Savage 99E

Right to bear arms · July 21, 2018, 03:57 PM

Well folks I did it again. I had a few shekels saved up and couldn't turn down a 1962 vintage Savage 99E in .308. Wood is perfect, metal is 95-99%. I paid $550 for it out the door from a private party. To assuage my conscience I often ask Firingline Forum members of their opinion of the purchase. I intend to keep the gun and not turn it into a "safe queen". Any comments from any savage aficionados would be appreciated. software won't let me upload pictures.

oldscot3 · July 21, 2018, 06:09 PM

I expect you did alright, they're not making any more after all. My understanding is that the E s were later production variants with plain wood and not highly desired by those who do collect 99s religiously, but it sounds like you intend to use it and enjoy shooting it, so who cares. Congrats on your purchase.

muzzleblast... · July 21, 2018, 06:38 PM

I'd say five Benjamins and one Ulysses was a fair price for a high condition 99E.

It's not like you can order a new one from Western Auto, or Sears any more.

ThomasT · July 21, 2018, 07:41 PM

A few years ago I found a 99E in a pawn shop for $275 and bought it. Mine had a blonde hardwood stock with 20" barrel in 243 and had the magazine in the action instead of a separate magazine. But no round counter window.

I shot it a little and was offered $475 for it after I had refinished the stock a walnut color. I truly regret ever selling that gun. It was short and light and shot like crazy. Just anything you put in it shot under 2" groups. What a nice little gun it was.

I didn't like that it didn't have the defined panels on the sides of the action or the schnabel forend. In hindsight that was NOT a big deal.

Enjoy your rifle. And if it makes you happy you didn't pay too much. Money comes and goes. Rifles are forever.

dgludwig · July 22, 2018, 12:31 PM

Quote:

I didn't like that it didn't have the defined panels on the sides of the action

Neither would I but, like you said, it's not a big deal. Many very high grade twin barrel shotguns lack them too. I think the op got a great deal on what appears to be a Model 99 rifle in excellent condition.

Right to bear arms · July 22, 2018, 03:18 PM

Thank s to all of you for your relies. I probably will look for a compact 2-7x scope for the 99. My only dilemma is what to hunt with this fall. I bought a pre-64 70 in .270 last year that needs to see the deer woods again.

dgludwig · July 22, 2018, 04:42 PM

Quote:

I probably will look for a compact 2-7x scope for the 99.

Did you ever consider a receiver sight in lieu of a scope for your classic lever-action rifle? Williams makes a nice one that I have mounted on more than a couple of my rifles.

Drm50 · July 22, 2018, 05:53 PM

It's hard to find a beater shooter for $550. You would have a time trying to find
a late production, Clip Mag. Hardwood stock in 60% condition for that money.
That is more than a fair price. A gun like that would start at $800 here.

Roamin_Wade · July 23, 2018, 12:00 AM

Don’t be surprised if it is a sub-minute rifle. Savage 99’s are known for their world class accuracy for blue collar prices. You will love that gun but you can’t compare it to a bolt action and the complicated reservoir precludes taking it all the way down easily so stuff a rag down in the works to scrub the barrel so it doesn’t pollute the reservoir with barrel cleanings. Enjoy...><

Charlie98 · July 23, 2018, 07:08 AM

I've got a 99F in .308, the fellow I bought it off of says as the barrel heats up it tends to string shots... but that is not what I found, this thing is like a laser beam!

I have loaded some jacketed bullets in mine, but I bought it primarily to shoot cast. The integral magazine is a little sensitive to cartridge length... my 168grn BTHP Noslers were hanging up, but I don't have that problem with anything else.

I mounted a Williams peep on mine, it works fantastic.

99 4th from the left...

Ricklin · July 23, 2018, 08:08 AM

Just a WAG, charlie 98 is rather fond of aperture sights.

saleen322 · July 23, 2018, 02:02 PM

Model 99s in 308 Win bring a premium around here as the 300 Sav is very common. $550 would be a very fair price here. Good luck with your Savage.

Charlie98 · July 23, 2018, 09:30 PM

Quote:

Just a WAG, charlie 98 is rather fond of aperture sights.

I can't use open (leaf) sights anymore, and I don't like glass... Shoot, my AR's don't even have optics on them, just peepers.

Sure Shot Mc Gee · July 24, 2018, 09:26 AM

Got one just like it. Only mine is in 300 sav. Best tote lever for the woods ever made in my opinion. (Es are)
Congratulations on spending your hard earned Geen Backs on a ever increasing in value long gun. "good trade sir"

Right to bear arms · July 24, 2018, 07:04 PM

I can't thank all of you "old timers" enough. I think I'll just tuck this 99 under my jacket and wait in my favorite deer woods this fall. It's not always about killing the deer but getting alone under a southern hardwood and wondering what the old days were like.

