From the practicality stand point. Many fellow hunters I knew back in the day (50s & 60s) preferred a lever.
Unlike what most carry afield these days. Bolts & semi-auto's were taboo too heavy. Pumps were noisy. Most everyone was on the scout for something more powerful but it had to be (not) any heavier in weight than a 30-30 or 32 Special lever.
In the early Savage calibers. 250-3000th were nice having only one problem to deal with (deflection) and still is considered by many as a preferred open country shooter. 303 Savage was nice too but not all that much different than a 30-30 or 32 special in its performance. 300 Savage on the other hand was the "hunters dream rifle."
When you compare a 308 to a 300 Savage. There's (is) a difference on paper. But in the field. I actually prefer a 300 Savage over the 308. I don't know why. I just do. Probably because whatever (size) deer I shot with mine I found it fairly quick and seldom out of my eye sight.
Then again over the years I've helped quite a few fellers track their wounded deer being shot by the infamous 06 or that spectacular 308. There deer where seldom found close. One I recall. 3 miles it traveled with a 06 hit a shade too far back on the rib cage. A killing shot just trickling dark blood here & there on the frozen ground.
Upon the animals field dressing and cavity inspection we found the 30-06 bullet had barley scratched the animals liver and it appeared not much bullet expansion took place. The animal basically ran out of blood in it's trying to evade (this) seasoned tracker. Sad but true.
Using a 150 grain bullet how comparable is the performance to the .308? The 99 has a 24" barrel so I expect approx 2600 to 2650 fps. Realistic?
How's 2800-fps sound. With its home-reloading it can be achieved. And that speed is comparable to a middle of the road velocity 308 in 150 gr weight.
For many years I've topped my 300 brass with jacketed Winy Silver Tip 170-gr F.Ps. Simply a 30-30 bullet. The upgrade sure does drop a (heavy) hammer on its intended victim.
If you're a hand loader. 300 Savage with its shorter case neck can often infuriate its reloader at times. Head space is critical. Kind'da finicky about its powder. And too many resizing with a SB Resizer can often increase the chances of a case separation on the old 300. But~~ once you learn to deal with the cartridges short comings. You'll come to understand why so many fellow 300 shooters just love their little easy carry Savage Buck Buster.
