Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Savage Collectors Model 99 Series A .358 win

I recently came across a model 99, series A .358 Win "Brush Gun." According to the owner, the rifle has only had 5 rounds fired through it and it is in "as new condition."
This will be my first model 99. My question is this. Is a .358 Brush Gun, in near mint
condition, worthy of being a cornerstone gun in a 99 collection? I am aware of the fact that it is the earlier, pre-mil models, that are most sought after. But I am considering
this particular gun due to its chambering and alleged condition. I believe I can buy the
the rifle for somewhere in the $1500~$1300 price range. Would I be better off looking for an earlier '99 in .358, or due to price, chambering and condition, would this gun be worthy of being- My First?

Boy:

That is a loaded question. If you ask 10 Savage "experts" this question you are going to get 10 different answers.

The 358 Brush gun is not a common gun. And price considering stated condition doesn't sound out of line to me.

The gun is not that interesting to me, but to others I suspect it is extremely interesting.

And so on.

In the end you will have to decide what it is you want

They aren't making them anymore so when you find one with condition it might be unwise to pass. The ugly ones will always show up for sale. Not the nice ones. And the best of the older "more desirable models" are in collections not to be offered up very often. Your money, your choice.

I have one, bought it in 1979. I saw one in a gunshop near here about 10 years ago, it looked to be pretty pristine. The price tag was ~$1800 but they would let it go for $1400. Those are the only 2 I can think of seeing and actually holding.

Dale

I thank both of you gentleman for your replies. As both of you mentioned, clean unscathed '99s tend to be a rare item. I realize that the Brush Gun is not as popular as earlier '99s in .358. But I am thinking that if the gun is in as good of condition as the owner says it is, combined with the rare chambering, I'm going to have to get it. I've even given thought to having it restocked with a nicely figured piece of walnut and storing the original stock, just so that I would have a nice piece of wood to look at. There is a walnut blank for sale in the classifieds that I have given consideration. Again, I thank you for your imput.

I bought this F about 6 months ago for 1300.00. It’s pretty nice. It’s a 358, accurate, doesn’t have much recoil with 180 Barnes TTSX. I think you would like the brush gun.

You'll get a different opinion from everyone but I would buy it, not shoot it, not molest it in any way and go find another one for a shooter. But then I am a collector and I have a shooter 358 BG and a pristene collectable one.

Hanco, that's a nice looking rifle! It appears to have thoroughly rendered that hog
"graveyard dead." I find myself agreeing with wyo1895's opinion regarding not using or molesting the rifle. Fact is, here in ND you have to enter the draw system in order to get a tag for anything larger than a coyote and you would have to pile practically every tree
in the state into one big coulee in order to create a brush pile. So for now, I'll probably
let the "Brush Gun" rest on the sidelines. No sense in running the risk of injuring your best player if you don't need him to win the game. Heading out right now to go get the rifle. I've got to drive half way across ND to pick it up. Yesterday, the interstate was closed in the area I'm headed to due to heavy snow. Should be an interesting road trip!

good luck and post photos when you get the BG.

Yep, post pictures

I have had and sold two of these and your prices are a good reflection of the market.

Charlie

Don't know anything about the 99 but I found a 99R .358 in great shape for 1500.00 with an old Redfield tang peep sight.

Any comments?

Nothing of use if you are thinking of buying it. I have an R in 250 and 300. The 250 has been my hunting rifle for 25 or more years. I paid less than half for both of mine together than what's being asked for that one. But, that is a 358 and there is not one on every shelf.

You suck.



Redfield 70LH with rounded knobs?

Boy Howdy!

How common are the R’s and F’s in 358???

Fs show up a lot more than Rs. Neither exist in large numbers.

Thank you! I was lucky to run across that 358 F