, they love that gun so much I shot a forkhorn in self defense a few years earlier when it charged me. I think it was a "What do you mean you won't shoot me? I'll MAKE you shoot me with that beautiful old gun!!!" moment.

Dang, someone scratched up that .32/40 real bad, you oughta see if someone can buff those scratches out.

Calhoun, one of the prettiest bucks I ever seen and I'm not a youngster. powdr

Hi shaman,

You have a gorgeous rifle chambered for an excellent big game cartridge.

Wisdom has done caught me. A fast-handling, lightweight .308 Win is perfect for all Western big game hunting. I do love my Sako rifles, but up high were air is thin and breathing labored, a ham sandwich is heavy. I could put your rifle to good use.

I've also learned the wisdom of closing distance and shooting at a 100 yards than farther.

Imagine all the largest of big game animals that were reduced to table fare by the .300 Savage. Now .300 Savage bullets bounce off of big game.

Sadly, I regret to opine that your friend is right: the excellent .300 Savage might just be dropped from ammo manufacturers' lines.

The American icon Model 99 in .300 Savage was the perfect rifle/cartridge combo when hunting skills were required.

shaman, I hope your rifle brings to you many years of fabulous hunting seasons. It is an excellent rifle chambered for an excellent cartridge.

Steelhead,

That is one classic big game rifle, with a peep sight, that has proved itself where it counts: in hunting fields. That nice buck obviously wasn't clued in that the .300 Savage isn't more than suitable big game medicine.

Don't get me wrong, please. I appreciate the 300 Savage and I agree that it'll get the job done in most situations:

That said, the 300 Savage will not do anything that can NOT be done with a 308 Win. It can be loaded down to savage performance levels.

Personally I wish the 99 had NOT been discontinued BUT the 300 Savage can be loaded FOR a long time in the future.


Jerry

short 99 Savage story,my dear old neighbor Benny who killed many deer and some moose with his 99-300 was coming to the end of his hunting days,so I always made sure old Benny and his wife got plenty wild game meat ,they just loved wild game meat. about 25 years ago the weekend before Minnesota rifle deer season friends ,neighbors and relatives came over to my place to sight there rifles in on my 100 yard range,many times I did helped them and shoot their rifles for them. well old Benny at over 80 years old always came over too and the 1st time Benny came over one year he brought his old trusty Savage 99 with a old weaver 4x scope on it and asked me to see how the old girl would shoot and he handed me 5 shells from his pant`s pocket and none of them were a match brass or bullets. when I looked thru the scope it look like it was raining and that day was still and sunny so I put the rifle on my cement bench and on my front and back rests,i had never handled a 99 before and with this old scope I was just hoping to hit 9x11 sheet of paper but I had a 1 1/2 bulleye in the middle ,so I tried my hardest for old Benny to shoot his rifle well and to my surprise the first shot hit the bulleyes high and when I shot the other 4 shoots I had a 1 inch group high in the bulleyes,old Benny said that`s good enough and put that old 99 back in his car. since that day I have always had a lot of respect for Savage 99`s and now I plan on buying a Savage 99 243 from Fireball2 ! and yes I am excited !

Never was a fan of the 308 in the 99. Seen too many get sticky.

Pass me the 300 Savage, all day, everyday.

They're even great rifles to take with you whilst fishing.

Bamboo and steel. Late 50's 99F in 308






Rainy days. The old takedown 99F in 300

Well Steely, IF you down load the 308 to 300 Savage performance.....

it won’t be sticky.

Jerry

WTF would I do that when I can just shoot a 300 Savage?

Perhaps you like to own stuff that don't work as it should, I don't

I can't even load a 300 savage load past mid range in a model 99. Too much spring in the action.

They Handel like a 30/30 kill like a 30/40.

I've heard that.

The 358 Win in a 99 I had did not suffer from that. I was able to load full throttle loads, killed deer & turkey with it.


Jerry

300 Savage vs 308 in 99's... 300 has half the kick, 90% of the power, and both kill deer almost identically. 308 handles heavier bullets much better.

Nothing wrong with either one. I hunt with a 300 Savage, and the only two times I've needed a second shot is when I failed to place the first shot where it belongs. 23 deer killed so far with it, two needed a second shot.

Indeed, the .300 is pretty close to an ideal deer cartridge. When I want more .30 performance, I step up to a bigger cartridge, bypassing the .308 and going right to .30-06. I'm one of those rare people who never saw the need for the .308 since I owned more '06's and .300's over the years than Carter's got Little Liver Pills.

