Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Savage Collectors How to find a 99 at a fair price???

O.K. how do I find such a rifle??? <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" /> All I seem to see are what some of you refer to as gray rats at premium prices.

I look at gun shows, haunt the classifieds, pawn shops, gun shops and the few I find are in poor shape and twice the blue book. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/mad.gif" alt="" />

I don't know alot about 99's, but from lurking here all I want is a clean, brass counter, schnabel forend rifle in the common .300 Savage......without paying $500 to $600.

Is it possible???? Thanks for the soapbox!! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

You want a clean original (95%ish) 99EG in .300?

The most common model in the most common chambering.

Shouldn't be to hard to find at or below $350 anywhere in the N.E.

Since the on line auctions, and unfortunately this board to a degree, dealers think they can get the world for 99's. Some do. Hey there's a sucker born every minute. But quite a few dealers keep hauling the same junk from show to show, and each time its handled, it risks losing more value to dings and dangs, rust (there a lot of salt in hand sweat!) etc.

You've got to dicker. And have cash. If the guy will take plastic, you know you can save at least 3-5% depending on the card, right off by paying cash. Set your price and stand firm. If they say no, walk away. 99's are like buses, another one comes along on the next corner.

Well, Henry�

RAM usually knows what he�s talking about, but in this case, he�s in New Hampshire and you�re in Montana� a �fur piece�, as my old Grandpappy used to say.

I�m in Ohio� and my hunting buddy, who found my 1953 Model 99 EG in .300 Savage in 99% condition for me, lives about 20 miles north of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. And I can tell you this� you won�t find any Savage 99�s in the mid-west in �95%� condition for $350! You�d have to add at least a �C-note� to that and then, the �finding� would be difficult.

My hunting buddy found my �99� at a big regional gun show� it was the best one (condition-wise) of four 99�s offered for sale that he found at that show. He enjoys looking around at gun shows and has attended several big gun shows since. Just last week, he told me he�s never found another Model 99 in as good a condition as mine was in when he found & purchased it for me� and he sez he noticed that the prices are getting higher and higher.

Unfortunately for you, the Savage Model 99 is quickly becoming an American icon� a much sought after rifle. Yes, the prices are still pretty reasonable, but not as �reasonable� as they were a year ago. But, trust me, the prices are more reasonable NOW than they will be a year from now.

I believe your location is a big factor, too. There seems to been a lot more Model 99�s sold in the East and Northeast than in the West which might account for the lower prices up there where RAM holds sway. And he�s right about dealers trying to capitalize on the current buying frenzy that seems to be going on with Savage Model 99�s. Many of the Model 99 asking prices on the net are laughable, but the fact is� some people are willing to pay the asking price or more for those 99�s in top condition that have been languishing in rifle racks� the ones we call the �Rifle Rack Queens�.

But I can tell you that the Model 99 you want is at least another $100 higher here in the Mid-West where I live than in the East or Northeast� possibly because Mid-Westerners bought bolt-action rifles and so, you rarely see used Model 99�s offered for sale here.

If you figure the cost of an airplane ticket from Montana to New Hampshire and back to Montana again, I think it would be cheaper to just �pay-the-price� there in Montana than to fly back to New Hampshire just to buy the Model 99 you�re seeking for $350, don�t you?

Hmmmmmm� maybe RAM has a nice �99� he�d be willing to part with for $350, eh? <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />


Strength & Honor�

Ron T.

Ram & Ron,

Thanks for your responses.......Ron as I read your post the light went on and unfortunately I think you are right. I've found the same thing with Marlin lever actions.....I end up $75 to $100 over what others pay where Marlins are more common. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" /> I wish my addiction was bolt actions......there are thousands upon thousands available here in Montana.

At least now I have a name for what I want.....an early 50's EG in .300. I will keep looking.....I found a 1950 Marlin 336A (24" barrel) in .35 at a gun show last spring for only $50 more than I would have paid in the NE or down South. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

I will keep looking, save my shekels and eventually add a 99 to my gun rack......I don't need a rifle rack queen <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />, just a clean honest hunting rifle without extra holes and abuse.

Thanks, again!!!!

RAM,

Ever think of taking a trip out West. Pretty country. Load up the trunk with .300 EG's and sell them along the way. Might even be able to take orders and get some free lodging. You could pick me up on the way. Wife wolud probably be glad to get me out of the house for a while...as long as I didn't bring any of the 99's back home with me.

Rick.... <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Been somewhat west, Actually one of my "better deals" came out of Nevada. My cripy-est .308 F that I own came from Vegas. Even I <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" /> have thoughts that it may be unfired (other than factory proofing of course <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />)

Set me back almost $300. Course that's in 2001 dollars, so thats like $326.50 today!

I've found 99's to be like pretty woman. When you want one, there are none around. When you could give two schitz, you bump into them everywhere. The key is to have cash in hand when the bump occurs. (I'm not advocating "buying" women, but as most of us are aware from dealing with the "fairer sex" they seem to be attracted to cash and flash. Oh all right. Just cash. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />)

Some say its a sellers market. For me its always a buyers market. I don't let it be a sellers market ever. If I can't buy right, I don't buy.

So far its worked well, looking for another safe now <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Was at some Portland Oregon shows one and two years ago and common 99s, at that time, were quite a bit cheaper than in the Northeast. Will be there again in a few months and will see if things have changed. Not one scarce model though.

