Savage 99 rebarrel
- Thread starter pounder
- Start date
Rebarrelling a 99 is very complicated, compared with most bolt action rifles. The cut for the positioning finger on the top of the bolt, and the extractor cut must be made. While the extractor can be removed while breeching is being finalized, the finger cut on the top must be made before the bolt can be closed. That is, the barrel indexing must be finished before headspace is set. And the barrel must be removed to use a reamer - unless a custom pull reamer is available. One chance to get it right. In addition, the barrel contour must work with the forend, and provision must be made for attaching the forend. A while back I did the final installation of a .22-.250 barrel on a .250 action. The square threads had already been cut. It was a very time consuming job, but worked out well and the owner was happy. Not one I'd want to undertake again.
It would be much, much easier, and likely cheaper, to sell yours and buy a .250 or .243.
It would be much, much easier, and likely cheaper, to sell yours and buy a .250 or .243.
I knew the 250sav demanded a premium, but I didn't realize they're worth twice what a 300sav is worth! I really wanted one in 250, but maybe I'll just grab one in 300 with that kind of price difference...
Its probably more helpful if we give a price estimate so people understand, instead of "no... its too much" or "it lots of work".
Whats expensive for me is cheap for someone else, and when there is sentimental value, it changes the cost as well.
Check out JES rebore, there in the US but apparently things are going to be getting easier to get stuff across the border, you could go the other way for a 358 win.
I had one done several years ago. After I was refused by a very knowledgeable smith, I found one that was also well respected that would take on the job. It was every bit of $1000 and he said he would never do another one. He had problems with head space etc. on the first couple of goes. This was with no sights and a RS gain twist barrel 1:10, 250 Savage. Shot lights out but still needed a little polishing to get proper feeding. Speaking of Ron Smith, he told me that the metal in some of the older 99s was not suitable for a rebore and the cylinder is so finely tuned that an exact cartridge would be the best bet if attempted.
Even so, it sounds like selling your 300 and buying a 250 might very well be the cheapest option - and that's not even factoring in the potential difficulty of finding a smith who is willing to tackle your project. Hell, judging by what others are saying you could just straight up buy a 250 for around the same money as a rebarrel, which would leave you with two guns instead of one.
