older Savage 99 ?

rebs · November 16, 2013, 09:59 AM

I hjave an older Savage rifle in 300 savage cal. It was my Grandfather's then my fathers and now passed on to me. It is in excellent condition. Being quite an older rifle will it be safe to shoot factory loaded 300 savage ammo in it ?

Guv · November 16, 2013, 10:06 AM

I would say take it to a reputable gun smith and if he says it's okay, if so use it. The 300 in it's day was a hot little number.

Art Eatman · November 16, 2013, 10:09 AM

Absent abuse, I see no reason why it wouldn't be safe. Never hurts to get the headspace checked, of course.

rebs · November 16, 2013, 10:20 AM

It was last fired about 5 years ago and since then has been in a gun safe.

Duzell · November 16, 2013, 06:02 PM

look on youtube on how to disassemble and check it out, lube it up, and take to a safe firing range (area)

a disassembly video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G5vDpIFiKFM

subhuman · November 16, 2013, 07:23 PM

about that disassemble, unless you are real sharp and good with your hands,and have a lot of patince dont take that rotary magazine apart

AllenJ · November 16, 2013, 07:44 PM

I have an older model 99 and it belong to my grandfather and father. I let my youngest son use it this year during deer season. He practiced with it many times over the summer using both factory rounds and reloads. If your gun is in good condition there is no doubt in my mind you can shoot factory ammo in it.

Jack O'Conner · November 17, 2013, 05:36 AM

The Savage 99 is a strong action built with very good steel. This action has been used to chamber faster cartridges than your 300 including .284 Winchester and .308.

Around here, 300 Savage rifles are occaisonally found on used racks. Pricing is typically about $575. and higher based upon condition.

Good hunting to you.
Jack

MattShlock · November 17, 2013, 09:02 PM

I agree with Art. Unless you see a reason to suspect it age alone wouldn't make it dangerous. Do you have some reason to be suspicious?

Out of an abundance of caution you could have it inspected. Are you a new shooter for all intent and purpose!?

**Mike Irwin** · November 18, 2013, 08:51 AM

"about that disassemble, unless you are real sharp and good with your hands,and have a lot of patince dont take that rotary magazine apart"

Even if you are smart and good with your hands, DO NOT disassemble the rotary magazine.

rebs · November 18, 2013, 02:01 PM

no reason to be suspicious just being cautious. It hasn't been shot in about five years.

johnwilliamson062 · November 18, 2013, 07:00 PM

A long string is cheaper than a gunsmith. Well, unless you need a gunsmith after you pull the string.
I'd not worry about a gun fired 5 years ago unless there was visible damage(rust, bent, cracked,etc)

math teacher · November 19, 2013, 12:58 AM

While it is true that Savage 99s were made in 308 or 284, you cannot just run a 308 reamer in a pre-308 300 Savage chamber and make it into a 308. The receiver needs to be heat treated to stand the higher pressure. Not worth the effort for the little gain. Likewise the 300 should not be loaded to the same pressure as the 308. That said, not being fired in the last 5 years or the last 30 for that matter is irrelevant. I have gone a lot more that five years at a time between shooting my two 300s. As stated before what is important is its current condition.

rebs · November 19, 2013, 07:12 AM

The bore looks great, the entire rifle is clean and the action is very smooth. I put 3 rounds in the rotary shell holder and they cycled fine, they all chambered and extracted smoothly. I have an appointment tomorrow with a local gun smith to have him check it out before I shoot it, just to be safe.

tahoe2 · November 19, 2013, 10:03 AM

I have a model 99 in 300 Savage from 1951, that has also been passed down for 3 generations.
I hand-load for it, and it will still put 5 shots under 2" at 100.
It has taken numerous deer and elk, although not by me. Great gun enjoy it.

**Mike Irwin** · November 19, 2013, 12:14 PM

My 99 is from 1936.

I've not shot it in a number of years, but I love shooting it nonetheless.

swman · November 19, 2013, 01:02 PM

My Dad had a M99 from 1947 in .300 as did my uncle. I use to shoot woodchucks with it with open sights. Needless to say many a whitetail was taken with the .300.

rebs · November 19, 2013, 04:16 PM

This Savage was my Fathers and Grandfathers favorite deer rifle and my Dad shot a few black bear with it as well.

Gunplummer · November 19, 2013, 04:37 PM

MathTeacher: Show us where you read that the newer receivers have different steel/heat treating. I have heard this rumor for years and no one can produce facts. It is the SAME receiver with MORE metal milled out to accommodate the longer cartridge length. I would be leary of any rifle produced before 1920, but due to testing procedures, not the grade of steel. I am to lazy to look it up, but think the .300 did not make the seen until at least the 30's. When the detachable magazine model was introduced, there may have been steel/heat treating changes. I simply do not know. The basic structure of the receiver was changed when this new model came out, so it is possible there were material changes.

SaxonPig · November 19, 2013, 08:25 PM

Mine works fine and it was made 111 years ago.

rebs · November 19, 2013, 08:41 PM

Mine is drilled and tapped for the tang mounted peep site, but I don't have one. Doea anyone4 have one they would sell ?

**Mike Irwin** · November 20, 2013, 09:42 AM

"I am to lazy to look it up, but think the .300 did not make the seen until at least the 30's."

The .300 Savage cartridge was, IIRC, announced in the 1920 catalog, but didn't become available until 1921.

rebs · November 22, 2013, 06:00 AM

My rifle checked out fine by the gun smith and I shot it yesterday with some 150 gr soft points. What a beautiful rifle, I love it. My eyes just aren't what they used to be for open sights, I am looking at getting a tang mounted peep sight for it since it is already driller and tapped for one. It is not drilled and tapped for a scope. Would having it drilled and tapped decrease its value ? I am leaning more toward a peep sight since I think that would be more original for the era the rifle is from.
Do you guys have a pet bullet weight and powder for plinking and range target shooting with this rifle ?

**Mike Irwin** · November 22, 2013, 07:50 AM

"Would having it drilled and tapped decrease its value ?"

From a collector's standpoint, strictly speaking, yes it would.

From a user's standpoint, it would likely increase the value a bit to someone who wants to use it for hunting.

The .300 Savage is at its absolute best with bullets in the 150 to 165-gr. range. I generally have loaded 150s.

Clark · November 22, 2013, 11:37 AM

I have a 1903 Sav 99 in great shape that cost me $500+ and I am not going to drill and tap it.
I have not shot it.

I have a 1917 Sav 99 all beat up that cost me $100+ and I drilled and tapped it. It is a take down model, and I made a bull barrel for it and shot tiny groups.

November 16, 2013, 09:59 AM	#1
rebs Senior Member Join Date: January 10, 2012 Posts: 3,881	older Savage 99 ? I hjave an older Savage rifle in 300 savage cal. It was my Grandfather's then my fathers and now passed on to me. It is in excellent condition. Being quite an older rifle will it be safe to shoot factory loaded 300 savage ammo in it ?

November 16, 2013, 06:02 PM	#5
Duzell Senior Member Join Date: October 30, 2011 Location: Monterey Posts: 803	look on youtube on how to disassemble and check it out, lube it up, and take to a safe firing range (area) a disassembly video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G5vDpIFiKFM __________________ Guard against the impostures of pretended patriotism. -GW

November 17, 2013, 05:36 AM	#8
Jack O'Conner Senior Member Join Date: July 11, 2005 Location: Manatee County, Florida Posts: 1,976	The Savage 99 is a strong action built with very good steel. This action has been used to chamber faster cartridges than your 300 including .284 Winchester and .308. Around here, 300 Savage rifles are occaisonally found on used racks. Pricing is typically about $575. and higher based upon condition. Good hunting to you. Jack __________________ Fire up the grill! Deer hunting IS NOT catch and release.

