Hey all. I'm new to this forum. Was sent here by Ken from savage99.com after emailing him with my question. So here is my issue, but first a little back story. Lol. So when I was 15 (I'm 38 now) my grandmother loaned me a Savage lever action rifle to go hunting for the first time. I ended up getting in trouble and grounded and never went hunting, but my dad held onto the gun since my grandma didn't use it anymore. It was originally my grandfather's gun and then my grandmother's after my grandfather died. It sat in my gun locker since my father died in 2010 with the intention being that it go to my uncle, as requested by my grandmother. On March 11, my oldest son's 21st birthday my grandmother passed away. While packing up my grandmother's house, I talked to my uncle and told him I had the rifle and his mom wanted him to have it. To my surprise, he told me he wanted me to have it. Then he told me several stories of the family hunting and stories about the gun. So here is my question. What caliber is my 1899? The Barrell stamp clearly is stamped 30-R. I have never been able to shoot this rifle because I don't know what shells it takes. My uncle said it uses a round almost like the 30-30 but doesn't have the lip at the rear around the primer? If anyone could help I would appreciate it. I would love to take this gun to the range and shoot it and let my kids shoot what used to be their great grandparents hunting rifle. Thank you.
Can you post a picture of the caliber marking? Heck, the whole rifle?
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Apparently my picture are too high resolution (exceeded 97k) and can't be uploaded to the site? I'll try taking some lower resolution pictures this weekend.
I haven't taken it in but have asked all the local gun Smith's and they've all just referenced the .303 caliber and said you can't get rounds for the 1899 anymore. Then offered me $400 to take it off my hands. I just don't think I have any knowledgeable (or honest) gunsmiths around here unfortunately.
I'll never sell it. It has too much meaning to me and my family. We just want to be able to taking it the range. It's a great addition to our collection. I also have an old Springfield 1908 .22 and 2 Remington model 11s that were passed down from my grandfather to my father and then to me. It feels good to be teaching my kids to shoot with the same guns that were used to teach my dad and also me. Just want to be able to take the lever action out and shoot it for the first time and also let my kids do the same.
The stamp was originally 30-30, and the R was stamped over the second 30. No idea...
What you need to do is have a gunsmith do a mold of the chamber and measure the dimensions. It might be a 30-30, or might be rechambered to something else. Until you know the dimensions of the chamber, you can't be sure what is it.
Last edited by Calhoun; 03/23/17.
“The Savage 99 Pocket Reference”. All models and variations of 1895’s, 1899’s and 99’s covered. Also dates, checkering, engraving.. Find at www.savagelevers.com
Welcome to the site. Hold on to that one and keep us up to date. What part of Oregon are you in? We have a member out there that may be able to point you in the right direction of a good gunsmith. If you get lucky it's just a 30-30 and ammo is easy. I've never seen one over stamped with an "R". We would love to see some pics of the whole rifle so we can tell what model it is. Thanks for posting, Joe.
Absolutely have a chamber cast done so you know for sure what correct round should be used.
How about a photo of the bolt face, and the chamber mouth. If it was chambered for 30 Rem wouldn't the headspace need to be set back to eliminate the lip for the rim?
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Jeff, that's what I was thinking. But not knowing when it was made? If for some reason the factory did it, you would think the "R" would be the same size as the 30-30, but it's much bigger font? Definitely need a chamber cast, Joe.
Thanks everyone for all the help and advice. I've gotten further in this in 12 hours here than I have in years elsewhere. I am in Albany, Oregon (about 30 minutes south of Salem). I will post more pics when I can. Gotta play with camera resolution first. When I punch the serial number into savage99 date info it says it was made in 1915 or 1914. I believe it is an 1899a but not sure yet.
This is somewhat irrelevant since the rifle was originally a 30-30 but 303 Savage ammo is still manufactured by Jamison and is available from Midwayusa.com for 31.99 per box of 20. I'll bet the rifle is worth way more than $400. But you are right, keep it and hand it down to family members. Heirlooms are priceless. David
wyo1895 With Savage never say never. For a copy of my book on engraved Savage lever actions rifles send a check for $80 to; David Royal, p.o. box 1271, Pinedale, Wy., 82941. I will sign and inscribe the book for you. [email protected]