I recently acquired a beautiful piece of history and a great rifle. The serial numbers are 9032xx but the boss code is hard to make out. The inspector number is perhaps 17 and possibly a C is stamped beside this number. It appears to have been drilled and tapped for a scope from the factory. It has the barrel band and the factory rear sight and the stock has not been cut with the butt plate and wood with matching numbers. Can you tell me some more about this rifle?

Thanks, in advance!

Nice.

The rifle has sling studs that was not possibly from the factory?

No factory sling studs although it is nearly impossible to find even a minty post war F without them

It is a post war F made from 55-59 or so. C boss code would make it 1951. Not possible in this case

55 is G
56 is H
57 is I
58 is J
59 is K

Factory D&T

Made in 1955, first year the Winchester cartridges (243/308/358) in any 99 were produced, as well as the intro of the model 99F. There was a change to the internals to handle these longer cartridges, and so 99’s in these cartridges started at serial number 900,000. 99F’s/Eg’s/R’s in 300 Savage and 250-3000 continued to be produced with serial numbers in the 700,000 range simultaneously for a while.

Very popular with collectors and hunters. All Winchester cartridge 99’s will be factory d&t for scope bases.

The Boss code was not evenly hit ......so maybe the G is the letter that would fit this rifle!

Most likely a poorly struck G

I plan on using this rifle for what it was made to do! I have tremendous respect for classic rifles, as well as collectors, but as long as I'm capable of stompin the woods.......I will use them as their purpose. I have fired this rifle three times with factory open sights and haven't missed the mark yet. I plan to top off with a small optic glass for my woodlots.

Bring back some pics when you get it out in the field. Always appreciate seeing these guns being used.

I would love to find a rifle like this.

I have been looking for a NICE model 99 for some time......one that hasn't looked like it been thrown off a cliff, been beat over some rocks, completely without blueing etc.etc. But I have to say....if they are still in circulation.....they must still work!

i have a post mil F (by about 60 units) in 308. sweet handling and deer killing machine.
most folks complain about the recoil of the 308 in the F , but i just can't feel it.
onelostsoul, we need pictures!
pic of mine

I agree with recoil.........I thought it was very pleasant and could not wait to cycle the next round to fire!

Oh mercy, you two are gunna start a riot! Ever-body here knows the 99F in 308 kicks the ever lovin snot outa ya!

I do think that pre mill Fs deliver more punishment than post mills. No scientific proof but that is my personal opinion.

Just load it with 150s to 2650fps, you’ll drop anything south of Canada, and you won’t beat up yourself or the rifle.

I really want to test that opinion!
would love to pick up a pre-mil.
shot my F 308 60 rounds today . went to pay it some attention after posting here about it and decided it needed a different scope mounted on it. of course then i had to sight it in. got carried away i guess. got it putting 168g CT silver tips into .75 inch for 5 shots. think i made the right move with the new scope!

I was stuck on OP's description stating "barrel band", and thought this must be a neat one-off custom(!!)..., then I sent tinkerbell home...

Sounds like a good 99F find, good for you!

I bought these two not too long ago, I guess they are F’s. One is a 308 and the other is a 358. The 308 is a 9456xx serial number. I forgot to write down the serial number of the 358. They both shoot very well especially the 358. I wish I had discovered 99’s when I was younger. I learned about them from you fellas, Fireball2 sold me my first one. He told me they were addictive. He wasn’t bullcshitting about that. The 308 has no sling.

I have a 99F 308Win that I acquired a few months ago, to bring my collection to three. The LBC is an H, which makes it the same year of manufacture as me, 1956. I find that very cool! The serial # is 9134XX. In David's book, on page 84. it lists start serial #'s for that year at 7731XX, and the start # for '57 at 927489. That seems a bit curious to me. Did Savage actually produce 150,000 99's that year, or is there some other explanation?

Savage modified the magazine to allow for the longer .308 cartridge. The serial number incorporating that change started at 900K. They skipped most of the 800K range and whatever was left in the 700K range.

