All -

I have a 1963 Savage 99 pre-drilled for scope mounts.

1. What year did factory drill mounts start?

2. What kind of mounts should I look to fit?

Always used iron sights...but my eyes are not what they used to be. So looking to mount a 3-9×40

EM

I believe it was 1951 or 52 for factory drilled.

Leupold 1 piece base works, but not my favorite.
Weaver bases work.

Recently picked up an early 50's 99 that was drilled at the factory and came with a classic Weaver 4x in a Weaver tipoff mount. It is a Christmas present for a grandson, and as it is very accurate, will leave it as purchased for the time being.

The knowledgeable people are in the Savage collectors forum down below. All I can say for sure is my 1952 EG isn't drilled and tapped for scope mounts. If it has the roll stamp on top it wasn't drilled at the factory. Roll stamp on the side it was.

Weaver make a 2-piece set of bases.

Tasco used to make a 1-piece base for Weaver-style rings.

Leupold makes and Redfield used to make a 1-piece base for turn-in rings.

I prefer to use the Tasco BM-99 1-piece base with Warne Maxima rings on my 99s that have been factory d&t. Tasco BM-99s regularly show up on eBay for under $10.

Two piece Weaver bases and old style Weaver low rings work very well for Leupold M8 4X, Weaver K4 etc very nicely.

My circa ‘66 came with Weaver tip off mounts and a Leupold M8 4x on it. Works so well I can’t justify upgrading to modern hardware and optics. You can find all this stuff on eBay.

Weaver number 14 and 19 bases, Burris Signature Zee Rings. They look great! Burris make offset inserts if you need to shim. I had two that I ran out of windage. The offset inserts corrected that issue.

Another vote for Weaver 2 piece bases and Burris Rings. I had a one piece Leupold base on mine but I found it made for less room in the loading area. Plus mine was a 358, I couldn't keep the rear ring tight on the base with that clamp arrangement. Pitched the Leupold, put Weavers on and have been satisfied ever since.

Dale

This one was made in 1950. It was D&T before I got it. The Weaver 4x is in Redfield rings & one piece base. I don't have a problem with it but a two piece base will give a little more room when loading.
You may find the stock is a little low when using a bigger scope like the 3x9x40.

That's a nice hunting rifle you have there, NJ

I have a 1953 EG that isn't factory drilled and tapped and a 1954 EG that is. Also have multiple lates 50's F's that are all factory D&T. I think all model F's were. Except of course the real early ones, pre WW2.

I had many Leupold windage adjustable bases. I shucked all of them, went to Talley bases and rings in my bolt guns.

I’ve got a older 3x9 Weaver that would be perfect for that rifle

My 1957 f model was D&T. It wears Leupold base and 2x7 scope. It's chambered in 308 Win. I chose the 2x7 to keep it low to the barrel and stock. 2x is great for woods and 7x is more than enough for 350 yards. It fast handling and I can acquire the sights without a thought.