Hello Folks

It’s a long time since I had a '99 but I have a hankering for a lightweight .250 of some sort (I already have a nice 7 1/2 lb 98 Mauser 257 Rob) and was thinking a 250-3000 might be nice. I'd like to get the bare rifle weight down to at least 6 1/2 lbs, would I be able to achieve this with a 22" barrelled '99 that isn't pencil thin ( not that pencil barrels per say worry me, its just that the balance is not right)

Cheers - Foster

you reminded me,
hows that action turning out? you got the bbl on yet?
250 3000 sounding more and more exotic there foster?
greg

My box stock (NIB actually) 250 Savage goes 7# 3 oz with its 22" barrel. You might get 4 oz from drilling a couple of holes in the buttstock but I do not see where there is more to be had. Perhaps chopping a couple of inches off of the barrel or a new lighter contoured barrel that will no longer fit the forearm? I think 6 1/2# is stretching it. That said, this gun feels and balances beautifully.

Boxhead - thank you for the information and especially sharing your very nice rifle (via the photo). Makes one very envious.

Cheers - Foster

I had a take down model 99 in 250-3000 I didnt like it because it would not shoot any bullets over 90 grs.I would have loved if it was accurate with 120 gr bullets.It keyholes horrible with all the 100 and heavier gr bullets I tried.I think a Winchester model 88 in 250 sav or a blr in a 250 savage would be awesome.My take down 250-3000 was a former kangroo rifle from Australia.I guess they used the 87 gr bullets on them.I didnt try the 87 gr bullets I couldnt find any at the time I had the rifle.It weighed 6 pounds 9 oz by the way.

The savage model 99-F made in the 50s and 60s with an underlever safety will just fit your requirements. The downside is they are not cheap and collectors are standing in line for them in that caliber..Expect to pay about $1200 if your lucky.

some of the earlier 99 Fs were even lighter but again they are bringing big bucks..Most of the Savages were made in 250 at one time or another.

The cheapest one you can find is the 99A carbine made in the 70s. I see one is pictured on this thread. They are nice using rifles.

I was cutting a new barrel yesterday, and measure the action weight of my 1918 250-3000 take down:
Action weighs 3# 4.5 ounces without ammo.

My guess is that your 98 Mauser action weighs less than that.

Ray,

I saw a Savage marked 99F in .308 that I'm seriously thinking about buying for $450. It wasn't in the best condition, but I thought it might be a good gun to get my feet wet refinishing the stock since none of the knicks looked like they went past the finish, maybe even reblueing the metal (not sure about the latter, though). I've been wanting a 99 in .308, so I think if it's still in the shop when I get out for break it will come home with me...

Tentman, I have a 99F that weighs 6.5# bare. It has a 22" bbl. So, it can be done. Mine is a .300, don't know if the .250 bbl wall is enough thicker to make a diff or not. I'm real sure a .250 will cost a lot more than a .300, because there are a lot more .300 rifles around (for a very good reason).

A .300 will do anything a .250 will do, and some that it won't (like shoot 180 gr bullets). If I lost the one I have, I would walk past a .250 to buy another .300. If I were a collector or dealer, my response would of course be different.

I paid $560 for a 99 in 30-30 yesterday.

“Buy land, they're not making it anymoreâ€. Mark Twain

"Buy a Sav99, they're not making it anymore" tnekkcc