I have acquired at Savage Model 99RS which is one of the older ones. It has to rectangular piece on top of the bolt (cocking indicator) and square back on the receiver. Half octagol and round barrel with serial number 36.016. Realizing that the receiver could crack if fired with factory ammo should I try, is there anyone who is able to recase-harden the receiver to where it will withstand normal loads? This rifle is "somewhat" of a collectors gun as it is in pretty good shape in all areas. With that being said, I don't want to ruin the value of it by doing something to it that would lower its value. On the other hand, it would be nice to shoot it too. Downloading ammo might be an option, but I would hate to crack the receiver just to hear it go "BANG" a few times. I suppose another option would be to buy another with the rounded receiver and blaze away. Any suggestions? Thanks, Mike

Obvious question is what caliber is it? Most of the older Savage 99's were chambered for relatively mild cartridges and none have been hotrodded up much since back then.

Was the rifle subjected to something that would weaken the steel? A house fire? Unless I'm missing something, you should be able to go out and shoot it as is with factory ammo. I shoot rifles made in the 1890's to 1935 nearly every weekend and don't have any problems.

Fourtails, I would be interested in getting some idea of what you gave for the Savage 99RS. I have my Dad's .300 that he bought new in 1939. Really nice rifle. He swre by it for a whitetail rifle in Wisconsin. PM me if you wouldn't mind.
Thanks,
BJB

I don't think the rifle you have is an RS, as they are a later Sav99 configuration with a round 24 inch barrel and heavy forend and came with either a redfield or lyman receiver sight. Calibers were 300 Sav & 250/3000.

I have a M99-R. Mine has the rollmark on the side and is D&T for both scope and tang sights from the factory.

You probably have some other kind of M99

Pics would be helpful with getting a proper ID

Try looking here for more info on your gun
http://www.savage99.com/models.htm

From the description you gave. You may have a 99C or 99CD.

ZM

Fourtails, that is most likely a 99C. But you should post your questions on the Savage Collectors Forum at 24hourcampfire.com, where the experts on this rifle are located.

more accurately, an 1899C.

I'll try over at 24 Hour Campfire and see what they say. Thanks, Mike

I think that Savage changed the bolt configuration and cocking indicator around 1912. I addition, a 1/2 R - 1/2 O barrel would make it an 1899C. What cartridge is it chambered for?

Go over to the Savage Collectors forum at http://www.24hourcampfire.com to get an expert opinion. You'll get the best results if you can post a picture or 2.

Jeff

The change in bolt shape was at no. 90,000. In the 1950s Savage would not rebuilt lower number rifles to .250 or .300, from 90,000 to 266,000 they would but charged an extra five or ten bucks to retemper the frame, above 266,000 there was no problem with this rebuild.

your gun was made in 1904 therefore if its original it has to be a 1899 Fwt, saddle gun, but most likely is a 1899 Hammerless sporting rifle...It came in calibers 25-35, 30-30, 303, 32-40, 38-55, 22 Hi Power and was the first 250-3000 savage produced...

It is still perfectly capable of handling any factory ammo made in those calibers...

the carbine version had a rounded forend and it was the only one that had a rounded forend in that time space....

A picture would help greatly in identification as your description does not fit the year and make which makes one wonder if its not a pieced together rifle not worth much or a custom order rifle in which case it would be very valueble....