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Joined: Oct 2012
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Campfire Greenhorn
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OP
Campfire Greenhorn
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 41 |
Hey folks,
I've been carrying my 99H in .303 a lot the last 2 seasons and for me seem to be the ideal combination of easy carrying, quick handling and light weight that I'm looking for in a still hunting rifle. That said, I've got the hankering for a Savage 99 in .358 (in case I ever forget what work feels like and I decide to moose hunt again) and while I know they made them in the factory, they seem to be rare and pricey.
I'm wondering if I could find a "donor" rifle in .308 and have it rebored to .358? I prefer the rotary magazine to the removable clip and as I understand it the rotary magazines are cartridge specific, but since the .358 is just a necked up .308 I figure it should be a simple conversion? Is barrel wall thickness an issue? Is there anything obvious I'm missing with my thoughts?
I tried doing a search, but was having problems getting results. If I was in the States I could just send it to JES, but that's not an option in the Great White North.
Thanks,
Cory
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Joined: Nov 2005
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Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Nov 2005
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What you're suggesting is eminently do-able. Just be sure to start out with one that's already a .308, not a .300. It wouldn't be a huge trick to modify a .308 rotor either.
There's no accounting for loonyism- that's all the reason one needs to such a conversion. But you do realize, of course, that a .308 will kill a moose just as dead as a .358 will.
"You can lead a man to logic, but you cannot make him think." Joe Harz "Always certain, often right." Keith McCafferty
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Joined: Feb 2013
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Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Feb 2013
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I think for an economy Lever 35 caliber. Handloaded 35 Remington in a marlin 336 SC might be the trick.
"Shoot low sheriff, I think he's riding a shetland!" B. Wills
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Joined: Sep 2009
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Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Sep 2009
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I'd find a good 50s vintage 99F in 308. Second choice would be a later E in 308, not pretty but they have rotary magazines. Then I'd start playing around with heavy loads to suit your needs. 99Hs seem to be gathering a small following on this forum - I'm jealous.
"The universal aptitude for ineptitude makes any human accomplishment an incredible miracle." John Stapp - "Stapp's Law" "Klaatu barada nikto"
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Joined: Aug 2005
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Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 43,767 |
Factory 358's do bring a premium, but probably not a lot more than what you'll spend on converting a 308 to one. And the resale will be better on a factory 358.
So might be worth biting the bullet?
“ 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
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Joined: May 2011
Posts: 56,319 Likes: 9
Campfire Kahuna
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Campfire Kahuna
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 56,319 Likes: 9 |
I think for an economy Lever 35 caliber. Handloaded 35 Remington in a marlin 336 SC might be the trick. tsk tsk tsk. Another corrupted file needing to be deleted.
_______________________________________________________ An 8 dollar driveway boy living in a T-111 shack
LOL
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Joined: May 2011
Posts: 56,319 Likes: 9
Campfire Kahuna
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Campfire Kahuna
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 56,319 Likes: 9 |
Hey folks,
I've been carrying my 99H in .303 a lot the last 2 seasons and for me seem to be the ideal combination of easy carrying, quick handling and light weight that I'm looking for in a still hunting rifle. That said, I've got the hankering for a Savage 99 in .358 (in case I ever forget what work feels like and I decide to moose hunt again) and while I know they made them in the factory, they seem to be rare and pricey.
I'm wondering if I could find a "donor" rifle in .308 and have it rebored to .358? I prefer the rotary magazine to the removable clip and as I understand it the rotary magazines are cartridge specific, but since the .358 is just a necked up .308 I figure it should be a simple conversion? Is barrel wall thickness an issue? Is there anything obvious I'm missing with my thoughts?
I tried doing a search, but was having problems getting results. If I was in the States I could just send it to JES, but that's not an option in the Great White North.
Thanks,
Cory I wholeheartedly recommend a .358 for you. You never know what you'll find. JES occasionally sells one on Gunbroker for $600 or so. I found a carbine for $500 and promptly restocked it and swapped to a curved lever. Sweet little gun. Don't know about getting it across the border, mule for hire??
_______________________________________________________ An 8 dollar driveway boy living in a T-111 shack
LOL
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Joined: Apr 2013
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Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Apr 2013
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i take medical treatments in BC. they are so accustomed to me they just wave me through. forgot a brand new 1895 marlin after elk hunt once and the guys on our side found it. who says drunks, Indians, and the Irish don't have luck?
not that i am offering to mule a firearm but it can be done.
Last edited by deerstalker; 11/21/17.
the consolidation of the states into one vast republic, sure to be aggressive abroad and despotic at home, will be the certain precursor of that ruin which has overwhelmed all those that have preceded. Robert E Lee ~Molɔ̀ːn Labé Skýla~
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Joined: Mar 2002
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Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Mar 2002
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Probably easier to cross when you don't know that you have something that should be declared.
Savage...never say "never". Rick...
Join the NRA...together we stand, divided we fall!
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Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Feb 2003
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Cory I thought I remembered where there was a factory 358 for $650 but it had DL wood on it, went back to where it was and it dissappeared.
24 hour sarcastic S.O.B.
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Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 41
Campfire Greenhorn
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OP
Campfire Greenhorn
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 41 |
What you're suggesting is eminently do-able. Just be sure to start out with one that's already a .308, not a .300. It wouldn't be a huge trick to modify a .308 rotor either.
