Savage 99e
- Thread starter gerard488
- Start date
Savage 99s are by far my favourite lever, and you won't be disappointed. As far as accuracy goes, they are similar to most hunting rifles. You might get the magic rifle that prints half-inch groups with a certain load, but you can expect anything from one to three or four minutes of angle for average accuracy with ammo it likes. With a scope, you should do a bit better. I have a 99 built in 1920 chambered in .250-3000, and it will do 1.5 inches with irons on good days (and if I have a REALLY good day!). No scope for that old lady! I've owned these rifles in most of the available calibres over the years, and I think the worst one shot about 3.5 inches on average. Not too bad for a hunting rifle.
The Savage 99 is not a varmint rifle or a bench rest competition rifle. So it will likely not shoot nice little groups. It is a Fine WOODS-hunting rifle and will probably give you fine WOODS-hunting rifle accuracy.
I have two in .300 savage and one in .308. I once called in two wolves and wounded one then killed the other. Got back on the first one and shot 4 more times at him while he ran. Anchored him with the sixth shot. I reckon if I had been using a very accurate bolt action with a big scope and a three shot mag. I would not have got that first wolf and may not have got off the second shot so fast as to get the second one.
I have two in .300 savage and one in .308. I once called in two wolves and wounded one then killed the other. Got back on the first one and shot 4 more times at him while he ran. Anchored him with the sixth shot. I reckon if I had been using a very accurate bolt action with a big scope and a three shot mag. I would not have got that first wolf and may not have got off the second shot so fast as to get the second one.
Johnn Peterson
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Chemainus B.C.
Bingo. It's a proven and effective firearm from a 'few' years past and still a credible performer. Not my 'cup of tea' as I'm not a fan of a lever gun without an exposed hammer, but that's just my 'preference'. Again though, it's proven itself as a reliable performer and the following I've posted in past. When we moved from Edmonton to Barkerville, just prior to it becoming a park, there was a couple living there and the lady was well known for her forte or accomplishments in hunting Grizzly. Her firearm of choice was a 99 Savage and suprisingly in, 22 Savage High-Power. As a youngster, I recall being in their home and seeing some of her trophys. Mr. Joe Wendle and wife Betty.
- Location
- Yellowknife, NWT
My .300 will shoot groups about 1.5 MOA all day. I have had a couple .250's that would both shoot easy MOA groups, and both of which shot "best-ever" groups of .5 inches or less at 100 yards.
All of these are scoped rifles with variables, 2-7X on the .250's and 3-9X on the .300.
I think with a tight forend and good loads, 1.5 MOA is a reasonable target and anything better is gravy.
John Barsness once observed that Savage 99's tend to be about as accurate as a good-quality bolt rifle, possibly because they have a lot of barrel shank threaded into the receiver, providing rigidity.
All of these are scoped rifles with variables, 2-7X on the .250's and 3-9X on the .300.
I think with a tight forend and good loads, 1.5 MOA is a reasonable target and anything better is gravy.
John Barsness once observed that Savage 99's tend to be about as accurate as a good-quality bolt rifle, possibly because they have a lot of barrel shank threaded into the receiver, providing rigidity.
I have a couple 99's in 308 and they are laser beams, have no problem getting moa with them, mind you they are scoped but even with my other 99's that are open sighted I still can get groups in the 1.5" range at 100 yards. I am a bit biased as these are my favorite rifles and don't think they are a woods gun at all but a very versatile rifle that can shoot as good as any bolt. Still a strong believer that the rifle is only as accurate as the shooter. Personally I would stay away from the "e" models as they tend to have weaker receivers, I have never had a problem with them but have heard of some that have blown apart, most likely due to a overcharged handload.
Happy Hunting!
Lever99
Happy Hunting!
Lever99
nomad 68
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
BY E models,do you mean the early ones or the later models? I have a 99e lightweight carbine circa 1971 and the reciever seems very stout to me.Interested in the strength because i'm about to start developing loads for it.
If I stumbled across one at a good price in .308 (and had the funds available) I'd be seriously tempted.
The ergonomics of this design works well for me and the style of non static hunting I do.
Personally I wish Savage started making the 99s again.
The ergonomics of this design works well for me and the style of non static hunting I do.
Personally I wish Savage started making the 99s again.