Very interesting about the 358 handling loads......

I always pondered that......

Perhaps why Marlin jumped their ER model to the 356 in lieu of a more necked down caliber...

The bigger the bore........the sweeter the whore?

I feel only gnoahh is qualified 2 comment at this point.....pardon the pun.

I run a few 99's pretty hard and they work fine. I don't get all this talk.

I don’t get what you don’t get.

All this talk about Savage 99 actions being weak and running mild loads only.

Not weak, IMO, but not the bastions of strength that a good bolt gun is either. They are a little "stretchy" but no worries thereof as long as the user isn't an idiot and tries to make his .300 Savage perform like a .300 magnum. Any rear locking lever gun bolt is going to move more than a front locking bolt.

99's were chambered in some righteously high pressure cartridges- .22-250, .284, .308, .358. I never ever heard of one coming unglued.

not picking a fight but i don't get the springy action idea. seems to handle the 284 winchester, 375 winchester , 308 winchester without noticeable movement of the shoulder on the bottlenecks , or lengthening of the 375.
the 284 and the 308 aren't exactly low power cartridges.

I haven’t said too much because I only loaded, shot, & hunted one 99 very much.

I had a 358 Win and loaded 185 Rem, and 200 HSP. I loaded to normal 358 velocities which were not mild and WAY more than MID level
loads. I had good accuracy or I would have moved it pretty quick. Also I had no problems with case stretching which has been criticized in the 358
for having a minimal or insufficient shoulder and NOT just in a 99.

So from a sample of 1, I did not experience the reported FLEX in the action. Based on my experience with 1, I’d gladly give another one a go,
in 300 S or 308 Win.


Jerry

Most of this BS about springy actions is just that, BS by people that are going by what other B Shippers have said that are only using their thoughts with no proof. I have owned most all the calibers that was made in the 99 and have never experienced any thing that could be caused by a springie action. I killed a lot of deer with a 300 and 308 loaded to max and never had a problem. any one that has any proof that the springy action is a problem please let me know , I would like to see it. thanks all.

Compelling, once again.

S Head

Why are you so interested in MY experiences and opinions? Life must be boring for you.

Jerry

I'm not, just wondering why you think others are interested in your lack of experiences.

I just have been able too load the Winchester model 88 like a bolt action.

A marlin 336, 444, 375, 356, 1895. and even a 93 upper end of book.

Browning BLRs to upper end of book.

Win 1895 upper end of book.....I try not to cuz they are sooo expensive.

Win 95 upper end of book.

Win 1894 upper end of book.

Win model 94 upper end of book

Savage 99 s mid book or less.

The Marlin 1893 s were mid book tops also....

But I dunno...nuthin

My dad gave me a 308 rotary magazine 99 that was a bad luck charm for me. never saw deer with it.

I picked up 300 savage that I took a few deer with and think its about perfect except for ammo cost and lack of availability... foolishly sold it during the ammo shortage when I thought I needed to reduce m deer rifle count.

Sold an inherited well worn 3030 that was beyond repairs, but still shot. It was really ugly and abused with a dark bore, but it would have killed a deer. Gunsmith friend needed parts and should have kept it instead.

Found a steal on a 99c in 308 with a cut down stock recently. Will only sell it to a kid in need. Like my rotary better and I've started to carry it more because its luck has changed. I like it because its the only 99 in deer camp.

I generally don't regret selling & swapping guns, but the 3030 and 300 are two I should have kept. 99's are just too cool.

My favorite M99 feature is some of them have that classy dark stained color and with oil finish stock, simple beauty!

I love my 99 s.

Most of them are actually 1899s very old.

It is weird if you dry fire them the bolt and lever " move"......hence me thinks therein lies the less tolerance of pressure.

I have had 5 M99 rifles,1 300 Sav., 3 308's and a 243. I like the 300, even loaded it using LEE handloader. It had so many holes on top of the receiver and on the side of it and none lined up except the two peep sight holes. I shot a coyote and a doe with it then traded it off. The next 308 was a 99E mid 70's in 308. This rifle really shot well and worked nicely in the woods but for some reason the high yella stock bugged me and I sold it. Next up was a 99DL in 243, shot great but too shiny for me, sold it. I still have the last two a 99A (1976 model) and a 99E in 308. I have come to the conclusion I like the pistol grip stock design and lever safety better than the straight stock and tang safety. With full power loads the 99A is a bit buckish but still shoots just fine. This rifle also has some mystery holes in the left side of the receiver. It now wears a peep sight and is a light handy rifle. The last the 99E is scoped and is also a fine shooter. In all these rifles the only one that would chamber fired factory ammo brass was the 300 Savage.

