Veiws? , opinions? , experience ?

These "odd" rifles kind of half breeds, bolt action calibres yet housed in old fashioned style lever rifles, seem to have a good following.

Just got me interested, as i like the lever action of my .444 Marlin very slick.............

Englander

I like them. At www.24Hourcampfire.com there is a Savage Collectors section with an active discussion.

They shoot as well as bolt rifles and are easier to operate and carry. Until the autoloader really caught on with the game getters the Savage 99 was a premier hunting rifle.

The Savage 99 is my primary woods rifle.

The M99 might be the best lever action ever made. I got my M99-R from my grandfather. Shoots great, very well balanced. Looks great too. The ability to use spitzer bullets puts it in a class by itself among lever-sctions.

ZM

I agree with Don and Zeke. I think they may be the best lever action rifles ever made. I'm sure Ray will have something to add also. I believe he is a fan.

Ryan

One of the most accurate "standard" factory rifles I have ever seen is a Model 99F in 243 that my Dad owns. It will consistently group just about any factory load he's tried in well under 1". I've seen numerous 1/2" groups out of the thing. Amazing!!

R-WEST

[ 10-16-2002, 16:37: Message edited by: R-WEST ]

Hey'
The nice thing about the Savage 99's,is that it has a rotory magazine,as opposed to a tubular.This gun rarely has feeding malfunctions.It will handle all cartridges.The gun was modified many years ago with a minor change.The safety was move from the trigger guard,to the top tang.
1geejay
www.shooting-hunting.com

Gents,
Had onemany years back. a 308 Win 99e I was begged out of it for a good long time and finally caved when offered 2 times what I had in it. I immediatley regretted it.....a few years have passed and have now doubled my 99's in 308. One I have scoped and is 90% condition... No 2 was someones pickup gun,,,literally sat in the bed in the camper ! the rh side was bitter to look at when he drove in....I begged him to sell it to me everytime he came in as to lessen the damage done ..give it a break so to say before it was too late to save.. Finally he said "what you offer me for it?" I said "A hunnerd"
he said " gimme 75 cuz it ain't worth a hunnerd"
SOLD ! I took it home and put a couple hours cleanin' painted the stock camo & black installed Iron's back on...and took it out...5 rounds later with some loads from my stash ammo 2" at 100 yards ! love it and will not sell any more guns,,ever. Big fan of 99's here 45nut

Well, since this board is for "Medium Bore Rifles" and this thread is on Savage 99's, I just can't hold back. My current project rifle is a 99F with tang safety, rebarrelled from .284 Win. to .35/.284, powder-coated in "wrought iron", and with a lightweight MPI fiberglas stock (complete with schnable) and Leupold 2.5 Compact. Looks like final weight will be around 7.5 lbs. Not done yet, but I love it already! I'll be using Hornady 250 gr. R.N.'s.
Jerry/AK

Gentlemen,

How can anyone go wrong with a Savage 99? I have them in .22 Hi-Power, .250-3000, .30-30, and .300 Savage. The .300 or .308 chamberings may be some of the best woods or bushveld rifles that exist. A good low-power scope and quality handloads and you have a rifle that is accurate, handly, powerful, and looks damn good.

Joel Slate
Slate & Associates, LLC
www.slatesafaris.com

7mm Rem Mag Page www.slatesafaris.com/7mm.htm

Jerry/AK,

Your rifle sounds just right for AK what with the big animals there and the weather. I have had 99F's in .358 Win since 1966 and they are my primary woods rifle. Mine are original with the 22" bbl except that one has a heavy clear coat on it and a rubber butt pad. This one was also "slicked" and is a dream to operate.

I wonder how many of us "M70" guys really can operate their rifle from the shoulder in a smooth and rapid manner? From the way that a 99 is designed the recoil lets you start the extraction before recoil is finished. They are very fast to use and don't distirb your hold on the rifle.

On the .284 case. I think that's as big as you can go. The reciever on a 99 is not all that large in diameter and some conjecture here on case sticking in WSM's may be correct that some action/barrel systems can't handle a case diameter that is too large. There has to be a limit of course.

How long is your barrel by the way?

There is some literature on "Slicking The 99". I don't have it in front of me and hope that someone here would point us in it's direction. It is a classic gunsmith essay on just what to do.

Hey Jerry/ak
I had a 35-284,on A Sako carbine.It was originally a 30-06,Since I made a .30 Gibbs,I decided to pull the barrel on the 06,It turned out great.It shot better than my friends 35 Whalen.Always under an inch.It resides in Milford,Pa,with some young fellow,who really appreciates it.
1geejay
www.shooting-hunting.com

Jerry, that 35/284 sounds like a perfect AK get around rifle. I have 2 99's currently, a 99F in 300 Savage (my step-dad's gun, he bought it when he got out of the AF after WW2, he was always a Frank Buck fan) and an early 99 in 38-55. I'm building one from parts in 375 Win (because I already have the barrel). I really like the 99's, great guns. - Dan

Thanks for the kind words guys. As you can tell, I'm proud of the rifle. It has a 22" Douglas barrel on it. I'll do some shooting this Sunday and report back.
Jerry/AK

