Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Savage Collectors Savage 99C - Weatherby Premier scope

I just got this 1951 Model 99C from a fellow out in California. He decided to sell it because he doesn't hunt anymore due to age. Does anyone have experience with these Weatherby scopes? This one is a Premier 3-9x40. I can't decide whether to keep it or put a new one on and sell it.

Can't help you with the scope but that is not a 99"C" clip model. Looks like it could be an EG or possibly an R if 1951. Check the date code on the lever pivot point. A = 1949, B= 1950, C=1951 etc. Skip "O" and "Q". Looks like a nice rifle.

According to Stroebel, the Premier 3-9 is worth 350-550 bucks! It was built from 1974-1984 and is perceived to be high quality. It doesn't say who built them.

Looks like you have a postwar R. What's the SN range on it?

Looks like an EG to me.

Yes, I see what you mean now. What I thought was a "C" seems to be some tooling marks. I have included a picture because it's tough for me to read, but from the picture it looks like a "2-3I" - does that make any sense? Maybe I've got the darned thing upside down...

The serial number is 933159 - When I looked it up on the Savage99 website it said that it was made 1951 or later.

Checkering wraps underneath the forearm, so it's a 99F. Bet it says 99F on the barrel also.

The I means it was made in 1957.

Well I'll be dipped if you didn't peg it! I found the model 99F on the barrel under the Steel Forged stamping. The lettering was so small I missed it. Guess my eyes aren't what they used to be.

So two questions answered for the price of one. You folks sure are a big help. I'm really glad that I joined this forum. Thanks very much for your help!

That's a lot more than I expected for the scope. It's in really good shape - hardly a scratch on it. I think the old gentleman who owned it took exceptional care of it when he was in the field. Here's a picture of what the reticule looks like - interesting design.

It looks kind of bulky to me, but my scope of choice for 99Fs is the Leupold 2-7x33 with a heavy duplex reticle, attached via the mounts of your choice.

So, is it in .308 Win? Very nice gun, sounds like you got a deal on a scope too.

Ah, that's a 'WideView' style that everybody popped up with in that era. Didn't seem to catch on really well though.

Stroebel's valuations can be way off. I did find one on ebay that went as high as $299 and others that went for $150 and less.

I'd shoot it and see how it works out. It is pretty bulky for the F though.

The sight picture is definitely different on this scope. Not what I'm used to, and I agree that Leupold makes great glass. My main concern with a vintage scope is that there's not much information about the coating processes that were used back then, at least not for this brand. I don't know yet how well it would do in low light.

Yes, it is a .308 Winny. Being older (just found out it was made in '57) it has the rotary magazine instead of the box.

Lightfoot, were you talking about the Redfield wideview or was there other makes as well? When I looked at the picture thats what I thought as it appears to look just like the 3x9 Redfield lowpro scopes.

If that is the case I believe it would be considered a 40mm objective. I like the 2 that I have but the eye relief seems more touchy than some but still a very good scope. As far as low light, I think there pretty good but everybody's opinion on this can be different.

Yes, Redfield, Weaver, Tasco and others had that wideview for a few years.

According to Stroebel the Premier had coated lenses and the constantly centered reticle and an anti fogging treatment. Made in Japan I beleive which is a good thing for scopes from back then.

Take it out back this evening and find out.

Good scope for the era, but like others who posted I would look for something a bit more svelte although the 308 can be loaded to take advantage of the longer range shooting that a 3-9x can accomodate. To sell the scope look for the Weatherby Collectors forum. I used that forum to re sell an old MAuser Actioned Roy Weatherby original I had once upon a time. At a gunshow that scope might bring $150 or so, the WBY collectors guys would likely pay a bit more.

Try the scope out for a while, not terribly out of place on a 308.