.300 Savage with the takedown

Mike

.300 savage

Love the end of the tine curling up on that beauty! Great buck!

I enjoy reading the old threads when I run across them. It makes some mad to bring them up again.

Me too.

I just went back thru this myself, seems like a long time ago!

Yep. I like it too.

Whoa,

Roundoak & GopherGunner in the same thread !

Lying [bleep].

A .284

A 32-40. First animal I killed with open sights

Nice pics gents!

I've got a 30-.284 wildcat 99. In looking up loads I found some info in the old PO Ackley books, 51 grains of powder with a 180 gr. Started at 48 grains and stuck that cartridge in the gun on the first shot! Hotter en hell!

Started over at 43 grains (down from published 51 grains) and had to drop it yet again.

I'm at 42 grains and ready to try again.

Wonder what kind of pressure 51 grains ran at? LOL

.375

.22-250

Nice. I’d like to have a .375

My old man's got a 30-284 he built from an Arisaka. I don't remember what he was loading for it, but I DO remember it having quite a bark when you pull the trigger. Seems like a pretty hot cartridge for a 99, since ballistically it's similar to 30-06.

H carbine .303



EG .250-3000



EG .300



G .300

Here is a little 99C in 450 Bushmaster. For my use in South Texas brush country, I can't imagine anything better than this rifle.

Jerry,

Can you provide any additional details on the rifle above?

The reason I ask is, there has been a Mod 99, 300 Savage, in my Dad's family for decades that has the cocking indicator and round counter. While I've never actually laid my hands on the rifle, I plan to in the near future as it will be changing hands due to an illness.

I believe jwall is deceased.

Sounds like a '50's "R".

They do seem to work.

No, unfortunately he cannot

I know this is an old thread, but if you’re still around, tell me about your sling. I’ve shot a few nice bucks with my .300 EG, but quit carrying it due to no sling and I’m reluctant to drill holes in the stock.

That’s a really nice buck btw.

Man, how embarrassing, I didn't know he passed.

A 358F, possibly the most accurate rifle I own with 180 Barnes TTSX, damn pigs kept coming back on the right of way, stand is 200 yards away.

StudDuck, this was probably what he was referring to:

A few of mine with Mike's slippers.

300,300,303,250.22HP

Was a good purchase day .

I’d say so

Hi Joe, can you get ahold of me about your rifle? It is beautiful. Rufe.

Well I have a 99 takedown in .300 from 1924 and my son has a 99 Featherlight. 300 from 1958. We use them. When I was a teenager I would hunt with my late Great Grandfather's 99 takedown in .300 but when that went up for auction I was outbid. But I have my own now and that seems to have righted the wrong of losing a rifle that was meaningful to me in that sale so long ago. I love the .300 Savage cartridge and think it about perfect. If I ever get another 99 I'd like it to be a 303.
I'd share a pic but the site always says my files are too large

My little group of 99’s. Others have shown up since this thread started.

30-30 1899, .303 1899, 250-3000 99, w/ Left Hand Custom Stock, 300 Savage G takedown, .303 Factory Original Birds Eye Maple 1899, Walther .22 for those who are curious.

I just passed on 99a 250, bought a 99M 300

Ran up on this 99A in 375 not long ago, have some 200 grain Sierras to try.

Good deal

99’s are addictive

I've only ever owned one 99,..a .243. It shoots into 1.25" at 100 yards all day long. I suspect it's more accurate than that. But the thin forearm and the fairly stiff trigger keeps it from being easy to shoot off the bench.

A 375 would be sweet.

99's are my favorite rifle bar non....

The safety is a little challenging for a left hander but I love them otherwise

I like the hell out of them too, amazed at how accurate they are. I was hoping for a 3” group when I got hold of the first one, less than an inch. My son took it, don’t seem to want to give it back.

I like 'em. Going to try to run down one in 32-40 this year.

EG 300 Savage



EG with a McGowen barrel 250 Savage



1899A SR 303 Savage

Savage 99C re-barreled in 450 Bushmaster. Still needs to be finished but has turned out to be my most useful and favorite rifle. With the Bear Creek Ballistics 450 Bushmaster 240 HV bullets and their loading data, this is easily a 250 yard rifle.

