Yo Ed -

I also have a 1899 Savage (early one in .300 Sav.). My dream is to have a 358 Win barrel for it (or to rebarrel my 99 Savage (from .308 Win) ).

My step-dad had an 1899 in 303 Savage - had the looong barrel too. It was much his preference over the .30-30 because it came (factory loads) in 180 or 190 gr where the 30-30 only got up to 170.

I have found the .303 Sav to be as accurate as the tang peep sight will allow. I hope to use it this year in western Kansas for a deer. I have not shoot anything but paper with it so far. It has killed every piece of paper so far.<g> I'm taking the 45-70 and the .303 with me so I have something for brush and long range.