Given the choice for a trouble free rifle which one ?

[Country Boy]

Savage 99, Winchester 88 . I was thinking less mechancial problems safety and decent accuracy. Kind of a go to gun when the chips are down.

[Swampman]

Marlin 336

[mannyrock]

    Based on the three parameters you listed, the Marlin 336 beats the other two rifles you listed hands down!

   But, as between the two rifles you listed, you have to go with the Savage 99.  The stocks on the Model 88s have a bad habit of breaking, since the woods is very thin on each side of the receiver.  And, the triggers are absolutely terrible and never get better.  And the firing pins are much more prone to break than the Savage 99.

[Rangr44]

[Based on the three parameters you listed, the Marlin 336 beats the other two rifles you listed hands down!]
[But, as between the two rifles you listed, you have to go with the Savage 99.]

+2, since I agree with both manny & swampy !

.

[teddy12b]

Marlin 336

+1  They've been making the 336 for more years than I care to count.  They're got the bugs worked out and it's a great all around rifle.

[jdickey]

Gotta go with a HENRY! ! !

[Swampman]

Gotta go with a HENRY! ! !

Much too heavy & expensive.

[dpe.ahoy]

Of the 2 mentioned, I would have to say the 99.  DP

[jdickey]

Gotta go with a HENRY! ! !

Much too heavy & expensive.

The topic was ......"CHOICE FOR A TROUBLE FREE RIFLE"! ! ! ! 

Yes....the HENRY is heavy and expensive....and .....TROUBLE FREE!

[Swampman]

The trouble is finding someone who'll carry it for you.

The Marlin is light, inexpensive, and trouble free.

[Blackhawk44]

Of the two options, its the 99 by a wide margin.  While I have longed for an 88 since first seeing them in the 1963 Winchester catalog, the fact remains the Savage is far more mechanically sound.  Before someone says "336" again, the 99's cartridges gain 50 to 100% in range over the .30-30 and in my 45 years of hunting, I have seen a handful of minor mechanical problems with the 336, but have yet to witness the first problem with a 99.   

[Mikey]

I believe that of the two you mentioned the Savage 99 would be the better rifle and possibly more trouble free.  You did not include the Winchester 94 - I own five and none have ever given me problems.  jmtcw.

[Hopalong7]

     I have had a Model 88 .308Win since 1961.  It is very accurate, reliable and that terrible trigger ain't that bad(yes, it could be a little better). The stock has never cracked and the firing pin has never broken.  I know they have a reputation for giving trouble but I've just not seen it.  Maybe I've just been lucky.  My dad, brother, son, son-in-law, and nephew have borrowed it and used it to harvest countless deer.  It used to be quite a discussion as to who got to use Walt's "good luck rifle" this season.
     I've been "collecting" Savage 99's since the mid '70's.  By collecting I don't mean hanging on the wall or putting in a safe.  I shoot the heck out of 'm.  I have one that is now 102 years old, one is 97, one is 74 and the baby of the bunch is only 60.  They ALL function flawlessly to this day(and hopefully many more), handle great and are very accurate.
    To me an 88 Winchester OR a 99 Savage is like a Martin guitar or a good "firm feelin' woman"....it just feels right!!!  No offense to you guys with the '94's and 336's either cause they hain't nothin' wrong them for sure.
    Which one of the two would I pick???  Ohhhhhh my!!!! If it really had to come down to it.....the 99.
  Walt

[teddy12b]

Another thing to consider....  I've read rumors about Savage trying to bring back the 99 within the next year or two.  If they come out with a lever action 308 that's as accurate as their other rifles, I'll be jumping on that bandwagon in a heartbeat.

[mannyrock]

  It looks as if the Jury Is In, on the issue of the three rifles you listed, and the answer is the Savage 99.   (I agree.)  But, don't buy one of the old take-down models, some of those DO have mechancial problems, from almost a century of wear.

   And, with the 99, you get  a choice of whether you prefer an internal magazine, or a detachable magazine.  You also get a very wide choice of styles, fit, and finish, from the many models produced over the years.   If you want to get one at the cheapest price, the Savage 99C, with the detachable magazine, in .308, is the way to go.   They aren't the prettiest things to look at, but they are reliable.

Regards,

Mannyrock

[Hopalong7]

mannyrock, I agree with you to a point on the take-down models.  The old ones(all the take down models are old) that have been taken down continually and often work loose with wear and can be trouble.  However if you come upon one that doesn't show the wear...ie...the take-down feature hasn't been used much have no fear.  My 97 year old is a .22 Hi-Power take-down and she is still as tight as a solid frame and shoots and performes just as good as one.
GOOD SHOOTIN', Walt 

[1marty]

I've had the same model 94 for over 50 years. It shoots as great as the day my dad gave it to me.