There's no accounting for loonyism- that's all the reason one needs to such a conversion. But you do realize, of course, that a .308 will kill a moose just as dead as a .358 will. I understand, but it's the best possible excuse I could come up with to try to justify it to myself I think for an economy Lever 35 caliber. Handloaded 35 Remington in a marlin 336 SC might be the trick. Thinking like that is the opposite of fun I'd find a good 50s vintage 99F in 308. Second choice would be a later E in 308, not pretty but they have rotary magazines. Then I'd start playing around with heavy loads to suit your needs. 99Hs seem to be gathering a small following on this forum - I'm jealous. That's not any fun either Factory 358's do bring a premium, but probably not a lot more than what you'll spend on converting a 308 to one. And the resale will be better on a factory 358.
So might be worth biting the bullet? Cory I thought I remembered where there was a factory 358 for $650 but it had DL wood on it, went back to where it was and it dissappeared. The last one I saw was over $1,000, I'd think I could convert one for under that. But if I could find one like MD's for that price, obviously it wouldn't make sense. I wholeheartedly recommend a .358 for you. You never know what you'll find. JES occasionally sells one on Gunbroker for $600 or so. I found a carbine for $500 and promptly restocked it and swapped to a curved lever. Sweet little gun. Don't know about getting it across the border, mule for hire??
Buying from the States is pretty much a no go from a financial point. $250 for the import + shipping to me + 13% HST + duty, that's in addition to getting the rifle to the importer in Montana. Thanks everyone for the input Cory
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Joined: Jun 2009
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Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 9,334 Likes: 1 |
I think for an economy Lever 35 caliber. Handloaded 35 Remington in a marlin 336 SC might be the trick. Whats a Marlin?
"You cannot invade mainland America. There would be a rifle behind every blade of grass" ~Admiral Yamamoto~
When the people fear their government, there is tyranny; when the government fears the people, there is liberty. ~Thomas Jefferson~
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Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Mar 2002
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I think for an economy Lever 35 caliber. Handloaded 35 Remington in a marlin 336 SC might be the trick. Whats a Marlin? Some sort of bill fish I believe.
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Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Feb 2013
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John Marlin...........
THE MAN who owned the factory who had enough confidence in his own patents, and was full of kindness and good feeling in his heart to help old Mr. Savage manufacture hisown patent of firearms. ( which are now highly coveted)
The Marlin Lever firearm is still in manufacture.
You seen the latest 2017 savage Lever action?
Me thinks not.
Last edited by Angus1895; 11/21/17.
"Shoot low sheriff, I think he's riding a shetland!" B. Wills
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Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Oct 2013
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Joh The Marlin Lever firearm is still in manufacture. . Thought they stopped making them and they are now making Remlins😉
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Joined: May 2011
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Campfire Kahuna
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Campfire Kahuna
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 56,319 Likes: 9 |
John Marlin...........
THE MAN who owned the factory who had enough confidence in his own patents, and was full of kindness and good feeling in his heart to help old Mr. Savage manufacture hisown patent of firearms. ( which are now highly coveted)
The Marlin Lever firearm is still in manufacture.
You seen the latest 2017 savage Lever action?
Me thinks not. You've got a mean streak.
Last edited by Fireball2; 11/21/17.
_______________________________________________________ An 8 dollar driveway boy living in a T-111 shack
LOL
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Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 11,692
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Feb 2008
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Ain't nothing wrong with John.
____________________________________________________________ Dying gets closer every day
Lloyd McCarter and the Honky Tonk Revival
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Campfire Kahuna
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Campfire Kahuna
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 56,319 Likes: 9 |
Ain't nothing wrong with John. I don't know man, he sure eats lots of sushi.
_______________________________________________________ An 8 dollar driveway boy living in a T-111 shack
LOL
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Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 7,756
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
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"Shoot low sheriff, I think he's riding a shetland!" B. Wills
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Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Mar 2005
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I'm wondering if I could find a "donor" rifle in .308 and have it rebored to .358? I prefer the rotary magazine to the removable clip and as I understand it the rotary magazines are cartridge specific, but since the .358 is just a necked up .308 I figure it should be a simple conversion? Is barrel wall thickness an issue? Is there anything obvious I'm missing with my thoughts?
A few members, myself included, have had JES rebore post-mil .308W 99Es to .358W so the conversion is doable. The factory rotor in my E would feed the top .358 cartridge from the rotary magazine. However, loading a second round in the magazine would jam the rotor. Fortunately, included in the rebore service, at no additional charge, JES modified the rotor to load, feed and function correctly with a full magazine. Looking at the modified rotor, it appears the fix was only a couple of strokes with a file where the rotor cradles the cartridge necks . It should be mentioned that some factory .308 rotors will load and feed .358 just fine too. My E as a .308W was not particularly accurate even though the chamber, bore and crown looked as perfect as Savage 99 barrels can be. After JES rebored it to a 3 groove, 1/12 twist, .358, it now shoots very close to MOA. Many groups start with two touching and the third opening the group to 1-1/4". The most amusing acquired feature is that squib loads with .38 special pistol bullets will shoot into a single .40 caliber ragged hole at 25 yds. That is better than a lot of .22 LRs can do. IIRC, there was a post in another forum thread where John Barsness explained that often rebores improves poor accuracy in some barrels because the rebore process relieves detrimental stresses in the barrel metal. I have replaced the inelegant, heavy Beech wood furniture with more graceful and lighter Walnut F buttstock and EG fore arm. The .358W E weights only 2 oz more than my .308W F. After hunting with both rifles for a couple of years, I find that I prefer to carry the E with the 20" barrel than the F with it's 22" barrel. I realize that JES is not an option for you but Is there not a rebore specialist gunsmith in Canada? If so, I see nothing obvious missing in your thinking.
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