savage 99 vs Browning BLR and now vs win. 88

Here's a close up of the receiver, Weaver El Paso K4 scope and flip mount from the right...

i54GAKG.jpg


More pics here:

http://www.canadiangunnutz.com/foru...8-Easter-Treat!-(not-chocolate-bunny)-Pics-Up
 
Last edited:
fugawi said:
two-dogs... still have the Finnwolf? Been looking but nada. Where did you find one?

Would love to see some pics!
Click to expand...

found mine in the NWT, I had a want-to-buy add in the EE and the dude contacted me. Paid a whopping $1750. or was it $1800 for it. They are out there, but extremely rare. Saw one at Cabelas in the USA, the price was higher. I'll look for any pics that I may have. Sadly, I had to downsize a while back and had to let her go. It went to a fella in B.C.
 
They are out there to be found -

2093529_01_sako_finnwolf_308_nib_640_zps05ce23ff.jpg
2093529_02_sako_finnwolf_308_nib_640_zps5d92598d.jpg
408010_01_sako_finnwolf_commemorative_se_640_zps2a0f231b.jpg
408010_02_sako_finnwolf_commemorative_se_640_zps4c0b4b34.jpg


They look complicated and very busy inside -

Sako%20Finnwolf%20VL%2063.jpg


Here is a Winchester 88 inside -

Winc88.jpg


And a Savage 99 -

Savage_99.jpg

savage%201899%20%20Diagram.jpg


And a Browning BLR -

BLR_Pre81_Schm_1.jpg
 
Last edited:
as a youngster I always love the looks of the 99 and knew I would someday get one. Later in life I had a few, at least a half doz or more. They were ok, but none made me fall in love forever. Still later in life, my hands developed Aurther Rightis and due to the tight spot when cocking the 99's, I could no longer cycle them without pain, so down the road they went. I have no problems with the other levers.
 
I have had a couple Savages, and still a few 88's. Just tossed the target in Monday's garbage collection, but my 88 (.308) did a 3 shot group under 1" @ 100 yds. I have two, and both shoot that well. Trigger could be better, but for a hunting gun, it suffices. I think the 88 is nicer design than the BLR, and the 99. Cannot speak about Sako, but I see no use in having a "safe queen" lever unless it is a high quality, vintage Marlin or Winchester.
 
Savage 99s were a decent lever action, and some BLRs are pretty nice rifles whereas some are pretty average. The 88 and it's 4 moa groups and irreparable, awful trigger...forget it!
 
pisces-guy said:
Savage 99s were a decent lever action, and some BLRs are pretty nice rifles whereas some are pretty average. The 88 and it's 4 moa groups and irreparable, awful trigger...forget it!
Click to expand...

You must have been unlucky and had a bad or neglected 88 as my one has a very decent and usable trigger and shoots as nice as my 99, easy under 2" groups with handloaded ammo. Like most out of the box hunting rifles you do need to check the bedding on them and make sure the front stock screw is not too loose.
 
pisces-guy said:
Savage 99s were a decent lever action, and some BLRs are pretty nice rifles whereas some are pretty average. The 88 and it's 4 moa groups and irreparable, awful trigger...forget it!
Click to expand...

mkrnel said:
You must have been unlucky and had a bad or neglected 88 as my one has a very decent and usable trigger and shoots as nice as my 99, easy under 2" groups with handloaded ammo. Like most out of the box hunting rifles you do need to check the bedding on them and make sure the front stock screw is not too loose.
Click to expand...

I would say my 88 is minute of deer with factory loads. It would probably do better if I replaced the steel butt plate with a limbsaver or decelerator and did some trigger work. Trigger feels like its being pulled thru gravel. Not the worst but not the best.

Definitely not as good as my 99 but good enough for what it is... a 50's hunting rifle.
 
I love the look of the 99's and the 88's, wishing I had one (need one like I need a hole in the head, but they are pretty), the 88's are a really neat and sleek looking rifle, with the rounded reciever and simple design, they are a neat mix of old and modern styling.

My dad has a 99 .308 with drop mag that he got for my mom years ago but she disliked it for the recoil, I'm starting to want to grab it from him and build a walnut front stock as per this image i ripped off from the net:


Would love to find one is .358 win or 38-55, but it sounds like they are as easy to find as hen's teeth.
 
What's a '55 winchester 88 worth these days? (Not that I would ever sell it, being my very first gun and all, just curious)

.308 btw, decent finish and blueing.
 
Had a BLR, bought it new, steel reciever, Japanese build, shiny stock. Kept it in excellent shape for 8 or 10 years, then sold it ... no regrets. Have a half dozen 99s. All are internal rotary mags except for one .308 which I had rebored and rechambered to .358W. They'll all be with me until the end. May pick up a few more if the right ones come along at the right prices. Won't be buying any more BLRs though. There is no comparison.
 
icedog said:
Had a BLR, bought it new, steel reciever, Japanese build, shiny stock. Kept it in excellent shape for 8 or 10 years, then sold it ... no regrets. Have a half dozen 99s. All are internal rotary mags except for one .308 which I had rebored and rechambered to .358W. They'll all be with me until the end. May pick up a few more if the right ones come along at the right prices. Won't be buying any more BLRs though. There is no comparison.
Click to expand...

Bought a .358 BLR this year after using a 99 for years. I'm pretty sure I'm going to miss the way the Savage carries and handles. The 99s are special.
 
cody c said:
Would love to find one is .358 win or 38-55, but it sounds like they are as easy to find as hen's teeth.
Click to expand...

I've only ever seen one .358 Savage 99 come up for sale and I missed it by about a week. Mind you I wasn't really looking hard.

Just be prepared to move on it and don't wait - or it will be gone.
 
I have had both the Savage and the Browning. I still have a Browning and I wish I could have my Savage 99 in .243 back. The Savage is a beautifully made rifle that is perhaps overbuilt. It is a classic though with beautiful lines that people either love or hate. Some folks like the design of the Savage that lacked the external hammer. I must say that the Savage's safety sucked (in my opinion). All that too say that it is too bad the Savage was discontinued, but if I understand correctly, it was too expensive to make.

The Browning is a nice gun. I have had the old steel receiver guns and the newer ones. They all shot well and they are fantastic carry guns in the bush. They are what I consider to be true hunting rifles on a number of levels. I like the 20" barrels on the short action caliber BLR's and if I had to choose just one between all of them, it would more than likely be a BLR in .308.
 
fugawi said:
Lately they're being advertised in the $500 - $650 range on the EE. With scopes. Pre '64s worth more.
Click to expand...

Yeah... That's why I was asking about my 1955... I hear "pre '64s" are worth more all the time, but I was curious if anyone knew what a first year production 1955 was worth?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom