Savage 99C rare caliber dilemma

[Jocko-44]

I have a Savage 99C in .22-250. I find that the .22-250 cartridge was added to the Model 99C in 1977 and discontinued in 1980. Hard to guess how many were made, but from Googling they are indeed rare. My dilemma is - should I sell the rifle now while the market is hot or wait 20 years when I retire? Everyone has seen used gun prices explode in the last couple years and lever action have no exception. One recently sold on GB in February for $2525. Rifle is not mint, has "honest wear" and is all original. Nobody has carved there name into it or added extra holes or anything like that. 99s aren't very common in my neck of the woods, so I'm not really sure on its value. Are these desired by the 99 collectors? Looking for some input, Thanks

 

[DWalt]

Depends on whether you need the money now or not. It is not possible to predict its value 20 years in the future or related factors such as inflation rate. And there is always the possibility that all guns in civilian hands might have been confiscated by then or maybe stolen from you. I personally would sell it now as it is unlikely that I will be around in 20 years.

 

[985Plowboy]

The pre million serial number, pre 1960 Chicopee Made rifles are the most sought after. But an odd caliber from a small run would probably get some attention.
So Yes, I think collector's would probably want a 22-250.

No idea what you'd get for it and you'd definitely need to sell where you could get it in front of said collectors. Meaning sell it online.
If you decide to sell it now at an assumed high price are you really making a lot of money?
Would $2500 for a rifle in the time of $4.00/gallon gasoline be the same as $2500 when it was gas was $2.00/gal?
Not really.
If you need the money sell it.
If you don't, hang on to it.

 

[glenwolde]

I'd keep it, because $2,500 in cash would not significantly improve my life. However that is not the case with everyone I'm sure. No judgement there, just the reality that stuff happens and life often has a component of luck (good or bad) to it.

 

[CH4]

Jocko, congrats on a cool and rare rifle. About a year ago I acquired an unfired 99 Brush Gun in 358 Win from 77-78. Guy at a gun show had it under the table instead of displayed with his other 99s. He asked what I was looking for and I told him, "a 358." That's when he reached under the table and pulled her out. He was the original owner and never shot it. Its condition supports his claim. I couldn't pay the $1100 fast enough. I wouldn't sell it if someone offered $3K cash. I didn't buy it to flip, it's one I'd been looking for for 25 years.

 

[Jocko-44]

^^^ Wow, that's a beauty CH4! Congrats

 

[Puller]

20 years from now I fear guns will be illegal in America.

Freedom is a fragile thing and it's never more than one generation away from extinction. - RR

 

[mtgianni]

If I had it in today's market I would flip it for something I would use. It may double in price by the time you retire but so might something else.

 

[AlHunt]

Sell it now. Spend the money on ... something. The money will be gone, the gun will be gone and you'll have nothing.

Any other thing you buy could as easily increase or decrease in value. Money is certain to decrease in value. Even if you sock the money away in the bank, it'll become less valuable in the next 20 years.

I wouldn't sell it unless I needed the liquid cash for some immediate need,

 

[David.Hylton]

I sold some stuff recently because I was tired of maintaining them without really enjoying them. If you shoot the 22-250 keep it and enjoy it, the same if it it has sentimental value.

If it is just sitting there, sell it and get (or do)something you enjoy.

 

[lrb1200]

Reputable pristine rifle in an uncommon caliber?

Win...Win....if you have the contacts and ability to market it.

Your call.

 

[StakeOut]

Sell it now. Spend the money on ... something. The money will be gone, the gun will be gone and you'll have nothing.

Any other thing you buy could as easily increase or decrease in value. Money is certain to decrease in value. Even if you sock the money away in the bank, it'll become less valuable in the next 20 years.

I wouldn't sell it unless I needed the liquid cash for some immediate need,

sell it and buy land.real estate is the way to go

 

[moosedog]

In 20 years they may all be illegal.

 

[hkcavalier]

I would sell. I'm middle aged and my 'feel' is that the folks that collect guns like 99s (and Winchesters, and Colt SAAs, et al) are an aging group, no offense meant toward any of them, but it's reality. The vast majority of gun collectors I've met in my age group are into milsurps (both sides of the Iron Curtain). I talk to them about odd variants of S&W revolvers, prewar Colts, rare 99s like the .358 or .284, and they stare back like there's a hand growing out of my forehead.

The gun boards in my area are rife with classics like Win 71s, Savage 99s, Ruger No.1s, factory engraved Browning BARs in out-of-fashion calibers, etc. The buyer group for nice blued steel & wood rifles is a shrinking one.

 

[oneoff]

There's only one valid reason to keep any gun, and that is that you want it, or may "at least" want it one day.
If you don't want it, sell it.
But, you'll never buy another one, even if you got lucky enough to find one. It isn't hurting anything if it's not hurting you to keep it safe! I wouldn't sell it if it were mine, but I wouldn't give you what you'll get for it either.

 

[Jocko-44]

sell it and buy land.real estate is the way to go

Not buying much land at $2500, no offense. Acre of decent farmland goes for around 10K in my neck of the woods.

 

[Jocko-44]

Reputable pristine rifle in an uncommon caliber?

Win...Win....if you have the contacts and ability to market it.

Your call.

GB Consignment would be the way to go. Millions of eyeballs to see it and bid, for a small fee of course..

 

[Buick]

Thats a Westfield gun...imho if i knew i could get over 2k for it i would sell it in a heartbeat. I have a straight grip 99A in .250 Sav....also a Westfield made gun....i'm hanging on to it for my daughter or grandson. It doesnt eat much.

 

[ken158]

Sell it now for $2K and put the money somewhere at 4% interest and in 20 years you will have abut $4400. Getting $2K may be tough on a used gun but I am not a Savage collector so I have no idea. Point is that guns are not good investments unless very special / rare.

 

[Muddyboot]

I would scope it and make some groundhogs dead.