My 99E Trapper, purchased on the campfire. Barrel shortened to 16 1/2" , re-bored to .358 Winchester and mid 50's 99F stocks. The gun Savage should have built:

I agree. My 16" 358.

358 are fun. These were made in 56, I was 3 yrs old. Damn I’m old!

get them when you see one, the prices keep going up

I have been adding to my lil herd of 99s since 1976, it is good to see the excitement for them. but todays prices just take the fun out of collecting them unless its one I have been looking for a long while . but none the less 99s are a infectious bug that once in your blood never leaves. cool old thread to be reading on a sunday morn !

They do get a hold of you!

many people have tried..many people have died, oh, thats a song, seriously the best you can do for the trigger is to polish a bit, any thing else is a no no

My 99 has a trigger that a bolt action guy could appreciate but my son's 99 has a trigger that belongs on a double action revolver

My 99F went to the gunsmith to see if that trigger could be improved a little and honestly, only “a little” was the end result. I suspect that he cleaned and lubed it and it is good enough for a walking around deer rifle. I have relegated it into a back up rifle role behind a custom bolt action with a way better trigger. Oh, that 99F with a 1.5-5x20 heavy duplex really points well, but for a stand sitting rifle, I don’t see a lot of an advantage in using a 99. A lever action might be just a hair faster for a follow up shot than a bolt action, though in my experience a second shot doesn’t need to be that much faster even in the woods.

My 48' 300. EG. 4x Weaver in Lightfoot mount



I'm not completely sold on the 99 for all my deer hunting chores.
It's definitely heavier than my Kimber Hunters and doesn't have nearly as good a trigger.....

Where I hunt, I can be setup for close in action or it can take place at 400 yards or more very easily. I rather like the better trigger and powerful scope (and ability to dial elevation) that the Kimber offers. But I'll find a time and place each year to carry the Savage. It may also become my loaner rifle...

The gun show in Sioux Falls last week end had many Savage 99’s. I saw three 308’s - all over $1,000. A 358 was on a table at over $2,000.

All three of the 308’s did not have a brass cartridge counter.

Had fun with a 32-40 last weekend


healthy restaurants wilmington nc

You got lucky. 99 savage as good as it gets for deer hunting.

BLR is a bit smoother and would be my choice. Only issue is Browning no longer carries any parts for them . None at all.

Unless you're left handed. I'd hunt with mine all the time if I could get that safety off. As it is its relegated to a stand hunting rifle

I've shot at least one deer with each of the different cartridges that Savage chambered the 1899/99 for except the 22HP, 7mm08, 303 SAV, 32-40, and 38-55. I've also shot at least one deer with 99s chambered for 6 non-cataloged or wildcat cartridges; 6-284, 25-284, 257AI, 260, 6.5-284, and 40-55.

I like the post-WW2 99F for still-hunting, the post-WW2 99R for hunting from a stand, and the 99C/CD for wildcatting. The 99F in 243 that I had rebored/rechambered to 260 is, IMO, close to a perfect match of rifle and cartridge for hunting medium game.

I have one being made into a .338 Federal. I’m anxious to get it back!!

I have 2 99’s.
Pops bought me a 99 EG in 300 savage that came into my uncles sport goods store on trade. This would be 1988/89 ish. I was 15. Serial number dates to 1941 man. I still have this gun today. Shot my first deer with it around 89/90. Have also knocked down a half dozen moose with it over the years, on top of many other deer.
My other 99 was pops. He had a 99E in 300 savage. Serial number dates to 1982 man. Pops passed away in 2006. This one will go to my son when he’s a little older. We’re both lefty’s, as was pops.
I’m now reloading for the 300 savage. Ammo is getting harder to find in years of late. It’s not like it used to be.

That's a lot of pork.

That would make the 308’s either 99 C or 99 E. If there was no removable clip, they were 99E’s.

My only one. 99a in 250 savage. Handy little rifle that is plenty accurate. Have shot it plenty, need to hunt it more.

My 99 in 338 Federal is nearing completion, should have it by this deer season

Please post pics. That is going to be a sweet hunting rig.
I love my .300 but that round is one I have always thought would be awesome in a 99

I will, has a custom stock, so it had no collector value anyway, have 160 grain TTSX loaded to try in it

You can make some cool custom 99's.

