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Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 148
Campfire Member
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OP
Campfire Member
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 148 |
I've scoured this forum and others but haven't discovered any references to modifications of a 99 resulting in a "trapper" length barrel. I hunt black bear with hounds in the Appalachian mts often in steep, rocky, thickets where only the foolhardy and stubborn will enter. The ideal gun for this scenario is light, reliable, short, and pushing enough bullet to quickly dispatch a bear so as to prevent them from doing damage to the hounds. My firearm of choice for the last several years has been a post 64 Winchester 94 trapper in 30-30 with the 16.25" barrel. Lately, I've been thinking of upgrading to a more powerful round. I've been dreaming of short barrel Savage in 358 win or 375 win. Since these chamberings seem to be out of my price range given scarcity and collector interest I think the more common 300 sav. or 308 win are better options. So I have a few questions:
1. Did Savage ever offer a super short barrel version of the 99?
2. Assuming the answer to 1 is no I will be looking at shortening the barrel of an existing beater, likely a 99E. Has anyone ever done this or run into such a beast? How much would a short ( say 16.5") barrel affect balance?
3. My 94 weighs in right at 6 lbs and I'd like to get down to something close to that. I considered a modifying a marlin 35 into a "maurader" ( a real maurader is far to $$$) but think the Marlins might be a bit too heavy for my liking. Any idea what a 99 modified as described above might weight?
Any other words of advice?
Many thanks!
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Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 32,029
Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 32,029 |
Have you considered one of the Mossberg 464 Bushguns in 30-30?
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Joined: May 2011
Posts: 56,125
Campfire Kahuna
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Campfire Kahuna
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 56,125 |
I have a buddy chopped a 300. He didn't start with an original gun. Seems to like it just fine. These are my Trappers. 16" .358 and 18" .375. Both have had the straight levers swapped for curved, and 1940's-50's wood installed. I like the curved pistol grip better for a Trapper so it can hang in your hand easier. I shoot them a bit, and use them for bear hunting here in Oregon.
_______________________________________________________ An 8 dollar driveway boy living in a T-111 shack
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Campfire Kahuna
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Campfire Kahuna
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 56,125 |
If I were you I might consider a 308 99F lightweight. You may not want to shorten the barrel at all, load it up with 200 grain bullets and hang on tight.
_______________________________________________________ An 8 dollar driveway boy living in a T-111 shack
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Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 1,545
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 1,545 |
I have a 99 E in 300 Savage. It has a factory 20" barrel. You might consider one of those.
NRA Endowment Life Member, G.O.A supporter
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Joined: Sep 2009
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Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 7,280 |
As Roy said, I'd get a 50s vintage 99F and not look back. You could even get one in 300 and maybe avoid the premium a 308 might command. I'm not so sure there's enough actual performance difference between the 300 and 308 to be too concerned with.
"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: Oct 2002
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Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Oct 2002
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Heres some pictures of an "E" in 300 with a 20" barrel,i put a "G" buttstock on and a "EG" forearm on made it a nice looking little rifle. I dont see why one couldn't shorten the barrel a bit if they wanted to. Don
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Joined: Oct 2011
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Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
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You might luck out and find one of these. 99F in 308. When I bought it real cheap it had an external bulge on the barrel and ring around the inside of the bore just behind the front sight. I had a friend shorten the barrel to 18 1/2 " and recrown the muzzle. I have since installed an aftermarket straight stock and matching lever. It shoots pretty good groups.
Last edited by wyo1895; 12/29/18.
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]
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Joined: May 2011
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Campfire Kahuna
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Campfire Kahuna
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 56,125 |
David, I think that's how a guy ought to do it if at ll possible, find a gun with a flaw that shortening actually fixes. Cutting up an original that doesn't have any issues just isn't right.
Last edited by Fireball2; 12/29/18.
_______________________________________________________ An 8 dollar driveway boy living in a T-111 shack
LOL
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Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
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I sure wouldn't cut up an original
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]
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Joined: Nov 2005
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Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 22,988 |
Interesting concept. Not sure that it's my cup of tea, but you guys have caught my attention.
I think if I were tangled up in an environment as described by the OP, with the prospect of shooting black bears at distances measured in feet, I would seriously consider a heavy revolver instead of a rifle. And hand grenades. A 6" Smith in .44 or .45 will put the kibosh to Br'er Bear and leave one's hands free to wrestle with the flora and fauna. For me though it is purely theoretical as frankly I would prefer to read about y'all's exploits while sitting in an easy chair with a glass of whiskey. My days of extreme sport are behind me.
"I have clinched and closed with the naked north, I've learned to defy and defend. Shoulder to shoulder we've fought it out, But the wilds must win in the end." Robert Service
Last edited by gnoahhh; 12/29/18.
"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: Mar 2015
Posts: 362
Campfire Member
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Campfire Member
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 362 |
If you don’t need it to be a lever gun you could find a savage 170 carbine with the 18” barrel, I saw one yesterday at a show,not as cool as a 99 though
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Joined: Oct 2011
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Campfire Tracker
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You've got a good point about a handgun. The few times I went bear hunting here. (the bait was 40 yards away) I packed a trusty Cimmarron Thunderer in 45 LC loaded as hot as a SSA could go. I was hunting with a 358 brushgun. The Thunderer was backup. The plan was if I put one down I'd approach him with the Thunderer cocked and pointed at him or for any other eventuality such as wounding ole bruin and running out of 358's as he charged the blind. I didn't have the short barreled 308 F then. If I go bear hunting again I will take it loaded with 220 grain partitions.
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]
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Joined: May 2011
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Campfire Kahuna
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Campfire Kahuna
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 56,125 |
If you don’t need it to be a lever gun you could find a savage 170 carbine with the 18” barrel, I saw one yesterday at a show,not as cool as a 99 though Where's the flog button? *push push push push*
Last edited by Fireball2; 12/29/18.
_______________________________________________________ An 8 dollar driveway boy living in a T-111 shack
LOL
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Joined: May 2011
Posts: 56,125
Campfire Kahuna
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Campfire Kahuna
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 56,125 |
_______________________________________________________ An 8 dollar driveway boy living in a T-111 shack
LOL
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Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 6,486
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
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99A's in 375 came with 22" barrels. That one has been shortened. Nothing collectible but would be a good bear gun. I don't see anything wrong with taking a few more inches off the barrel.
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]
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Joined: May 2011
Posts: 56,125
Campfire Kahuna
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Campfire Kahuna
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 56,125 |
Perfect candidate for the OP's trapper project, except for the price. I sold a mint 99A in 375 about two years ago for $1200. I paid $500 for the Brushgun I chopped to 18" and restocked. The last few inches of the barrel had no bluing (sanded off) and was missing the sight.
_______________________________________________________ An 8 dollar driveway boy living in a T-111 shack
LOL
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Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
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I’m probably alone in this but cut down 99s look just like that to me. Where’s the front sight? Something’s not right. Of course as a tool then who cares.
"The universal aptitude for ineptitude makes any human accomplishment an incredible miracle." John Stapp - "Stapp's Law" "Klaatu barada nikto"
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Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
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They do look kinda funny without a front sight but since I can't see the darn things I decided not to bother with putting one on my F. I learned at about age 14 that a low power scope worked better than iron sights in low light anyway.
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]
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Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
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Here is a pic of the 99F 18 1/2" barrel with the straight stock and compact Leupold 2 1/2X
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]
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