I have been looking for a good shooter grade savage 99 in the 300 savage caliber for a brush gun for deer season. One showed up locally made in 1962. It has been drilled and tapped for a scope and a sling added, it's a 99E model. The owner is interested in a Taurus 617 7 round titanium snub nose 357 mag. I haven't carried it in over a year. I have a little more in it the he is asking for the savage but in the long run I think the 99 would hold more value and I would use it. It's not in great shape but not abused either just well used. What do you think would you make the trade?

Which one do you do you want more? I wouldn't. I like 99's, I like 300's, I don't like 99 E's.

I don't know I'm up in the air on this one. But seeing as I have a 3" 65-3 and a 340 M&P they do everything the Taurus does and better other then one or two extra rounds. This would be my second savage 99, with the first being an EG model made in 1958 in 243 caliber. Found it in a corner at an estate sell for $350. I don't believe it was ever hunted with or shot very little with no marks or dings on the stock or the blueing. The only pre 1960 savage 99 in 243 that I have ever seen.

No Doubt, trade the Taurus! You can always find a replacement(S&W!) revolver. Those 99's don't come around every day.

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Dave

I would not make this trade as much as I love the Savage 99.

Let me qualify my answer. I have a 75th Anniversary 1895 Commemorative ... I am the original owner. Basically, the Savage 99 style rifle is an orphan, and many of the so-called modern gunsmiths have never seen a Savage 99. On top of that, the 99 action is a bit complicated, and not exactly one that encourages detailed maintenance by the owner. While the 99 is a durable action, it will eventually need to see a competent gunsmith, not a parts swapper. To the best of my knowledge, there is only one gunsmith with Savage experience within a hundred miles of my home, and his reputation is not that solid. Additionally, I am cheap and I despise the idea of paying someone to learn on my dollar!

I would not trade a perfectly good firearm for a firearm that may need the services of a gunsmith in the near future.

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Judge control not gun control!

I'd make the trade so fast there would be scorch marks in the air. I bought a Savage 99c (.308 Winchester) last year and was impressed by this fine little rifle. You have indicated you already have other revolvers that can fulfill the role for the Taurus, and you already have a Savage 99 in your collection - so no mysteries there.

Go ahead and make the trade before the other guy comes to his senses.

Best of luck,

Dave

Well I sent him some pics of the Taurus guess I will have to wait until tomorrow to see. But he hasn't reposted the rifle in the local classifieds since yesterday before I spoke to him the first time. My fingers are crossed.

Best of luck in your trade. You can buy Tauri all day long, the Savage 99 is grtting hard to find, regardless of the model.

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Even older, even crankier....

I don't know what that Taurus is worth but I can tell you that most of the post war 99s in 300 Savage are bringing around $450 here in central Pennsylvania and that includes the late models with detachable clip instead of the rotary mag. There a a lot of them around too, and all models have been rising steadily in price regardless of caliber. The prewar guns are fetching upwards of 1K and more.
They are not made any more and collector interest is increasing.
I have bought two 300 Savage rifles in the past three years, both EG models. I got a very good buy on the first mainly because it had butt stock cut back an inch or two and an after market recoil pad fitted. Paid $350. Gave it to my brother as he always wanted one.
Got the second one last year for $450. It came with an older Weaver K4 scope. Neither rifle are pristine and show use from years afield. They both shoot great and are a pleasure to carry hunting.
I've known many hunters who have used them over the years and am not aware of any inherent problem with the design.
Personally, I'd rather have a nice piece of well made Americana that a Brazilian copy of a S&W. But that's just me.

John

Hmmm...just took a peek on GB for a quick price check. If that 99 is in decent shape, I'd be making that trade. Good luck!

John

The Taurus would be gone! and the 99 at home in it's place.

I think a '62 vintage Savage 99 is late enough where they were drilled and tapped at the factory for 'scope mts (everyone seems to need those).
So there's no extra expense in mounting one if you want one & if I'm correct in my guess.

I don't think '99s are particularly hard to work on to strip and clean though they rarely need it. No big issues come to mind with them. They do suffer from butt stocks developing a crack on the top next to the frame sometimes.
They are different inside from the normal bolt rifle for sure, but no big mysterys . About the only thing different in reassembly is rewinding the mag spool spring.
2 /12 turns does it then re-insert the cross pin/screw in the frame thru the closest notch of the 4 in the spindle. That gives you enough tension for positive feeding all 5 from the mag.

Grab the 99 Savage, you will be ahead in the long run. Savage
99s aren't hard to work on at all. They have a good rep. for
accuracy & durability. One of that vintage is a good one. The
99s are increasing in value, I doubt that there will ever be any
collector value to any Taurus.

If you want that rifle, YES.

Primarily because you are trading a gun that you do not use for a rifle you will hunt with I'd make the trade even if the Taurus is worth a little more which I doubt.
You did not write if you bought the Taurus new or used but if you bought it new then saying you have "more in it" is false logic because the Taurus is a used gun.

I like 99s and 1899s. They are a classic deer rifle. Good luck on your hunt.

I think for you it would be a good trade. A quick look at completed sales of taurus 357's in 2" on gunbroker shows many listed, but very few selling. Bids go up to about $300 and stop and they never sell because the reserve is too high. The model 99E was Savage's "economy" model in the 60's. It will have a birch stock, and it will be factory drilled and tapped. It will never have any Collector value, but it will make you a nice shooter, and hunting rifle. These are currently selling between $375-$550, depending on caliber and condition. The 308's and 243's bring the higher prices. Seems like a decent trade in your situation.

Well looks like the trade is more than likely going to go through. We just need to schedule a time to meet. It may not be until next Monday but will let you all know once I have. And thank you all for the much needed input, it was greatly appreciated. That's the great place about this site. Most everyone on here seems knowledgable and more than happy to help a feller out. Thanks again.