Yep. They were making 99F's in the 700,000's for 250-3000 and 300 Savage at the exact same time they were making 99F's in the 900,000 range for 243/308/358.

I wonder what the ratio of Savage calibers to Winchester calibers was, post 900,000-pre 1,000,000?

Mike and Rory, Thanks for the responses and the education.

I pulled off the stock today and seen the same stamp on the bottom of the receiver, that matched the butt plate, and as well as the stock. Was all of them manufactured the same way? I was told they started with hardened steel..........that meant alot of steel ended up the floor.

That is the assembly #. Should be on the lower left tang, forend, buttplate, and buttstock.

Also have hand written lettering showing inside of stock.....like initials?

They didn't start with hardened steel. They started with a big fat soft steel billet and machined away everything that wasn't 99, and then heat treated it.

this is onelostsouls 308

ever notice how the fore arm wood is always lighter on some of these?

This is a rifle that I'm thankful to own, and plan on putting to work in the near future. I was just looking for more knowledge to pass on to the next generation!

Thanks for the knowledge and the input!

don't let it get lonely! there are more out there.

I use to see them in every sporting good store you stepped into.......not so much anymore?

I'm glad we have this tool today to still communicate about classic rifles and hopefully move them forward to the next generation!

Thanks...

I'm looking for glass recommendations for this classic rifle for woodlot hunting? I seen the leupolds and redfields? I was wondering about the ring length, and fit with weaver style mounts?

Straight 4x scope for me. I have a Leupold 4x on one and a Weaver 4x on another 99F.

First choice for me = Leupold 2.5-8x

Second choice = Leupold 2-7x

Third choice = Leupold 4x

I wouldn't make an argument against any of those.

I've had many 99's in Weaver mounts with no problems, but I prefer the Redfield or Leupold one piece base and matching rings.

Just me.

I mounted a 2.5x8 Leupold on my Savage 99 - 284 Win. i think that is a good size scope for a 99 for a older person like me to see better with.

up till about 4 years ago i would see one or the other at the local pawn shop every week . only had one other collector here in town but he died about 15 years ago.
now a day's its months between them. the most common to show up for some reason are the 50's F's. with the post mil F's coming in second. and most of those in 308.

I like the Leupolds. Usually get 3-9x for myself, but have to admit I like looks of the 2-7x best.

Nothing wrong with the Weaver base but I'd opt for the newer Grand Slam style rings vs the old standard style. Much easier to get the scope rotated into position.

I recently mounted one of the Redfield Revolution 2-7x scopes on an EG using Weaver bases. I had to use an extension ring on the front in order to move the scope back far enough to get proper eye relief. Like Rory I think the 33mm objective looks "right" on the Model 99.

Especially with a 180 grain

I have to chime in about the recoil of this caliber........or this rifle? Tell me some stories?

Popcorn! Honey bring me the popcorn!

First of all......if you are fortunate to have this rifle....and still use it for hunting? Why complain Nancy?

I'm not ignorant to the fact of awesome classic firearms......but the recoil and instant gratification of touching the trigger and putting it in the 10 ring........

It'll be fine. I don't understand all this recoil talk about a 308. I must be a weirdo.

I do not fabricate stories or any of the like......I enjoy talking with members that have knowledge with the questions I ask!

Pound town is where we are at........can't wait!

Dang....wipe your eyes and curl up against your bunny hugger?

Mine ain't too "nice" by you standards, but at least it's not too beat up. Internally it's great. It's just rough enough on the outside to carry and not worry about it.

What were you shooting? Myself, I can feel a major difference between a 150 and 180 in the 99F

It's going to be tough to concentrate on hunting......... and keep admiring this rifle?

The one that gets my attention.....??????...350 Rem Mag....225GR flat nose will take your hat off...LOL! But this something that enjoy.

i use 165's. though i sometimes run up a batch of 190's just because i bought a bucket full of them about 35 years ago.
maybe i just don't have sense enough to feel recoil from anything as uncomfortable. though i did have a 340 in 30-30 once that would make my nose bleed.