Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Savage Collectors 99 Carrier Identification

Is it possible to identify what cartridge a carrier is for? I want to find one for a .250, for a rifle I have that won't cycle correctly but a lot of the ones I find for sale don't say what they're for. I'm out of things to try on this gun and about the last thing I can think of is swapping out the carrier with one I know is correct, without having to take apart another gun to do it.

I don't know of any foolproof way to ID the various carriers except for some of the obvious ones like a .38-55 or the handfull of ones that are stamped. The .303, 22HP and .30-30 stand out but are hard to tell from one another. When you get to the .300 and .250 you can match a cartridge case to the body of the carrier and check for fit. Once the Winchester cartridges came along it got even muddier.

Are there other things about the gun that make you doubt if the carrier is correct?

Nothing else makes me think the carrier is wrong other than it not feeding how it should. It does work with 4 rounds in the magazine but even then it doesn't feel right. I've adjusted the the rotor in every position with no luck. At lower tension the cases feel like they are loose, for lack of a better explanation, but it might be there just isn't enough tension to push them up ( it's kind of a PITA to get them out again at lower tensions ). Higher tensions they are hard to insert and I can't even get 4 in. The .250 round seem to fit the rotor okay when I have it out but I'm not really sure how to tell if they fit correctly. If I had to wager, it seems like they do fit. I took your suggestion about checking if the carrier is hitting on something when it gets past the 4th cartridge and it doesn't seem to be. Basically I'm running out of ideas. I've adjusted rotor tension on other 99s and they feed fine so I'm really puzzled as to what the issue is.

What is the SN range?

201,xxx. Not sure why I shouldn't include the last 3 but everyone says not to.

I have a 243E that would not feed. I adjusted and finally replaced the rotor, still wouldn't feed. I changed the cartridge guide and it was like magic. It feeds great.

Mike

I'm assuming you are referring to the rotary magazine, and not the cartridge guide, comparison to the desired cartridge is your best bet and only conclusive ID. Here is a visual comparison of other rotors, g(L)ifted from another member,


...blind test














...some of the answers!

Doesn't really look exactly like any of those, 300 maybe?

WTH is that filed out where the screw holds the rotor in place? That's gunna be a problem!

Didn't notice that... Just looked again and one of them is larger than the rest.

There's one on GB that looks similar to one of the .250s in the photo that JeffG posted but all cartridges are not represented. I'm not sure if I want to gamble $68 on it being the correct one.


Edit: looks like numrich has one.

damnesia, you don't need the rotor, you just need the cap. Call Lightfoot and see if he's got a part for you.

I doubt the filed spindle head slot is the culprit. That's 1 of 4 so just make sure the screw engages one of the 3 good ones. I have replacements on hand.

I don't have the .250 carrier or I'd send you one. Numrich might have one. At least with them you can return it without too much hassle. https://www.gunpartscorp.com/products/969650

I remember those pics but neglected to copy them. Are those Gene's?

Mike doesn't that look like the right rotor to you? I bet the cartridge guide is wonky.

Yes, it looks like a .250 alright. The cartridge slot in the first and second pics looks a little odd but I think it's just the angle of the pic.

You know what, I looked again, and I wonder if that isn't a 243 rotor?

*nix that, wrong font on the numbers, it's an old one. Gotta be a 250.

Here's some I have marked, not sure if this helps or not.

Roy, wouldn't be easier to store your rifles assembled?

Do we know if the oversized notch is the one that was being use?

If you rotate to the next, in either direction, how much will it effect the feed?

I'm not a parts guy, but seem to remember that the stem screw/bolt has left hand threads...?

The left hand threads are just on the spindle lock nut.

That's it. Thanks.