Author Topic: most desirable model 99 Savage?  (Read 6847 times)

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Offline wolfsong

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most desirable model 99 Savage?
« on: February 15, 2006, 06:48:08 PM »
Just curious as to which year/features etc would be the most desirable/valuable model 99 in .300. There are a bazillion (o.k., maybe not a bazillion, but alot) of them out there, does any particular one stand out? Thanks, peace and God bless, Wolfsong.
GOD BLESS AMERICA AND MAY GOD HELP CALIFORNIA

Offline tscott

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most desirable model 99 Savage?
« Reply #1 on: February 16, 2006, 12:53:57 AM »
For hunting, it is model "f" that is my favorite. Small Leupold, what a pleasure to carry. .300 of course (1955)!

Offline Turkeyfeather

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Most desirable model 99 in 300 Savage
« Reply #2 on: February 17, 2006, 07:12:26 AM »
Wolfsong,

I have a handfull of 99s of which I treasure. My favorite one of 300 caliber is the Featherweight model F as well. I like the schnabel forearm. The schnabel forearm makes the lines flow better and handle very nice. A nice low mount small diameter scope is good. It adds function without detracting too much of the style and grace.

My recommendation is not to put on a large 44 or 50 mm scope and certainly don't use see through mounts. You would see the indian cry on that one.

 :-)

Offline Ron T.

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most desirable model 99 Savage?
« Reply #3 on: February 28, 2006, 10:59:16 AM »
I have a 1953 Model "EG" with the schnoble forearm with a 24" barrel in .300 Savage caliber... it's a very handsome rifle indeed.

The original Model 99-F "Light Weight" (a take-down rifle), made from 1920 to 1940, is an excellent choice with beautiful lines, a schnoble forearm and a straight buttstock (no pistol grip).  It came in 20", 22" & 24" barrel lengths.  

The .300 Savage caliber is available ONLY in a 24" barrel.  Savage added checkering to this model during the last 3 years of it's production... 1938 to 1940 inclusive.  Prior models didn't have checkering.  The original Model-F's serial numbers ran from about 200,000 to about 398,000.

The original Model F wasn't called the "Featherweight" model, but rather the "Light Weight" model.

The newer Model 99-F "Featherweight" (made from 1955 to 1973) was introduced in 1955 in .250-3000 and .300 Savage caliber and discontinued in 1973.  This rifle had a rounded forearm and a pistol-grip buttstock.  

The buttstock was hollowed out under the buttplate to save weight and the corrugated steel buttplace was replaced by an aluminum buttplate in 1970.

The 99-F "Featherweight" (one word vs. "Light Weight" which is 2 words) was the first Savage lever action with the model designation visible on the outside - it was on the rear of the barrel on the right hand side.

I agree with Turkeyfeather's recommendation concerning the size of the scope and it's mounts.  A scope with a large objective turret just doesn't "look right" on ANY Model 99.    :wink:


Strength & Honor...

Ron T.
"The strongest reason for the people to retain the right to keep and bear arms is, as a last resort, to protect themselves against tyranny in government."  - Thomas Jefferson

Offline Marlowe

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most desirable model 99 Savage?
« Reply #4 on: May 14, 2006, 09:01:30 PM »
Best Savage 99?  Brings up all kinds of questions on criteria, but to simply go with the flow my answer would be the Model T,  The T was made only for a brief period of time in the 1930s and was never made after the end of WW2.  -Suggest you try to get a picture if possible.  I would describe the T as a shorter barreled 99 with a forearm somewhat thicker than virtually all prewar guns, but not as thick as lets say a post war 99R or RS.  This doesn't do justice to the utterly well balanced and well-proportioned appearance of the T.  Calibers were the standard bunch.  Most of those actually seen are 303 Savage, 250/3000 and 300 savage.  If you haven't made the acquaintance of a Model T yet, find a way - - think you'll find the gun to be something special.

