Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Savage Collectors New Member with a Tough Decision

Hello everyone. I am a new member but a long time lurker on the Savage collectors forum. The information here is first class and the people seem to be the same. I became a 99 fan late in life after finally learning what good machined metal and wood looks like. I read this forum and searched the online sites and gun shops for my own 99 to use for deer and bear in the mountains of Virginia. I wanted an original open sighted rifle in .300 savage to use as my still hunting, bad weather gun. I found a beautiful 99 EG at shop here in Va with the brass cartridge counter, 5843xx serial number and about 90% condition with a great bore. It's not drilled and tapped, which I didn't want anyway but it doesn't have sling swivel studs either which I wanted and need because of the terrain I hunt. My dilemma is what to do for a sling. I don't mind installing studs in the stock and forend or using a barrel band but from what I read on here doing that could hurt the value. I need some input or maybe some ideas I haven't already thought of. Thanks.

Cabelas and others offer leather slings which do not require studs or swivels.

I haven't got one but I'm impressed with the all leather units I've seen that have a leather choke around the barrel just in front of the fore stock and a pocket that slips over the butt. If my gun didn't already have swivels, I'd be looking that way, especially to keep from drilling holes in a classic.

I have one like Greg S mentioned and it works well for me. I would try and leave gun as original as possible and welcome to the forum. The guys here a great and have alot of useful info that are more gracious enough to share. Some of it is even very entertaining.

I'm not seeing a dilemma..

Buy another gun that has sling studs. What more excuse do you need?

Like previously mentioned there are slings made for muzzleloading rifles that will work. Cabelas and Midway both have them. Of course Calhoun has the best solution. Welcome to another addiction. From a new addict.

Shortgrub

I'm with Rory too.

The way I have always dealt with that dilemma is to buy a gun that somebody else has already drilled.

I couldn't live with the guilt if I put the holes in the gun, but don't have a problem with buying one where somebody else has already made the decision for me.

Welcome aboard.

Randy

Allegheny 99, there is a poster on this forum who also sells on Gunbroker. He lives here in Bristol, Va. area which is in far SW Va. He has invented and is patenting a leather sling that requires no hardware. It works beautifully, locks on tightly but removes easily. It costs about $30 and although he doesn't advertise or market it yet (until patent comes through) he has them and sells them. PM me if interested and I'll put you in contact. Pictures:

http://www.levergunleather.com/p_rifle_slings.htm

Similar stuff here. You will need to scroll down a bit.

I've used leather slings that barrel slips thru and tie onto butt stock for 30 years on heavey muzzleloaders with no problems. Just check to make sure attached securely every now and then. And practice shooting with the sling on!

You'll also find a guy,Lightfoot, on this site who makes a front swivel that goes in or replaces the forestock screw--I'm sure he'll chime in shortly for you.

Plus one on the johnsavage recommendation. I ordered a sling from the guy he refers to and I love it. It is much better made and more practical than the big store versions.

It works well on my 99's as well as on my Springfield 1873 trapdoor carbines and is interchangeable and adjustable for any gun without swivels.

If you hunt with a day pack you coud get a universal gunbearer from Kifaru. It attaches to the waist belt and the pack strap. You put the stock in the part attached to the belt and put the barrel in the part attached to the shoulderstrap. it rides to your right or left side which ever you are. Instant access when you need it and hands free operations to use your binoculars without your rifle sliding off your shoulder with a traditional sling. This is the best thing ever invented. This way you don't have to drill anything and retain the cvalue of your rifle!