[ 10-19-2002, 02:39: Message edited by: Jerry/AK ]

My load testing so far indicates I can push the 250 gr. RN's to about 2400 fps reliably. I'm really likin' this rifle.
Jerry/AK

The Savage 99.........What a great old rifle! I have long wanted one with the rotary magazine and finally picked one up this past year. It is a pre war model(made in 1936) that has an old Redfield peep sight. It is chambered in 300 Savage. I can shoot 2.5" groups with it at 100 yards. It is a great little woods gun. It has a short lever throw so you can cycle the action with a flip of the wrist and maintain the sight picture. I had a great time hunting with it this past season. It is a rifle that just feels good in your hands! It is nice to use something without a scope for a change! I wish this gun were still made. It would be perfect for the new short mags.

Ladies and gentlemen, this is my firts post on this forum, and on a Model 99 is a good place to start. I have a 99 that was my Grandfathers, chambered in .300 Savage. Had an old Weaver K4 when I inherited it, and a Lyman Peep in a box with it. I like the peep better. I can shoot 2 in groups with nearly any load I put in it. It makes a great antelope rifle. I also have a 99 that belonged to and old guy I worked with for several years. It was a .243, and didn't shoot worth a darn....It is currently being reassembled with a Shilen barrel in.260 Rem. I will be the only one on my block with one like it! They are wonderful rifles, and I hope there are more in my future.

Fantastic rifles and true bargains on today's market compared to say, pre-64 M70s, considering the amount of handwork that went into them.

I've got a late model, tang safety, .308 that will consistently shoot 3 shot 3/4 inch 100 yard groups and sometimes a good bit less than that. Pretty amazing considering the design of the 99 is not conducive to great bench work.

There are articles on slicking up the 99 action in the NRA's Gunsmithing Guide, and in Wolfe's Gunsmithing Tips and Projects. - Dan

The 99 is a great rifle. Simple, easy to shoot and accurate. I have three...My two and my wifes. My wife absolutely loves hers in .300 savage( a fine if underemphasized cartridge).

Truth of the matter is that I took hers out to the range and put it through its paces. I was so impressed I bought two more when I had the opportunities. Put a savage 99 through its paces at the range and you will poo-poo no more.

Absolutely the best lever gun ever made. Best saddle gun too if you are a horse hunter.

swede

Count me in on the 99 bandwagon. I have a lightweight "E" model in 300 s and love it! Overall it may be my favorite rifle because it is pleasant to shoot, carry, and quite efficent in nearly any scenario. Their design too is so unique that they will probably never again be reproduced, mine will be buried with me when I die.

I have an 99 in 300 and an 99f in 308. I would love to get a 250-3000. My grandfather, dad, uncles, cousins all have 99's. I was the first "rebel" to hunt with a bolt action. Of all the rifles I have now the 99's are my family roots and I have to come back home every few years. That 99f of mine is awesome. Lite wieght, the reciever becomes part of your hand, and when it comes up you are on target.

JERRY/AK
Can I ask where I can find those MPI fiberglass Model 99 Stocks?
I have a sweet 99 in 358 that I'd like to restock.

Look here: http://www.mpistocks.com/

Kinda expensive, but the only source I know of.
Jerry/AK

Here is a picture of my Savage 99 EG that was made in 1936. I had it out "working" this past December chasing whitetails in PA. I jumped a big 12 point in a heavy thicket.....but I did not have a buck tag! Here is a picture of one of his rubs. I will be back after him next year with my 99!

Have 3 Wall hangers for the simple reason they are great to look at. Sometimes I change two, but the 99 always is up. Mine is in 22 Hi-Power and fun to shoot. With the proper sized bullet .228, it's a very accurate round. Nasty little bugger to reload though.

Jaybold; I have found a tight 22hp will shoot 224 70gn Sierra's very good, you might want to give it a try.

Growing up, most of the cowboys and family used either Win. 94's or Savage M-99's...The 99 was consider the elite elk and deer rifle in my family and we tuned up many an elk with the 250-3000 and 300 savages...

I have customized them in 338-284, and 35-284..Have customed stocked them in the best of Turkish and French walnut...Have glassed bedded more than say 150 of them and everyone of them shot around an inch when glassed properly....

I presently own an old 308 M-99F and an old 99EG in 250/3000 and both shoot great. I would never sell either one of them. I do buy and sell a number of them from time to time...They are just a wonderfull gun..Most folks either love'em or hate'em.....

The 284 took the Sav. M-99 to a new high, and it failed at the market place, which shows how much the average American hunter knows about guns and hunting. Mostly it was killed by stupid gun scribes who never understood the purpose of developing a short, even a lever action action 7 mm that competed with the 280 and even the 7 mag...A National disgrace that was. Can you believe the gun writers said it should have been produced on a long action so you could seat the bullets out!! well, they did and they simply missed the whole point and ruined a fine cartridge. It was and is a wonderfull saddle gun, the finest ever made for that purpose.

Ray,

Here in the Northeast USA the 99 Savage enjoyed a good run and was considered an elite rifle. Many sportsmen here got one even though a sporterized military rifle cost a lot less.