Offline Savage .250

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most desirable model 99 Savage?
« Reply #5 on: May 15, 2006, 04:09:09 AM »
Which one is the best?  The way things are going any one you can get
   your hands on would seem to fit in that "best" category. Excluding "Rats"
   I`ve got a 1952 99R in .300, all original,  love it.  
   They are very hard to find in my neck of the woods so when one does
    show up you have to be ready to pounce (buy) or throw a few more
     bucks into your war chest and keep on looking.  Suppy and demand
      has driven the price of a 99.........up.
    One thing is for sure, the 99 has gone the way of the Buffalo but keep
    looking as when you get a 99 you will be the proud owner of one of
    the "best"  rifles ever made.....IMO.
" The best part of the hunt is not the harvest but in the experience."

Offline Marlowe

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most desirable model 99 Savage?
« Reply #6 on: May 15, 2006, 07:20:58 AM »
Have another opinion about my favorate 99.  Had noted my earlier preference for the T, but appearances are not the only measure of a rifle.  When thinking about what I really use, shoot and reach for again and again, the anwser is different.

The anwser here is a humble 25/35.  Somewhere, recall picking up a 25/35 saddle ring, minus a useable buttstock - - probably, a 40-50% finish on the receiver, but on the whole, not a bad rifle, not abused and the bore appeared fine.  Had the right stock at home and after fitting and then refinishing both forearm and butt, I mounted a 7/8" tube Texan 2.5 in a Stith Install-It-Yourself set-up I also had stuck away.

The last step was to buy 100 Winchester 25/35 cases and retire to the bench where I loaded them with 25 cal. 75 grain Sierrra HPs.  This little 25/35 with its rotary magazine and capacity to handle pointed bullets is really a great running jack rabbit rifle and that's where it gets it use.  Probably shoot it as much any centerfire rifle I have.  And for closures, look up the velocity of such bullets sometime.  Most published figures are based on not exceeding Winchester lever gun pressure limits.  Savage is a stronger rifle.  I didn't load my cartridges hot, but  believe velocity neared 3,000 fps.  Plenty fast enough to catch Mr. Jack's attention.

Offline Ron T.

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most desirable model 99 Savage?
« Reply #7 on: May 29, 2006, 07:49:01 AM »
WOW...

I use to hunt & try to shoot running "jacks" when I was stationed at Ft. Sill, Oklahoma with a little Model 39A Marlin "Mountie" (straight butt-stock, no pistol grip) .22 rimfire lever action rifle... got to the point where I could hit about 1 out of every 2 of 'em at which I shot.

I was wondering if you find all of those expensive ejected, 25/35 empty cartridge cases after you've shot at the "jacks"?  If not, what percentage do you lose?


Strength & Honor...

Ron T.
"The strongest reason for the people to retain the right to keep and bear arms is, as a last resort, to protect themselves against tyranny in government."  - Thomas Jefferson

Offline Tom H.

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most desirable model 99 Savage?
« Reply #8 on: June 01, 2006, 12:43:27 AM »
WS, I have to second Ron on the model F.
I am new to the Savage club, just recently finding a 1928 takedown in .300 with a 24" barrel. The gun is beautiful.
Aside from  4 holes in the reciever the piece is mint and a great example of the type of work that was done on a rifle back then. The blue and case color were fantastic and the wood fit is about as good as it has to be with great figure.
I recently rebarreled a 250 tang safety to 358 for a friend, and was disapointed (understatement)when I took the stock off and saw metalwork that I would have never let out of the shop.
Those earlier guns were definately an example of American craftmanship.
Cheers
Tom

Offline olgrouser

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most desirable model 99 Savage?
« Reply #9 on: June 03, 2006, 05:25:28 AM »
In my eyes, there nothing like a long 26 inch barrel, straight butt stock with that perch belly (or not ), a crescent rifle buttplate and a schnabel fore end on an early 1899 or even 1895.

The more condition, yet age & character, the more I likes 'em!

Olgrouser.

Offline RLB

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most desirable model 99 Savage?
« Reply #10 on: June 23, 2006, 12:59:55 PM »
Probably the 99A in .358win or .375win