Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Savage Collectors 99 Model, Year, Cleaning, Book?

Hi,

It appears that when I get a new gun I have to join another forum...

I picked up a Savage 99E 308 today for $350 and am interested in learning anything anyone is willing to tell me about it. From my searches I believe it's a DL (what does DL mean?) from the 50's.

The serial is: D8567##, has a rounded forearm, Monte Carlo stock, stamped checkering, no counter, a lever safety and I haven't found the boss/circle stamp mark.

I have never used a bore snake--are they as good as a rod, brush and patches? It has been recommended putting a case in the chamber while cleaning, this would be if I used a rod, correct?

How do I know if I should take it to a smith for a thourough cleaning?

Lastly, what is a good book on the history of 99s? I am not looking for anything technical but an easy reading history of the rifle.

Thanks,

Bob

Look above at the post "Misc Good stuff" read down until you come to a book by Doug Murray. It's 30.00 and he will autografe it for you. this book will tell you the history of the Savage 99, and show each different model and data on all the modlels. Right now it's the best book on the 99. I've never used a bore snake, always a rod to clean my guns. Don't put an empty cartridge in the chamber when cleaning, might get the patch stuck inside the case. If you have a rifle vice that will hold your rifle while cleaning, turn your rifle upside down so the lever is open and pointing up. this will keep solvents and oil from getting down in the action. Hope this helps, and welcome to the board. Chip

Welcome! Can't help ya date it, but hang around for a bit and somebody will chime in with a year.

The 99E was made from 1960 onwards, not sure the last year they catalogued them. If it says 99E on it, then it's a model 99E and NOT a 99dL. The 99E is distinctive in that it has the lever safety, internal rotary magazine, and no cartridge counter window on the left side. It's often referred to as the last decent 99, since it still has the rotary mag and the lever safety.

It is the economy model of the later years, and you picked it up for a perfectly fair price. Had one myself for a while, they're good shooters and will definitely get the job done.

Be warned.. one Savage 99 is NEVER enough!!

Wander over to www.savagela.org and view all the different models in the pics section to get a feel for the history of the 99. And when you drop a deer with it this fall, take a pic or two and bring it back to us. That's our price for free info.

Thanks for the info.. Hope someone replies with the exact year.

I was basing the age on guns' with serials in the 800,000s. What makes it an "economy model"--stamped checkering, no counter? I believe the stock is walnut, not sure though.

What was the last year they were made?

Lastly, I keep reading about the EG, what makes it so special?

Thanks again,

Bob

The 800,000 series (very few exist, actually) were pre-1960. Your rifle is actually a D series, which is post-1960. Not sure when they stopped making 99E's..

Economy because it had no embellishments. Cheaper stocks, no cartridge window, lever safety (though most prefer that). Wait until you get Murray's book.. it spells out all the differences.

D8567xx = 1981 , I think ,if I am wrong I am sure someone will come along & correct me.
Mr Murray says the E was discontinued in 1984.

Mike

Why is it so hard to age these rifles? Dates of manufacture for Marlins can be found on Wikipedia!

Thanks for the help,

Bob

I guess I won't know what kind of deal I got until I found when it was made, correct?

thanks again,

Bob

dogbark, you got a quality hunting rifle for $350.. you got a good deal. Not a GREAT deal, but that rifle around here would have been selling for $400-$450.

The 99's aren't too tough to date if it was made from 1899 through 1949 (www.savage99.com will give it to ya), and pretty easy to do from 1950 to 1970. It's the post-70's that get tricky because Savage changed how they assigned serial numbers and it's not documented anywhere. A few people have dates, but they went to a lot of work to find that information out and all ya have to do is ask nice..

It's especially tough this week because some of the folks with those numbers are travelling to NY for a Savage collector's fest. So they're not home with their reference books.

This forum is the "Wikipedia" of the Savage world , You can get your 99s date of manufacture here , just ask it's that easy.

Mike

A year or few is not going to make much difference in the value , not with an E anyway.You got a good deal, unless it's a rustbucket.

Mike

The guy I bought it from said it was from the 60's, I was thinking 50's, now the 80's has been suggested. Wow!

I just want to know my gun's birthdate. Is everyone in agreement on 1981??

Thanks for all the help.

What do you guys think about fmj Wolf ammo for target practice?
Know of any good sources for decent cheap ammmo?

Thanks again,

Bob

The best dating for post 1970 rifles is rick99, mad_dog, and Violater22. They have the files! But from what they have dated for me I can tell you the following:

I have 2 starting with B one dated 1972, the other 1974.
I have 2 starting with C one dated 1977, the other 1978.
I have 2 starting with D one dated 1980 (D450,XXX) the other one 1981 (D728,xxx)
I have 1 starting with E dated 1982

Blair

Has it got a grooved forearm ?

Mike

Mike,

Yes, If you mean where one's fingers grip the forearm.

Bob

Bob, yes that is what I meant , finger grooves. The Monte Carlo buttstock and finger groove forearm made their debut on the 99E in 1981 and (I assume) were standard until the E was discontinued in 1984.

Mike

Mike,

Great!

Thanks for figuring it out.

I wonder how the guy who sold it to me will react.

Bob