1968 Savage 99E .300

[Camper]

Is this premil or postmil and what would be the value difference between pre and post.  There is a rotary internal mag without a counter I think the barrel is 22 inches but not positive,  is this a carbine?
What barrell lengths were made for the 99 .300

I am still a litle confused on the Pre-mil and Post-mil stuff sorry if I am beating a dead horse as I have asked a somewhat simular question on another thread topic.

Camper

[Mo Gun Nut]

Post mil simply refers to a serial # over 1 million as I understand it. Pre-mil seems to be more sought after. Better fit/finish etc.

[Ron T.]

Generally, the Model 99’s made before serial number 1,000,000 are considered to be better made with a higher degree of quality than those made after the “post mil” (#1,000,001 and above).

The Model E (Economy) rifle/carbine was introduced in 1960 and discontinued in 1984.

The original Model E was a handsome rifle, cataloged as the “Savage 300” and offered in .250 & .300 Savage with a 24-inch barrel.  It looked nearly identical to the pre-1940, Model 99-EG with it’s long, slender, 1940-ish schnoble forearm, except that the Model-E had an uncapped pistol grip and a hard rubber (rather than a steel) butt-plate.

In 1961, the Model-E became the “Economy Carbine” with 20-inch barrels and a rather blunt forearm that was not nearly as handsome as the earlier Model-E with the schnoble forearm.  It also lacked the cartridge indicator, tang sight holes, walnuts stocks and was offered in .243 and .308 with a 20” barrel while the rifles chambered for .300 Savage had a 24 inch barrel.  The .250 Savage chambering was discontinued.

In 1962, all remaining calibers were available in a 20” barrel which was considered by many to be the “Model 99-E Carbine”.  Impressed checkering was added in 1966.  In 1981, the rotor in the rotary magazine was brass colored steel, but thereafter, it was steel colored.

The final Model 99-E version came with a Monte Carol comb and grooved forearm.  It was the last rotary magazine Savage Model 99 offered.  The .250 Savage caliber was reintroduced in 1983 and the E-Model was discontinued in 1984.

The original price of the Model-E was $99.95 in 1961 and rose to $251.35 by 1980.

I hope this information is useful to you.


Strength & Honor…

Ron T.

[Camper]

Thanks Ron T
You are always a wealth of knowledge!

I checked and I have a 20 inch barrel on my .300 Savage

Camper

[Majbg]

Just got back from gun show and saw some 99's from $275 to $625.  I'm planning on picking one up sometime, just trying to learn more about them.  the calibers were 300 savage, 243, 308 and a 250 I believe.  Is there a "model" that is of more value/ better craftsmanship than the others?  I saw a mode "A", one without any mode #, some model E's, a detatchable magizine type, and a model "F".  I assume the "A" is the earliest and possible the best??  Thanks.  bg

[Majbg]

Another Question if possible.  What calibers were available in the "pre-mil"?  I'm holding out for the 300 savage or 308 if possible.  Thanks.  Bill

[Ron T.]

There are many fine models of the Savage Model 99... but I especially prefer the "late model EG's made in Chicopee Falls, Mass. from 1946 to about 1954 the best (Ser.# 438,000 to about 800,000).  Of the "late Model EG's, I believe these years had better quality than the newer EG's made through 1970.  With their slender schnoble-tipped forearm, I believe they look like THE "classic" they are moreso than the other models.

As I've mentioned in previous posts in this thread, the 99's made prior to 1,000,000 are generally considered to have better quality and workmanship... and I feel the 99's made from 1920's through the mid-to-late 1950's have excellent workmanship and the best quality.

If I were looking to buy a Model 99, I'd look for an EG made from 1946 through the mid-1950's in .300 Savage caliber since the .300 Savage is "THE" classic caliber in the Model 99 in my opinion.

However, the .250 Savage (aka ".250/3000") is a much sought-after caliber as is a Model 99 in .358 Winchester for those who hunt larger game like elk, caribou, bear and moose.

From my experience, the .284 Winchester is possibly "THE" most rare caliber in the Model 99.  But starting in 1955, Savage began offering an expanding list of several cartridges in the Model 99 based on the .308 Winchester cartridge case... however, I prefer the .300 Savage to any of the others.  It does everything pretty well.

As to what calibers were available in the various models of the Savage Model 99, here is a list of calibers that I've compiled so far:
 
.22 Hi-Power
.22-250
.243
.25-35
.250-3000
.284 Win
7mm-08
.303 Sav.
.300 Sav.
.30-30
.308
.32-40
.358
.375
.38-55

I understand that several wildcat calibers are believed to be factory specials from time to time.  With anything involving the old Savage Arms Company and their records, you can never say "Never".


Strength & Honor...

Ron T.