I guess nice is subjective.
I will not be able to pick it up for a few weeks but its a .308 has the brass counter and safety in the lever rather than the tang. It only says savage 99 no f or e but its very light and in decent shape.
Nice case colors on the lever no cracks in the stock. It does have a pad added. the S# is 905xxx The web site says 1951 or newer , witch being a .308 is known anyway. So if somebody knows when they switched to the tang safety, I might get an idea when my new toy was built... thanks...tj3006

lots of info

http://www.savageshooters.com/...t-model-99-do-I-have

Thanks rich !
But i didn't learn much there , i am more interested in the date than the model.
Since its a .308 I cant be older than a 1953, cause i think that's when the round came out.
And since the counter is brass and the safety , is the lever locking type rather than on the tang ,
I should be able to narrow it down by finding out when those changes were made !
thanks for the link though...tj3006

according to Murray, The tang safety was 1960 on the "F" and 308 added in 1958 sernum 755,000 - ?? .

thanks !
That means mine is about my age 55 !
...tj3006

I picked up my 99,
I am no hand with a computer. I might try and post a picture but i don't like the odds of success.
I loaded up some 150 grain speer hot cores , over w-748. and might do some sierra 150 grain flat bases over IMR 4064. Rather old fashion powders but never had any trouble getting either to shoot decently. Hoping for 2750 and not much over 1.5 inches, ...tj3006

I have found over the years to drop two grains below the book max with 99s..The brass lasts much longer and the velocity loss is minimal. Those action are strong but they are stretchy and require a lot of case trimming..I like WW748, RL-15, IMR-4064, and mostly I use Hod. H4895 lately. Some powder allow a max book load, depends on your rifle..

The 99 will give you fair warning re: pressure, when that lever drops about 1/8 or 1/4 of an inch on firing, back off at least two grains, your pushing your luck, when you get an ocassional case separation with what you believed to be safe loads that means that they are safe loads for one or two firing but then the case stretching thing catches up with you and you be shooting loads that are just too hot for the 99...great gun, my all time favorite but its not a bolt action an need not be, its just fine at 50 to a 100 FPS less than the bolt rifle will handle in a like caliber.

Music to my ears Ray,
And very helpful info !
My 1st load is 3 grains under max with a speer 150, grain and 748.
Trying to decide about a scope. It came with a fixed 2.5 scope of unknown make.
I have an excellent old Bushnell scope chief 2.5x8 That seems to be a cool sentimental choice.
But i might just buy a Leupold.
I hope to squeeze a few rounds down range soon ! Thanks for the tip about the lever helping to indicate pressure. ...tj3006

48.5 grs. of WW748 is always good max load and has worked in all my Savages with 150 gr. bullets at around 2800 FPS or better.

However always start about 10% below and work up on any quoted load.

richj, looking at your link , that explains things. In gunsmithing school ,CST,I worked on a 99 but couldn't find any drawings .With all the variations , that explains why !

Savage went to the tang safety with the 99DL in 1960 until the 99 was discontinued.

Your rifle has to be a 99DL 1960, tang safety, Monte carlo stock, 24 inch barrel only

99C, tang safety, box magazine, 22 inch barrel, 1965

99F, new style, thumb tang safety, impressed checkering, 1968

99PE, tang safety, presentation grade,22 inch barrel 1968

99DE, tang safety, citation grade,less elaborate than the 99PE, 22 inch barrel.

HOpe this helps, a picture would be the best way to identify.