I have always wanted a 99. Maybe one day soon I'll stumble across one at a gunshow for a reasonable price, lol! I've shot a few and hunted with people who used one, great gun and usually decently accurate.
A friend did just show me a video of a moose hunting incident though. His friend shot the moose, it started to run and his 99 jammed. As he attempted to force the cartridge in the round detonated out of battery and blew out the left side of the receiver and a few small chunks of his face. Fortunately he wasn't seriously hurt and the first shot was a good one. That's the first time I've ever seen a catastrophic failure in a 99. Still doesn't stop me from wanting one though.
A friend did just show me a video of a moose hunting incident though. His friend shot the moose, it started to run and his 99 jammed. As he attempted to force the cartridge in the round detonated out of battery and blew out the left side of the receiver and a few small chunks of his face. Fortunately he wasn't seriously hurt and the first shot was a good one. That's the first time I've ever seen a catastrophic failure in a 99. Still doesn't stop me from wanting one though.
I'm shooting the Speer 100-grain softpoints with H-414 powder. Not sure about the load right now; I'll have to dig out my log book. My .250 is also a takedown, and we will never part.
Interesting, I'd like to learn more about their new lever rifle.
Comparatively speaking they had no problem cranking out millions during the lean times of two world wars and the depression era in between...all without modern CNC technology.
Ahh but that was back when skilled labour to operate the machinery and hand fit the guns was way cheaper. 25 cents an hour anyone? Those guns would be many thousands of dollars today. The same reason most of the more complex designs have disappeared in favour of easily machined parts.
Labour may have been cheaper - but so was everything else. Modern technology is also much more efficient, and would allow for automated processes to replace many steps that would have required manual labour in the past. The race to the bottom - Savage Axis, Ruger American, Remington 770/783 etc indicates that a large number of people are looking for cheap. It probably makes more economic sense for Savage to push their very low priced, easy to manufacture rifles.
Labour may have been cheaper - but so was everything else. Modern technology is also much more efficient, and would allow for automated processes to replace many steps that would have required manual labour in the past. The race to the bottom - Savage Axis, Ruger American, Remington 770/783 etc indicates that a large number of people are looking for cheap. It probably makes more economic sense for Savage to push their very low priced, easy to manufacture rifles.
Those prices make me want to cry. I've got an old S.I.R. catalogue, brand new Weatherby magnums for 125 bucks.
The "race to the bottom" sums things up nicely.
Also calculate what things actually cost in comparison to today's dollar.
Just taking the year 1940 for example...
Average Salary $1,299. Teacher's salary $1,441
http://kclibrary.lonestar.edu/decade40.html
$50.00 in 1940 had the same buying power as $820.00 in 2013.
Annual inflation over this period was 3.91%.
http://www.dollartimes.com/calculators/inflation.htm
Min wage was about .40 cents per hour.
http://www.dol.gov/whd/minwage/chart.htm
I suspect that back then there were a lot of hunters with just one or two firearms in their closet.
Which IMHO was probably another motivator for firearm companies back then to offer a rifle that would last for generations with no need for planned obsolescence marketing of a bunch of after market add ons etc.
Also calculate what things actually cost in comparison to today's dollar.
Just taking the year 1940 for example...
Average Salary $1,299. Teacher's salary $1,441
http://kclibrary.lonestar.edu/decade40.html
$50.00 in 1940 had the same buying power as $820.00 in 2013.
Annual inflation over this period was 3.91%.
http://www.dollartimes.com/calculators/inflation.htm
Min wage was about .40 cents per hour.
http://www.dol.gov/whd/minwage/chart.htm
I suspect that back then there were a lot of hunters with just one or two firearms in their closet.
Which IMHO was probably another motivator for firearm companies back then to offer a rifle that would last for generations with no need for planned obsolescence marketing of a bunch of after market add ons etc.
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I recently acquired a 99f on the forum here and just finished a redo on the hand carved replacement wood on this rifle. The tight chamber on this one does not really like Varget and shows flat primers not long off minimum book loads. No RL15 around to try. Federal blue box factory ammo shoots about an inch with a cheap Bushnell Banner 3-9 on it if you don't heat up the barrel. The last 99c I had was like that too. Really can't complain about that for moderate ranges. They aren't sniper rifles. Thanks for posting those old ads, I've never even heard of the K before and would love to see one. Just before I got the F I missed one in 7mm-08 on another forum. That would have been sweet too.