November 18, 2013, 08:51 AM	#10
Mike Irwin Staff Join Date: April 13, 2000 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 41,380	"about that disassemble, unless you are real sharp and good with your hands,and have a lot of patince dont take that rotary magazine apart" Even if you are smart and good with your hands, DO NOT disassemble the rotary magazine. __________________ "The gift which I am sending you is called a dog, and is in fact the most precious and valuable possession of mankind" -Theodorus Gaza Baby Jesus cries when the fat redneck doesn't have military-grade firepower.

November 19, 2013, 10:03 AM	#15
tahoe2 Senior Member Join Date: August 13, 2011 Location: Seattle area Posts: 661	model 99 I have a model 99 in 300 Savage from 1951, that has also been passed down for 3 generations. I hand-load for it, and it will still put 5 shots under 2" at 100. It has taken numerous deer and elk, although not by me. Great gun enjoy it.

November 16, 2013, 10:06 AM	#2
Guv Senior Member Join Date: February 24, 2012 Location: South Texas Posts: 2,126	I would say take it to a reputable gun smith and if he says it's okay, if so use it. The 300 in it's day was a hot little number.

November 16, 2013, 10:09 AM	#3
Art Eatman Staff in Memoriam Join Date: November 13, 1998 Location: Terlingua, TX; Thomasville, GA Posts: 24,798	Absent abuse, I see no reason why it wouldn't be safe. Never hurts to get the headspace checked, of course.

November 16, 2013, 10:20 AM	#4
rebs Senior Member Join Date: January 10, 2012 Posts: 3,881	It was last fired about 5 years ago and since then has been in a gun safe.

November 16, 2013, 07:23 PM	#6
subhuman Senior Member Join Date: April 21, 2013 Location: Alabama Posts: 383	about that disassemble, unless you are real sharp and good with your hands,and have a lot of patince dont take that rotary magazine apart

November 16, 2013, 07:44 PM	#7
AllenJ Senior Member Join Date: December 11, 2009 Location: Northern California Posts: 1,766	I have an older model 99 and it belong to my grandfather and father. I let my youngest son use it this year during deer season. He practiced with it many times over the summer using both factory rounds and reloads. If your gun is in good condition there is no doubt in my mind you can shoot factory ammo in it.

November 17, 2013, 09:02 PM	#9
MattShlock Senior Member Join Date: April 8, 2013 Posts: 251	I agree with Art. Unless you see a reason to suspect it age alone wouldn't make it dangerous. Do you have some reason to be suspicious? Out of an abundance of caution you could have it inspected. Are you a new shooter for all intent and purpose!?

November 18, 2013, 02:01 PM	#11
rebs Senior Member Join Date: January 10, 2012 Posts: 3,881	no reason to be suspicious just being cautious. It hasn't been shot in about five years.

November 18, 2013, 07:00 PM	#12
johnwilliamson062 Junior member Join Date: May 16, 2008 Posts: 9,995	A long string is cheaper than a gunsmith. Well, unless you need a gunsmith after you pull the string. I'd not worry about a gun fired 5 years ago unless there was visible damage(rust, bent, cracked,etc)

November 19, 2013, 12:58 AM	#13
math teacher Senior Member Join Date: February 5, 2012 Location: Southwest WA Coast Posts: 558	While it is true that Savage 99s were made in 308 or 284, you cannot just run a 308 reamer in a pre-308 300 Savage chamber and make it into a 308. The receiver needs to be heat treated to stand the higher pressure. Not worth the effort for the little gain. Likewise the 300 should not be loaded to the same pressure as the 308. That said, not being fired in the last 5 years or the last 30 for that matter is irrelevant. I have gone a lot more that five years at a time between shooting my two 300s. As stated before what is important is its current condition.

November 19, 2013, 07:12 AM	#14
rebs Senior Member Join Date: January 10, 2012 Posts: 3,881	The bore looks great, the entire rifle is clean and the action is very smooth. I put 3 rounds in the rotary shell holder and they cycled fine, they all chambered and extracted smoothly. I have an appointment tomorrow with a local gun smith to have him check it out before I shoot it, just to be safe.

