savage 1899 .303

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ryan

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I have an 1899 here that was made in 1908. Serial number 80257. I see no evidence of a re-finish. The bore is dark and pitted.:eek: I think I can see the faint outline of rifling. A real shame. Is it worth anything, or is it a wall hanger?
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Looks both reblued and refinished. as long as it's safe I would use it as a shooter. The cartridge is probably .303 Savage, ammo may be a bit difficult to locate.
 
Definite refinish and possibly a restock, as I really have a hard time beleiving Savage would allow a peachstone sized knot in their stocks to go out to the customer. Unless the gun was kept in a dark room pumped full of nitrogen with no light at constant humidity, the wood would be much darker.........I have a savage 99 made in 1911, the woods a VERY dark brown.

The woods also proud of the metal, yet another sign, after 100 years you think the wood would get darker and shrink away from the metal.

That octagon barrel isn't the most common thing in the world though, if the bore doesn't clean out consider a reline or a rebore to preserve it. A gun like that is worth shooting........shooting alot. Because those rifles have a heft, balance and handling that a modern marlin or BLR cannot approach.
 
That has most assuredly been refinished and reblued. The stock looks like a custom job to me, I don't think it's original. .303 savage is a hard sell as ammo is hard to find. I wouldn't hang it on my wall because it has been obviously redone. If it's safe to shoot then shoot it. Ellwood Epps can get ammo for you.
 
Blued lever and not cased hardened, definitely refinished. Nice job, good hunting rifle, but not a mint original. Enjoy it and use it for what it was intendeded. If only these old girls could talk!

This is what an original rifle from that time period looks like:

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Make yourself an EBC. You'd be amazed at the crap that will come out of it and the rifling might look almost like new when you're done. Can't hurt to try it if the bore looks as bad as you say. I did a Lee Enfield that I thought was clean, boy was I wrong. It's clean now!!!

Walt
 
Yes but then your into a whole other rats nest. Then you gotta switch out the rotor to make the 38-55 work in it. Also I'm pretty sure the bolt wouldn't work with the 38-55 cartridge as well.

Someone did a nice job, usually when a 99 is refinished some moron takes to much off and then all the metal is proud on the gun, especially around the top and lower tang.
 
Yes my bad, the rotor won't work, I think the bolt is close enough. At least my 303 acepts a 38-55 rim. Really doesn't leave much options. Maybe bored out .311 & use Brit bullets. Original 303 Sav dies should work fine for reloading :)
 
Not sure but I think the 30-30 will work in the rotory mag? Maybe rebored to .35/30-30 but then it's a reloading proposition ....otherwise it's re-barrel......Harold
 
MadDog said:
You should learn how to use the p.m. system.

Posting your email address in open forum usually gets you nothing but an inbox full of ### internet sites and "your a Nigerian millionaire" emails.
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Dont tell him, some of us have to earn a crust somehow!!!:D
 
Don't be reboring it with the thoughts of 35 30-30 or 38-55 dancing in your heads. If it is a 303 savage the case head is thirteen thou bigger dia at the head. You will still need to use 303 brass and neck it up to fit right or try modifying 220 swift, 303 BRIT or 30-40 krag which can be fun if you are either hardcore or a saddist.

Not being a downer on the party but I had my c rebore to 38-55 and discovered the grief shortly after. Scrub that bore and get some 150gr round nose bullets for the best chance to stabilize them if the bore is rough and just go with that. Sure wish I had!
 
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