I recently bought a '99 in 250-3000 and the barrel is a bit less than tight. It has interupted thread, serial # in the 196xxx range and is in quite nice condition other than the existing barrel not being as tight as I'd like. (My idea described below would want to address this as well) This '99 has the rounded bolt with cocking indicator on top of the receiver. Anyway, read an old article in the Jan. '73 Rifleman describing converting a '99 into other calibers by rebarreling. The article suggests that you can convert either 250-3000 to .300 Savage and vice versa. With the exchange of a different carrier, you can also choose .308, .243, 358 Win., and .284 Win. The article deals specifically with solid frame 99's but I'm wondering why you could not do this on a take down and have a multi barrel rifle in say 250-3000, .300 Savage, and 358 Win. I am not sure that I want to deal with the pressures on the .308 or .243. Before any purists howl with outrage this is a 99 that has been restocked and reblued. Additionally I think I'd have the frame color case hardened which should add a little strength to the receiver. Anyone ever heard of this being done or have any wisdom to impart? Thanks!

I tried for some time to find a 358 winchester spindle to convert a 300 up win a new barrel. After that the rest should be relativly easy. Had a really hard time finding one. I think the idea is a great one and would really hope you find out how so I can follow suit.
Frank

I have one in 22-250, 250 Savage and 300 Savage that started out as a shot out 250-3000 in the 1919 vintage. Still had a perchbelly stock. I had a gunmaker redo the barrels and ended up spending about $2500 in 1992. He made one for himself at the same time and sold it for $7000.

Mine shoots MOA with all barrels. The barrels are Shilen as I remember. He said he had a little work to get the carrier to work with each cartridge. There is a little follower alongside the side of the case that located the case. It is a little different for each case becase of the taper but he compromised until it worked. He said the scope mount drove him crazy.

Nice project but only practical within a cartridge family. Expect to spend what you would on a nice custom bolt gun(everything costs more than you think).

Opinions to the contrary, the 99 is a very strong action. It can handle the 308 family with no trouble.

The case coloring won't add any strength only color.