Savage 99T--Nice Condition

[CZU]

These rifles have always interested me, have looked at a lot of them but never owned one, just never saw the one that would scratch that itch. They always had long and longer barrels and that just didn't look good to me in a lever action. I did like the schnabel forends though.

This one is a 99T (1939-40 300 Savage). I didn't know that until I got home and started the investigation about the differences of it and the others I was used to seeing. Did some searching on the internet and found a chart listing 11 different models. As to the scope mount, at first thought it a Stith but it didn't look like any Stith I had seen before. Inquired here about it and sure enough got an answer. It is a Stith, a Stith Master Mount. Searching on that did not bring much information though. The scope is a B&L Balvar post/crosshair and I'm guessing about 2 1/2 power. One more item I read about is that the letter designation of the model might or might not be found on the receiver but the forend has to be removed to see it. This one is so marked with a "T".

 

[boykinlp]

These rifles have always interested me, have looked at a lot of them but never owned one, just never saw the one that would scratch that itch. They always had long and longer barrels and that just didn't look good to me in a lever action. I did like the schnabel forends though.

This one is a 99T (1939-40 300 Savage). I didn't know that until I got home and started the investigation about the differences of it and the others I was used to seeing.

CZU, that has exactly been my experience too. The wood on yours looks very nice.
Larry

 

[sigp220.45]

That’s a beauty!

 

[1sailor]

Barely looks used in the pics. Is the finish worn thin on the bottom of the receiver? I've always been fond of schnabel fore ends myself which is one reason I bought my CZ 22lr. Your M99 looks pretty nice even without the schnabel fore end.

 

[CZU]

Barely looks used in the pics. Is the finish worn thin on the bottom of the receiver? I've always been fond of schnabel fore ends myself which is one reason I bought my CZ 22lr. Your M99 looks pretty nice even without the schnabel fore end.

I added a pic of the bottom of receiver, no thinning that I can tell. Previous owner took good care of this rifle.

 

[SS336]

If you are interested, here is a very good book on 99’s. Has all the date codes and serial numbers, great photographs, and history of the Savage 99. Pretty sure you can get it on Amazon.

 

[DWalt]

.300 Savage ammunition has been difficult to find, but if you are a reloader you will have no problems. Get a set of .300 S dies. All you need to do is run lubed .308 cases through the .300 FL die and shorten the case neck to length. I use a small tubing cutter for that. 7.62 NATO cases work as well as .308. Aside from case neck length and shoulder angle, the cases are identical.

.300 S dies are probably still readily available. I bought my Lyman die set off eBay probably around 15 years ago.

 

[gregintenn]

The “T” is one of the rarer models. 300 Savage would be the most popular chambering. Looks like you got a nice one! The only things I see that would dissuade collectors are the holes for the sling swivels and the fact the rear sight is missing. The “T” had it’s own rear sight, and they are quite hard to find and expensive if you do happen across one.

I’m pretty sure those are Bausch and Lomb mounts. The receiver was also drilled aftermarket to accommodate them. All the Stith mounts I’m aware of used the rear tang sight holes and the dovetail for the rear sight for the front mount. I’m also not aware or any Stith mounts with external adjustments. Doesn’t mean they don’t exist, I’ve just never seen any.

 

[Tex1001]

I found a '55 vintage 99F(Featherweight) in 300 Savage in 2020, just about the time the non-mainstream ammo dried up. I also have 2 others.
I've managed to resize and trim about 200 .308 cases with Lee dies and an old Pacific trimmer with a drill. They work well.
It's a minor pain, but not as bad as it could be.
The 99 is an elegant rifle. You have a beautiful example.

 

[DWalt]

I found a '55 vintage 99F(Featherweight) in 300 Savage in 2020, just about the time the non-mainstream ammo dried up. I also have 2 others.
I've managed to resize and trim about 200 .308 cases with Lee dies and an old Pacific trimmer with a drill. They work well.
It's a minor pain, but not as bad as it could be.
The 99 is an elegant rifle. You have a beautiful example.

I found around 40 fired .300 cases at a gun show for a few dollars several years ago. Something not likely to be repeated today. It’s not too unusual to see old .300 rifles which have been rechambered to .308. But I would never do that, no benefit. I also have around 200 converted .308 cases. That’s more than I need. I load mainly cast bullets.

 

[Buford57]

Thanks for sharing. That's just grand.

 

[Gene L]

Here are mine. A 1941 and a 1946.

 

[Tex1001]

I found around 40 fired .300 cases at a gun show for a few dollars several years ago. Something not likely to be repeated today. It’s not too unusual to see old .300 rifles which have been rechambered to .308. But I would never do that, no benefit. I also have around 200 converted .308 cases. That’s more than I need. I load mainly cast bullets.

I had a late model 99 in 308 with a butt-ugly blonde stock.
I heard that 308 99s could stretch receivers, so I foolishly
traded it away. Anyway-
Before the Covid lockdown, Prvi Partisan dealers stocked all sorts
of weird brass. That's how I got my 303 Savage model 1899
takedown running. Maybe some hope for the future?

 

[DWalt]

I had a late model 99 in 308 with a butt-ugly blonde stock.
I heard that 308 99s could stretch receivers, so I foolishly
traded it away. Anyway-
Before the Covid lockdown, Prvi Partisan dealers stocked all sorts
of weird brass. That's how I got my 303 Savage model 1899
takedown running. Maybe some hope for the future?

It is simple to re-form .30-30 brass to .303 S. Base diameter is a little smaller than .303, but it works ok. I wrap two turns of a thin strip of masking tape just above the rim to act as a centralizer for the first shot. I have made hundreds of cases that way, no failures. No trimming needed. No idea how difficult it is to find .303 dies. Lee used to have them.

 

[Tex1001]

It is simple to re-form .30-30 brass to .303 S.No idea how difficult it is to find .303 dies. Lee used to have them.

I got my 303 Lee dies at midway. They still have them. Lee's 7.62x51 collet crimp die from Midway gives a truly professional 303 crimp.
When Graf had Prvi brass I bought 300 empties, so I'm set for life.

 

[dsf]

FWIW, I use the Hornady "zip spindle" neck sizer dies for .308 for my 300 Savage rifle. The elliptical sizing button slips through nice & easy on the short necked case, no lube required. And the Savage action has enough camming action to easily chamber the round.