Henry,

As you've found out, 99 pricing in Montana is a bit stiff . I was through Helena today and stopped at Capital Sports. They had an EG in 300Sav with a brass rotor. It was non-factory drilled and tapped with some poor fitting weaver mounts with big gobs of epoxy between them and the receiver and some awful looking screws to hold it all together. It had the beginnings of the 99 crack in the stock and they were only asking $395.00. Quite a bargain don't you think? NOT. But based on what I see looking around, that pricing is pretty much typical and I just shake my head. I've seen several in similar condition or worse priced in that range and I'm always amazed that over time they seem to disappear. For the good 99's, I've seen the asking price start to run well into the 400's. Again, I've seen them sit for a while but eventually they go out the door. As you've seen in other posts, keep looking and be ready to deal when you find the one you want. Don't find one in the condition you want at a price you can tolerate and walk away to think it over for a couple of days. If you do, it'll be gone when you get back. Keep looking and good luck.

Good advise Bull. The thing we all have to remember is eventually they all go out the door, they must, or the dealer is out of business. Although we may have known the asking price, it doesn't always equal the selling price.
Since usually the dealer has less than half the asking price into a used gun, they have a lot of wiggle room. Changes of seasons, inventory turns and finance charges work on all retailers. Most people are aware of this with...say, car dealers for example. But the same stategies apply to most all retail. Furniture, appliances, lumber, carpeting, boats, snowmobiles, foodstuffs......

Well enough for Economics 101. If Y'all feel obliged, I wouldn't be offended by tips <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> Send them to me, in care of the board Rick get his 10% handling fee!

Bull Elk,

Good advice......A few years ago I was looking at a 1950's Marlin 336A at Capital sports, it had very little blueing left, stock shortened etc, a tired rifle in other words and they still wanted $325 for it. Move that rifle to the midwest and it's $200 or less.

Ram and others thanks again and I'll have money in hand and jump when the right 99 presents itself. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Hi Henry. You may also want to consider an ad in your local Little Nickel paper (or whatever they call it in your part of the country). Lots of guys who own guns check the guns for sale section and I have run a handful of ads the past two years for a 250 or 300 savage, and picked up two nice .300 EG's, and passed up a number that weren't so nice. The latest was 95% with no D&T or sling swivels for $350. And this in the Seattle area where people are afraid of things that go bang, so don't despair, the guns are out there. I just hope you aren't searching for a lever gun in the Miles City part of that Big Country you are in!

You may also want to run an ad in the nickel papers in the forested country around Coeur d' Alene or Spokane and prepare to do a little traveling if you get a hit. You would probably still be ahead of dealers and gun show prices.

Both folks I bought off of were older fellows, slowly unloading their collections, and happy to sell to a guy who appreciated the gun. And RAM is right, decent prices can still be had as not everyone sets their price by Auction Arms. Good luck in your search.

Tony

Henry,

What you've got to do, and its easier said than done these days, is find a seller that is actually interested in selling rather than holding out for top dollar no matter how long it may take. There are a lot of folks with real dogs out there that think they're investors and are out to maximize their investment and just know that sooner or later some fool with actually pay their inflated price. I saw a 99G in .300 with a Weaver K2.5 60B in Stith mounts with excellent wood and case color and about 98% blue at a show a month or so ago that was priced at $475. Doesn't sound too bad until we talk about the 98% blue. It only applies to the receiver. Someone had painted the barrel with black spray paint for some reason and then either the perp or someone else had tried to take the paint back off with about 100 grit sandpaper. The bore didn't look too bad so I made him a reasonable offer based on its value as a shooter. He wouldn't budge a penny because he just knew that it was a gun with great collector value and I was just trying to take advantage of him and chisel him down. His son was working the table with him and seemed willing to deal but Dad was convinced that he owned a gold mine and someone was trying to steal it. You can't fight that. All you can do is keep on walking until you find someone who really wants to sell.

Tony,

You know that very thing(run an ad), has crossed my mind before and from your experience sounds like it could be a real winner! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> Thanks for a great suggestion.

Spokane/Coeur d' Alene is 3 hours to the west of me and might also be a great area to place an ad......we head that way a couple of times a year anyway.

Skidrow,

You're right......have to find someone that wants to sell.......have a friend in Arizona that watches snowbirds pay way too much all the time. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" /> So lots of people with junk guns are hoping for the same dunderheads with deep pockets.

Again thanks to all......have gotten great advice and learned a bunch.

Henry--

Did you look at the 99 EG .300 that's at Capital Sports right now? At least it was late last week, and has been there for a month or so. It's mostly in very good shape, but has been drilled and tapped and somebody stuck the rear Weaver base on with JB Weld. (Must have been real worrried about something....) Price is $400 and I didn't notice if it was their rifle or a consignment, so don't know if they'd dicker. But it looked good to me, and the rear-base problem would be easy to fix. I'd have bought it myself but have some 99's already and am leaving for Africa tomorrow. Need all the trophy-fee money I can spare....

I don't think 99's are high-priced in the west. There aren't as many as back East, true, and many have been used hard. But I bought a very nice EG .300 in a pawn shop in Gillette, Wyoming a couple years back for $375 (hadn't been drilled or tapped, and there weren't even sling swivels, I mean 100% factory) and a buddy got a super nice one at the Bozeman gun show last spring, complete with Stith mount and nice 2.5x Alaskan, for $550. They are there if you just keep looking.

Good luck,
Another Montana 99er

I tried to send you some photos of two very nice 99's like you describe, but your mail address does not work, and it was returned to me as undeliverable!!!

Mule Deer,

Good luck on your Africa trip. I heard a rumor that you've bought up all the available Savage 99's in 358 Win west of the Mississippi, is this true? No wonder I can't find one under a grand! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

BigBullet

Dave O.,



My e-mail looks correct ballen@mission.blackfoot.net I get lots of e-mail <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" /> so it should be working.



Mule Deer,



Have not been to Helena recently......am looking for a more original condition 99. Thanks for the heads up.