older Savage 99 ?

R

rebs

New member
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 ?
 
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.
 
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 :eek:
 
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.
 
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
 
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!?
 
"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.
 
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)
 
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.
 
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.
 
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.
 
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.:)
 
This Savage was my Fathers and Grandfathers favorite deer rifle and my Dad shot a few black bear with it as well.
 
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.
 
Mine works fine and it was made 111 years ago.


standard.jpg
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top