Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Savage Collectors I need a .250 barrel

So if that is the case, and i do want to re-barrel it, I should be looking for a 300 Sav barrel?

I am not much for wall-hangers or guns that are put in a safe or a closet. My 99's all look primo, and I do shoot them, but gently. I use a 75th Anniv in 308 as my newest hunting gun. Except that it is a bit clunky, and heavy, it is a nice conversation piece.

I am thinking of taking he crescent butt-plate, and the gaudy brass-coated lever, and having Doug Turnbull case-color them, so it does not look like a gun that a pimp would use any more.

I don't care if it makes it not collectable to somebody else. I want to use it and have it look good. Hell, my kids will no doubt split up my friggin collection any way (someday), and if I am lucky, they won't sell it off in pieces so they can buy video games. Ouch!

You are correct, we only have custody of them for a while.

Regarding Squeeler's comments, note that he mentions the .243 does not work correctly in the rotor. The degree to which it does not work is unclear to me.

Can an entire magazine full be loaded?

Not sure but it might be like trying a 284 case in a 308 rotor,probaly a no go.I tried different combinations when this topic came up years ago when I had guns of most of these calibers,but I forgot what worked and what didn't.Have fun.Being it's a 250 or 300 the machined slot in the receiver for the ejector will not accept a 308 or 243 ejector so it's not going to work ,I remember that.

I've read through Callahan's letter a couple times. What we know for sure is the rifle was shipped in May, 1956 and the .243 was introduced in the M99F in 1956. It is pure speculation that it may have been built in 1955.

It is also speculation that it was a factory error. The letter clearly states it was shipped as a .243.

I also think it is a leap to transfer information from a letter for a different SN rifle to the one in question.

Get it lettered and get over it.

Lightfoot, the letter IS for my gun.

It WAS made to be a.243.

At the time I described a 250 & 300 ejector to Ralph as compared to a 308 and he said it was the former.Obviously they screwed a 243 barrel on a receiver from the wrong bin.I guess when they test fire they only use one shell.

I think if it were my rifle I would sell it (and the letter) to someone who considered it collectable. And probably more than one person would consider it so.

I think it would be more accurate to state is was made as a .243; but the whole point here is that was their error vs. their intention.

The SN in the letter is different from your posts. That's a little confusing...

As to what the factory intended - I guess we will never know for sure.

Did I type it in wrong somewhere?
I compared it twice, same number on gun as in letter.

No doubt, the factory intended something other than what happened, or some employee was disgruntled and wanted to put a wrench into the works.

I am not comfortable selling this, as it was a gift from a friend.

I would spin a 300 savage barrel on it in a second, if I could find the right one. Must have that swelled area at sights dovetail.

Maybe I'm missing something here, but wouldn't an easy solution be to get a custom die set made? Do a 243-300, or a 243-250, and enjoy it.

I'm thinking the rotor is to short for any of the winchester cases,no matter what you necked them to. Don

Nope, the barrel is chambered for the 243 cartridge, but a full length 243 won't load and feed with the rotor. Necking the 300 Savage down to 243 would create something that doesn't fit the chamber in the barrel, and may not seal upon firing, and that's a BAD thing.


I'd leave it as is. Doesn't sound like you're out of money, and it's now one of those legends of the campfire. Buy a 2nd 99F in 300 Savage to go with it, they are pretty cheap since everybody drools over the 243's/250's/308's.

Here's the letter.

Geez, I knew that... Something didn't seem right when I was typing; my 14 month old twins got me up at 4am, 4:20am, 5am, and 5:30am, so it's been a long day... I think I will back away from the keyboard for now.

If it was made to be a .243 then its a .243. Does it letter as a .243? So far you seem to say yes. Shut up and eat your mush. It is what it is. Just for sh1ts and giggles let it be known that post mil carriers are the same for .243, 250-3000, .300 Sav and .308 Win. Since the post mil carriers are the same length as the pre-mil Winchester caliber carriers all you should need is a shorter bolt stop. That will let the bolt come far enough back to make it work with the Winchester calibers if it is in fact a .243.

Can you imagine how many people that gun was owned by thru the year's being that it doesn't work.Hey buddy,know anybody looking for a deer rifle cheap must have been said many times.I wonder why the first couple of idiot's never sent it back to Savage?

Your one of them thinkin fells George, Otta be able to pull the stock and the bolt stop to try it.

99fever, In the previous post about this gun you stated 773,xxx as the SN.

FWIW, Ralph was a hoot to spend a weekend with at the fest in Ohio.

If you shorten or pull the bolt stop on those newer receivers the aluminum cartridge follower and little coil spring will fly out!!!!! ask me how i know !!!!!

Some of the folks here walk and talk with Callahan. Can we find out how many of the 7xx guns might have gone out as .243s??

Was this a 1 time screwup or did they think it was all good??

A little help...