Opinions Please: Which rifle would handle better?

[mannyrock]

Dear Guys,
 
   I couldn't think of any place else to post this question.
 
   Which of the following rifles, in .308 Win , with 22 inch barrels, would handle better (including, hand carrying, climbing tree stands, off hand shooting, shoulder carry, shooting from sitting position, etc.)?
 
   1.  Pre-64 Winchester Model 70 Featherweight, or
 
   2.   A straight-gripped 1899 Savage lever action.
 
   No need to consider carrying in a saddle scabbard.
 
  Thanks for all opinions.
 
Mannyrock
 
 
 
 

[parkergunshop]

Mannyrock,
You made no mention of barrel length.    I like short barrels on tree stand guns if they are to be used in heavy cover.  Regardless, where I hunt the 99 Savage would be my choice from a tree stand.  I have owned two .308 Winchesters one with a 20 inch barrel and one with a 19 inch barrel and both were on 98 Mauser actions, but I have always admired the Savage 99.   
Another factor if you handload, take the bolt action, they are a lot more forgiving for a handloader.  Autos, pumps and levers all require full length resizing more or less. 
 
 

[BRL]

I prefer the M70. I think it is one of the best handling rifles that "I" have ever felt. That being said, I have never handled a Savage 99. I like the straight gripped Browning BLR lever, but still prefer the M70's comfort.


Thanks!!

[mannyrock]

 
Parker,
 
   The OP says to assume a 22 inch barrel for each.
 
   Also please assume a schnauble type forearm on the Savage.
 
Thx,  Manny
 

[swifty22]

No doubt about it, the Winchester, I have never owned a 99 but hunted for many yeras w/ a 94 Win. and that steel action gets really damn cold in November here when carried so I would think the 99 would be the same. My 2 cents-Muddy

[03A2]

Couple things- If the savage has the older safety that sits behind the trigger (like mine), I would say the M70 would be faster first shot for me as I never could get handy with the safety on my 99.  If it has the newer tang safety I would say the 99 would be faster for me.  I have a model 70 also and its pretty much the only rifle I hunt with now, I love it and the safety locks the bolt and firing pin and yet I can operate it very quickly.  I'm sure others are very proficient with the old style safety of the Savages but it always felt very awkward to me.
 
Also, that age of m70 will be long action only, yet you're getting a short action cartridge.  If that little nit-picky detail will bother you???

[charles p]

I assume you are a whitetail hunter.  I think lever guns were great in their days, and still great today, but that Mod 70 will deliver dependable service for eternity.  You will like the trigger much better, regardless of the shooting situation.
Are you a collector or a hunter?
 

[Harry Snippe]

I think the vote would be the pre 70 .
I have had a lever with me on a real cold day and boy that reciever carry sure froze my fingers , where in the bolt action I could tuck my fingers into the wood for the most part .

[RevJim]

  Only Savage 99 I ever owned was a 99C in .308, very handy indeed, but the trigger was mushy, which made shooting offhand a short range affair. But very handy in treestands. woods stalking. For all around, especially if it has a shorter barrel, I believe the Mod 70 FWT would give you more joy!

[mannyrock]

 
Dear Guys,
 
    Thanks for all of the excellent advice.  I am a deer hunter only.
 
    When you are at a show, those old Savage 99s seem to handle like lightening, and jump to your shoulder.  But, I never stopped to consider the issue of cold metal on your hands, or more importantly, trying to get that safety off.
 
     The pre-64 model 70, in featherweight, weighs about the same as the Savage 99.  From all of the comments, it sounds like the consensus is the Model 70.
 
     One issue not discussed is the 1 in 10 deer that runs off into deep woods, even after being hit well.  Tracking the blood trail, and being ready for a really quick shot if he one gets up in front of you, is tough.
 
     Years ago, when I had my farm, I would occasionally have a deer take off into the woods like this.  I would wait 30 minutes, walk back up to the house, get my son's little .30-30 Winchester Trapper with the ghost peep, get my full size poodle, walk on down to the last place I saw the deer, and let that poodle track.  Once that poodle found the first drop of blood, she had no problems whatsover tracking the blood trail through the woods, and she would stay right at my side.   Most of the time, we found the deer dead, within 100 yards or so.  A few times, though, the deer would jump up, about 15 yards ahead, and that little Trapper would swing to my shoulder and put it right down.  In 30 years of hunting that place, I never lost one.   Those were the good old days.  :-)
 
    Regards,
 
    Manny
   

[243dave]

Forget the model 70 and 99, you need a Trapper......and another poodle.   
 
Dave   

[Savage_99]

Forget the model 70 and 99, you need a Trapper......and another poodle.   
 
Dave

 

I was going to respond to the original question but the story with the Poodle is just too funny. 

I have hunted with both the 99 Savage and the M70 for over 50 years and I like them both.   Of late I have got some Kimbers for the SS and light weight.    For the woods my 99F's in .358 were my favorites.

[Wyo. Coyote Hunter]

   Just sold 2 99's one in .300 and one  in .358, they will be replaced with a 700 in 7mm-08 for brush hunting...the 99's had too much drop in the stock for me to use since I have put in a lifetime of shooting bolt guns..nice guns, but not for me..

[Harry Snippe]

Yeah !!
What more than the 30/30 trapper and that poodle. better get some pups before it is too late .
 The dumb mutt we have only- eats , sleeps and poops .
The 30/30 gets some more performance with Hodgdon powers  .One does not need more for deer as well as the average black bear .