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I recently acquired a savage 99 in 300 savage. The lever boss code is 3D so I believe that means it dates to 1952. Has a brass counter and the lever block safety. Seems like a very well built rifle - and pretty hefty. It has an old Weaver K2.5 scope with really neat mounts that are hinged and allow the whole scope to pivot over to the left if you want to use the sights. Seems to be in good condition. Haven't shot it yet. One question, and I know this is subjective, but how difficult is it normally to close the action on a 99. On this rifle, the action works very easily except for the final lock up takes a little squeeze. Its not hard to close the action, but is harder than my marlins or winchesters. Just making sure this is normal. Also, opening the action takes a little pull and after that it will just fall open. Anyways, I've never worked the lever on a 99 before and wasn't sure how snug opening and closing was supposed to be.
The other question is I'm thinking of having the old weaver scope reconditioned by the ironsightinc guys. anyone ever use this service and can recommend?
Nice looking 99! most all of them are real slick until locking up or un locking them, sounds like yours is normal
tried calling in a coyote tonight with my 99 in 243 but I had no success
cant help ya on the scope
One question, and I know this is subjective, but how difficult is it normally to close the action on a 99.
On this rifle, the action works very easily except for the final lock up takes a little squeeze.
Just making sure this is normal. Also, opening the action takes a little pull and after that it will just fall open.
It's completely normal.
Savage 1899/99's cock on closing, which is why it's a touch harder to lock into & out of battery than rifles like the Winchesters, that cock on opening.
That era Model 99EG was heavier than I like, so I sold mine & lucked into a .303 (aka: 30-30) Model 1899H Lightweight carbine that's more than a pound lighter to tote around.
I don't mind the weight so much, I don't usually have to walk super far where I hunt. I'll mostly have to get used to the length. at 24" its the longest barrel on a rifle that I own.
I've had a number of Savage 1899, 99 and even a few 1895 guns. All had slick actions, and no lock up issues. They had a little resistance as the lever traveled the last half inch or so, but not great resistance.
Old Savage wrote: ↑Mon Nov 04, 2019 11:17 am
Pete, you seem to be saying 303 is a 30-30???
Physically, the .303 Savage is different from the .30-30. Ballistically, there's no difference between the two.
The .303 Savage is a close competitor of the .30-30, ballistically speaking - and even throws .308" slugs.
I just wish that some entity would make ammo with the 190gr JSP's, ILO the 150gr slugs that the new Hornady ammo is loaded with (I like heavy-for-caliber boolits).
On reviewing the ballistics it would seem that the .303 is much closer to the 30-40 Krag than the 30-30. I only have the Hodgdon #27 here at the office. I will investigate further at home.
In the High Desert of Southern Calif. ..."on the cutting edge of going back in time"...
Ok, checked Speer on the 303. Definitely 30-40. And, they make a 180. Only conclusion - Pete has been kidnapped and he is trying to send us a message with this 30-30 comparison.
In the High Desert of Southern Calif. ..."on the cutting edge of going back in time"...
Case type Rimmed, bottlenecked
Bullet diameter .309 in (7.8 mm)
Neck diameter .330 in (8.4 mm)
Shoulder diameter .401 in (10.2 mm)
Base diameter .422 in (10.7 mm)
Rim diameter .506 in (12.9 mm)
Rim thickness .063 in (1.6 mm)
Case length 2.039 in (51.8 mm)
Overall length 2.550 in (64.8 mm)
Primer type large rifle
.303 Savage:
Case type Rimmed, bottleneck
Bullet diameter .308 in (7.8 mm)
Neck diameter .333 in (8.5 mm)
Shoulder diameter .413 in (10.5 mm)
Base diameter .442 in (11.2 mm)
Rim diameter .505 in (12.8 mm)
Rim thickness .063 in (1.6 mm)
Case length 2.015 in (51.2 mm)
Overall length 2.520 in (64.0 mm)
Primer type Large rifle
The 30/30 and the .303 Savage are virtually identical ballistically and in bullet diameter and powder capacity. The .303 Savage made its reputation with the 190 grain Silver Tip bullet.
The 30/40 Krag and the .303 British are virtually identical ballistically and dimensionally except for bulley diaeter.
Old Savage wrote: ↑Tue Nov 05, 2019 6:37 pm
Speer says the 303 bullet diameter is .311 and of course the 30-30 is .308.
It seems a little nutty today, but back then (when metallic CF were relatively new) everyone who introduced a "new" cartridge made theirs just a little bit different, presumably to differentiate their offering from the competition.
.311" is the diameter for the .303 British, and not the .303 Savage.
BTY, I haven't been kidnapped - I'm just a legend in my own mind....
Pete, I stand corrected. Indeed the 303 Savage would appear to be very close to the 30-30 though it looks like it would not chamber in a 30-30 the reverse might be true. Any experience with that?
In the High Desert of Southern Calif. ..."on the cutting edge of going back in time"...