July 21, 2018, 07:41 PM	#4
ThomasT Senior Member Join Date: January 22, 2009 Location: Texas Posts: 2,751	A few years ago I found a 99E in a pawn shop for $275 and bought it. Mine had a blonde hardwood stock with 20" barrel in 243 and had the magazine in the action instead of a separate magazine. But no round counter window. I shot it a little and was offered $475 for it after I had refinished the stock a walnut color. I truly regret ever selling that gun. It was short and light and shot like crazy. Just anything you put in it shot under 2" groups. What a nice little gun it was. I didn't like that it didn't have the defined panels on the sides of the action or the schnabel forend. In hindsight that was NOT a big deal. Enjoy your rifle. And if it makes you happy you didn't pay too much. Money comes and goes. Rifles are forever. Last edited by ThomasT; July 21, 2018 at 08:50 PM.

July 23, 2018, 07:08 AM	#10
Charlie98 Senior Member Join Date: September 6, 2006 Location: Great state of Texas Posts: 1,077	I've got a 99F in .308, the fellow I bought it off of says as the barrel heats up it tends to string shots... but that is not what I found, this thing is like a laser beam! I have loaded some jacketed bullets in mine, but I bought it primarily to shoot cast. The integral magazine is a little sensitive to cartridge length... my 168grn BTHP Noslers were hanging up, but I don't have that problem with anything else. I mounted a Williams peep on mine, it works fantastic. 99 4th from the left... __________________ _______________ "I have this pistol pointed at your heart!" "That is my least vulnerable spot."

July 23, 2018, 08:08 AM	#11
Ricklin Senior Member Join Date: February 22, 2008 Location: SW Washington state Posts: 2,011	Hmmm Just a WAG, charlie 98 is rather fond of aperture sights. __________________ ricklin Freedom is not free

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search

July 21, 2018, 06:09 PM	#2
oldscot3 Senior Member Join Date: July 1, 2007 Location: texas Posts: 997	I expect you did alright, they're not making any more after all. My understanding is that the E s were later production variants with plain wood and not highly desired by those who do collect 99s religiously, but it sounds like you intend to use it and enjoy shooting it, so who cares. Congrats on your purchase.

July 21, 2018, 06:38 PM	#3
muzzleblast... Senior Member Join Date: April 16, 2015 Location: Obwat, TN Posts: 285	I'd say five Benjamins and one Ulysses was a fair price for a high condition 99E. It's not like you can order a new one from Western Auto, or Sears any more.

July 22, 2018, 05:53 PM	#8
Drm50 Senior Member Join Date: November 10, 2014 Posts: 1,376	It's hard to find a beater shooter for $550. You would have a time trying to find a late production, Clip Mag. Hardwood stock in 60% condition for that money. That is more than a fair price. A gun like that would start at $800 here.

July 23, 2018, 12:00 AM	#9
Roamin_Wade Junior member Join Date: July 11, 2018 Location: Baytown, TX Posts: 220	Don’t be surprised if it is a sub-minute rifle. Savage 99’s are known for their world class accuracy for blue collar prices. You will love that gun but you can’t compare it to a bolt action and the complicated reservoir precludes taking it all the way down easily so stuff a rag down in the works to scrub the barrel so it doesn’t pollute the reservoir with barrel cleanings. Enjoy...><

July 23, 2018, 02:02 PM	#12
saleen322 Senior Member Join Date: March 8, 2010 Posts: 778	Model 99s in 308 Win bring a premium around here as the 300 Sav is very common. $550 would be a very fair price here. Good luck with your Savage.

July 24, 2018, 09:26 AM	#14
Sure Shot Mc Gee Senior Member Join Date: January 2, 2012 Location: Minnesota Posts: 3,876	Got one just like it. Only mine is in 300 sav. Best tote lever for the woods ever made in my opinion. (Es are) Congratulations on spending your hard earned Geen Backs on a ever increasing in value long gun. "good trade sir"

July 24, 2018, 07:04 PM	#15
Right to bear arms Senior Member Join Date: March 6, 2011 Location: LaFayette GA Posts: 197	I can't thank all of you "old timers" enough. I think I'll just tuck this 99 under my jacket and wait in my favorite deer woods this fall. It's not always about killing the deer but getting alone under a southern hardwood and wondering what the old days were like.