Any smith worth the name would not say such a thing. The M99 is a fine rifle that's no longer in production because of the high cost of manufacture. The prices on these rifles has begun the climb to collector only status and the 300 Sav is a great round and still being made.. I don't know where you live and always try to use smiths local to the owner if possible,.. Go visit a few local gun shops and pawn shops that deal in guns.. They should be able to give you the name or a local gunsmith. It's unlikely theres anything badly wrong with the M99. Did you check the chamber for anything in there that's not supposed to be? Found the front half of a seperated brass case in one once that acted the way your's is.. Wouldn't chamber a round.. If theres a partial casing in there theys are not too difficult to remove.. Let us know and perhaps you can remove it yourself..