38-55 takedown carbine






303




250-3000








Even have a .17 caliber Savage 99






270 Titus (300 Savage necked down to 277)

Beautiful rifles Roy

I plan to use my grandfather's 1899 chambered in 303 Savage this year.

I want to use a .303 H carbine if my eyes don't get any worse.

Just picked up my first model 99. Made in 1942 in 300 savage. I'm starting to load for it. I am a sucker for anything old and if it has a lever on it, even better.

I hadn’t thought about it in a 99 but the cartridge has interested me for a long time. It makes sense that it’s a good choice.

Not quite Benchrest quality, but decent for the old rifle!

Got the 338 Federal back, got it sighted in today. I’m well pleased with the work CTW did on this rifle.









Turkeys at bottom I’m hill, wonder what a 338 Fed would do to one??

Nice job Hanco. "...I wonder what a .338 Fed would do to one??"
Probably the same thing that a 180 grain RN Core-Lokt from a .308 did to a snowshoe hare for me once. Hare parts hanging from the brush nearby.
Or having read everything I could from Jack O'Connor back in my youth, he wrote that a bullet passes the line of sight twice. Once maybe 10-15 yards out and then again at the sighted in range. He wrote that was really handy to know potting a grouse for camp meat. Didn't work like that on a close in partridge that I saw one deer season. I could have .30-06ed a feather pillow and gotten the same partridge burger result. Not recommended and that was kid stuff. Now if I hunt deer, I only shoot deer.

Lovely rifle Hanco!

Look forward to pics of the game you take with it.

Couple pigs with it, two for one, went through momma pig, little pig too

Outstanding! now it's a certified porker slayer.

My Dad (1922-2004) hunted with his 300 Savage for several decades with very good success. He downed a decent bull elk during a hunt to Wyoming before I was born. But deer were his quest for majority of his hunts. 300 Savage has a lot going for it:
- flat trajectory out to about 250 yards or so
- excellent power for big game animals
- very good accuracy
- moderate recoil

Nice rifles, looks like I need to get my 308 out and knock the dust off.

I picked up a 52 model 99r with a 4x weaver marksman back in the summer. I have several custom rifles, I get more joy hunting with this little 99 chambered in 300 savage. I am fixing to get it out and walk to my stand shortly after submitting this post. I think this is my "lucky rifle" I have carried it twice and seen an abundance of deer each time. I really enjoy it. I hope I can afford another one to be honest. Good luck fellas!!

Gettin the Fed broken in

Way to go Hanco. Great animals!

This thread dose my heart good . It is good to know there is still respect for the 99. sure there are many bigger , more expensive rifles that some think might be better or more attractive . I found my liken for the 99 at the age of 14 years old. it was in the hands of my uncle, it was a 99F in 308win made in 1957. I bugged him until I got him to sell it to me. that was in 1976. I have been searching and bringing 99s home ever since, I guess the thrill of the chase is part of it but mostly for me its the beauty and history in the 99 thats most appealing for me . If only them ole 99s could talk just imagine the stories they could tell !

When I lived out West in Idaho I had two 99’s a 300 and a 250. Funny but none of my hunt buddies who shot Winchesters and Marlins like most could never get past always saying they may be good rifles but they looked weird. Seemed like some guys refused to accept the advantages and the fact that with a rotary mag you could shoot pointy bullets and the actions were stronger. It always came back to they looked strange. Gotta wonder how many of them bought tactical AR platforms and called them Sweet Looking ?
I’ve one last 99 and its chambered 375 Win. Love it and my single shots in 38-55 I get confused with brass that has shoulders and necks

Rick

Never had much interest in the 99s until my MIL gave me my FILs' 250, later a friend sold me a 308, couldn't warm up to it and sold it here on the CF. The same guy then sold me a 250 takedown and died shortly after. I keep it mainly for the sentimental value to remember all the times he hosed me on gun deals. A coworker had me help catalog his massive collection of guns and he gave me a 22HP takedown, with one shell so I could shoot it one time. Turned out it was a dud but he is looking for dies and brass he has somewhere.

I absolutely think it's the best North Georgia woods hunting rifle that's ever been made. I've had them all. You can't beat anything about it! I hope to have another one some day.

I grew up hunting with a 99 in .243. Has the rotary internal mag with the shell counter on the side. Tack driver with factory 100 gr Winchester power points. Haven't hunted with it in years but many fond memories with that rifle