I've found 99's to vary more than bolt actions. Don't know how many 99s in .250 I've owned, but would guess at least half a dozen, ranging from older take-downs to two of the post-mil tang-safety models--only one of which shot well.
The biggest mystery was a take-down with a tang sight. Have generally had good luck getting take-down 99s to shoot, but this one would NOT consistently group either the 100-grain Hornady Spire Point or Speer Hot-Cor under 3-4 inches--and I'm pretty good with an aperture sight.
Finally measured the twist, and it was around 1-15, not the standard 1-14. This was no doubt due to the adjustable sine-bar rifling machines Savage used back then. Switched to the 87-grain Speer Hot-Cor (which I have heard was originally designed for 1-14 twist .250s), and the groups shrank to under two inches.