I just can't stand the thought that the dumb 94's and 336's continue to sell and the 99 has stopped production.

As to the 284 Winchester somehow I just don't feel comfortable with that rebated rim.

Most hunters went for the autoloaders after WW11 and others stayed with bolts. Thus less demand for the 99.

Well i own a bunch of them and love every one of them.They are fine rifles you can't go wrong with one.But let me warn you once you buy one you will have to buy another it's like a disease you are addicted.Well good luck hope you have a chance to own one of these fine rifles.

I currently own three of them. I've got a 300 savage, a 303 savage and a 38-55. I have many more expensive guns, but I just seem to keep going back to the 99's in the cabinet. They are tops in my book and have never failed.

hey there Savage99. I have a 1951 99C and i love it. However, i also have a .38-55 Win 94 and i would never call mine or anybody else's 94 "dumb" they are all great guns with great histories. To me dumb is a Synthetic stocked bolt action and the 300 yard and up hunting mentality of many these days. If i wanted to hunt that way my hunts would last me 30 minutes where i am from. A similiar comparison can be made by comparing the Hemis of the 60's and 70's to the Japanese riceburners you see today. No comparison my friend!!!

To not like the Win. M-94 is plumb unamerican, My generation learned to hunt and shoot with them, some later graduated to the Savage 99, and many stayed with the 94, I have several of both..I still hunt my backyard with the M-94 in a 25-35 and I kill a deer with it each year. Every time I hunt with it, it brings back a lot of fine memories of yesteryear, and when I make a clean kill with it I get a certain amount of satisfaction out of that....

I call the 94 Winchester and all of the other "cowboy" rifles dumb because I have little respect for them. I really don't know what they are good for?

Such rifles like the 76, 86, 92 and 94 Winchesters and their Marlin counterparts have a magazine under the barrel which makes spitzer bullets dangerous to use. Such rifles also have sloppy lockups which make short work of cartridge case life when the pressure gets up to smokeless powder levels.

Of course if my favorite 99 Savage was still being made today and the dumb cowboy guns were not then I would not be upset about it and would have ignored them.

I can't say that my generation (same as Ray's) was brought up on the 94 at all. We had Springfields not 94's. The Springfield came out in 1906 or thereabouts and they made as many of them as 94's or so it seemed. I recall the owner of a lodge in Vermont about 1955 trying to sell us a nickel plated 86 in 45-70 for $10.00 My dad did not want it at any price and I got him to offer $5.00 for it. That offer was refused.

I see the interest in 94's etc as nostagia. They are not good for anything otherwise.

Savage99,

The various Winchesters, Marlins and their ilk are well suited for many parts of the country. The cartridges for which they are chambered are perfectly adequate even if they aren't barn burners. FNs and RNs don't give up as much to the SPs as many like to think, there may even be advantages. Additionally, these rifles often feel better to users due to their balance and receiver shape. Some find the 99 awkward to carry. Clearly, you don't feel this way and that's just fine.

It is interesting that market pressures have forced the 99 out of the market and retained the M94 and even supported the resurgence of the older Winchester lever actions including the Model 95. I think it is particularly interesting in that the only "modern" lever action that can compete directly with the 99 is the BLR and it seems to be thriving. That Browning has produced different action lengths shows that it is a popular rifle. I am sure that it is easier to make a profit on as well.

None of this is intended as criticism. I enjoy stick bows, flintlocks, single shots and old cartridges, that is my "thing" and one of the reasons that I enjoy life so much. Not dumb, not dumb at all.

Savage99
I have a '99, I like it, but it's not a '94, never was, never will be. Two different concepts. The '94 is faster to point, faster in the brush, lighter and handier, and physically smaller. It displays all of the bad characteristics you already mentioned. But it does NOT have to eat brass. A tight '94 not heavily loaded can make brass last so long you'll lose it before it wears out.
The '99 handles pointed bullets, and more powerful cartridges, and can use a scope more easily. To some eyes it's a nicer looking gun, and for the most part, they are more accurate.
Different strokes, I like 'em both. I need more of them too!

I have a '51 EG in .300 Savage. I love it.

I�ve 4 lever actions, 3 true, one a Ruger Number One in O6. The 99 is by far the most historic of my bunch. In stating this, the 94 Winchester in .44 Mag fits my hands and points better than any. Also have a Marlin 30-30, with a set of Williams Peeps which may have cost almost as much as the rifle. Very pleasant to shoot too. Each is unique. In being unique there are times I like to shoot each the best. Personally, more than often pick on of these rifles to shoot with, and exclusively hunt with only these. Don�t think I could pick a favorite. I also think the Marlin is very underrated.

BTW��.Am (actively) looking for a good lever action .22 any suggestions?

I had a nice EG in .250 that I sold to some outfitter out West I think it got a good home and saved from banging off my climber.

Just put some dough down on a '95 Commemorative in .308 to take its place. Just a shooter but I'll bet a good one.

I'd never sell the Marlin short. So simple and sturdy. I use an M375 in .375 Win. alot .

Yeah 99's are nice. Any good levergun is ok.