November 19, 2013, 12:14 PM	#16
Mike Irwin Staff Join Date: April 13, 2000 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 41,380	My 99 is from 1936. I've not shot it in a number of years, but I love shooting it nonetheless. __________________ "The gift which I am sending you is called a dog, and is in fact the most precious and valuable possession of mankind" -Theodorus Gaza Baby Jesus cries when the fat redneck doesn't have military-grade firepower.

November 19, 2013, 01:02 PM	#17
swman Senior Member Join Date: March 14, 2005 Location: Northern VA Posts: 152	My Dad had a M99 from 1947 in .300 as did my uncle. I use to shoot woodchucks with it with open sights. Needless to say many a whitetail was taken with the .300.

November 19, 2013, 04:16 PM	#18
rebs Senior Member Join Date: January 10, 2012 Posts: 3,881	This Savage was my Fathers and Grandfathers favorite deer rifle and my Dad shot a few black bear with it as well.

November 19, 2013, 04:37 PM	#19
Gunplummer Senior Member Join Date: March 11, 2010 Location: South East Pa. Posts: 3,364	MathTeacher: Show us where you read that the newer receivers have different steel/heat treating. I have heard this rumor for years and no one can produce facts. It is the SAME receiver with MORE metal milled out to accommodate the longer cartridge length. I would be leary of any rifle produced before 1920, but due to testing procedures, not the grade of steel. I am to lazy to look it up, but think the .300 did not make the seen until at least the 30's. When the detachable magazine model was introduced, there may have been steel/heat treating changes. I simply do not know. The basic structure of the receiver was changed when this new model came out, so it is possible there were material changes.

November 19, 2013, 08:25 PM	#20
SaxonPig Senior Member Join Date: April 24, 2006 Posts: 1,900	Mine works fine and it was made 111 years ago.

November 19, 2013, 08:41 PM	#21
rebs Senior Member Join Date: January 10, 2012 Posts: 3,881	Mine is drilled and tapped for the tang mounted peep site, but I don't have one. Doea anyone4 have one they would sell ?

November 20, 2013, 09:42 AM	#22
Mike Irwin Staff Join Date: April 13, 2000 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 41,380	"I am to lazy to look it up, but think the .300 did not make the seen until at least the 30's." The .300 Savage cartridge was, IIRC, announced in the 1920 catalog, but didn't become available until 1921. __________________ "The gift which I am sending you is called a dog, and is in fact the most precious and valuable possession of mankind" -Theodorus Gaza Baby Jesus cries when the fat redneck doesn't have military-grade firepower.

November 22, 2013, 06:00 AM	#23
rebs Senior Member Join Date: January 10, 2012 Posts: 3,881	My rifle checked out fine by the gun smith and I shot it yesterday with some 150 gr soft points. What a beautiful rifle, I love it. My eyes just aren't what they used to be for open sights, I am looking at getting a tang mounted peep sight for it since it is already driller and tapped for one. It is not drilled and tapped for a scope. Would having it drilled and tapped decrease its value ? I am leaning more toward a peep sight since I think that would be more original for the era the rifle is from. Do you guys have a pet bullet weight and powder for plinking and range target shooting with this rifle ?

November 22, 2013, 07:50 AM	#24
Mike Irwin Staff Join Date: April 13, 2000 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 41,380	"Would having it drilled and tapped decrease its value ?" From a collector's standpoint, strictly speaking, yes it would. From a user's standpoint, it would likely increase the value a bit to someone who wants to use it for hunting. The .300 Savage is at its absolute best with bullets in the 150 to 165-gr. range. I generally have loaded 150s. __________________ "The gift which I am sending you is called a dog, and is in fact the most precious and valuable possession of mankind" -Theodorus Gaza Baby Jesus cries when the fat redneck doesn't have military-grade firepower.