Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Savage Collectors 99F stock touch up or leave it alone?

[img]http://s1143.photobucket.com/user/epsmiley/library/Savage?sort=3&page=1[/img]

Trying to figure out what to do with stock on this old bird. I don't want to screw up any collector value but I don't want to hunt it and have it get any worse. The buttstock is really the only thing that kind of bugs me. I guess I could take it out with a slip on recoil pad so the finish doesn't further chip. Looks like original owner used to sit it down on the ground quite a bit.
Also, anyone have any factory ammo suggestions or reloads they like in .243 for deer?
Going to put on a 2x7x33 leupold on it and hope that it clears rear sight. Wondering if tip off scope mounts are still available for it.
As always, thanks for your input
Smiley

I look for another butt plate, on ebay, but keep the one thats on the rifle! in case you were to sell it down the road. should # to the gun. or just leave it alone and enjoy it nice rifle!

I like it the way it is, Joe.

I would just use some maintenance on the wood, beeswax would fill in a bit of the damage, add a little polish, and not impact the well-earned character of a real-world rifle.

I too would leave it alone. No drastic damage there that would justify cosmetic surgery.

Put it another way: If your wife of 30 years is showing a little mileage on her face, but still reflects the warmth and beauty she did when you married her, would you drag her down to the cosmetic surgeon's office to re-create her youthful looks?

For reflection...

Yes. Feed the wood, new butt plate and don't look back.

If it bugs you why ask anyone, just clean it up. Reblue the buttplate for giggles.

Smiley


LOOKING AT YOUR PHOTO's I'd LEAVE it alone,,,rubb in some good stock oil, looks well cared for for all the years it has on it.
J.M.O..
Nice looking rig.

rub a LITTLE tung oil into the stock to seal any open wood...then take it hunting.....

To some of us a pre-mil 243 F is somewhat collectible. I wouldn't do anything with it but shoot it and hunt critters with it and try not to fall on rocks.

Good advice.

Feed the wood, keep the butt plate, and hunt that puppy! GW

Here is one of your pictures:




Hunt with it carefully as it is. Or wax the stock and butt plate.

Nice rifle.

That's a nice old rifle there. Many of us here would love owning it and hunting with it as it is. I hunted with a 243 factory amo for years. Mine liked 100 grain Winchester Supreme.