savage 99 recommendation for a restoration work
- Thread starter medvedqc
- Start date
I just finished redoing one for a friend (a 99c). I reblued it using express bluing from PJ's. For the wood, I stripped the old varnish, put a layer of black walnut stain on and finished it with Tung oil. Oil finishes on wood is a great option if you actually plan on using it. Really shiny wood tends to show the scratches really well.
Works out really well. The only reason it was stained was because he wanted it darker. The original color was still there after the varnish was removed. Stain the stock as per the directions. In my case, wipe stain on, wait a few minutes, wipe off and wait 48 hours. After that, apply a layer of Tung oil, wait ten minutes, wipe of excess. 24 hours later, go over the whole stock with 0000 steel wool and wipe off the dust with a cloth. Reapply the oil and so on.... until your done. About 4 coats of oil should do. You'll end up with a really nice satin finish. The oil will dry and there will be zero residue.
double boiled linseed oil works nice on these old rifles as well. I just finished a 99 with a 30" octagon barrel in 303 Savage. The butt stock was in a dozen pieces with nails, wire and tape holding it on. i got a replacement which i actually aged to keep with the condition of the forend. It turned out really well, more of a preservation project. The metal had plenty of original blued and patina on it as well as the usual orange culprit from not being stored correctly. luckily the rust wasn't deep and i was able to remove it. after decades of dust and crud and much scrubbing the rifle looks just good. a reblue on this rifle with the family history it had and that it is about ready to get passed to the next generation would not have suited the rifle at all. good luck with your projects
I like linseed oil as well. The satin finish is easily repaired, and is pretty much straightforward to apply. I bought a 99 30-30 TD that had been shortened and was in poor shape appearance-wise. My gunner buddy redid the wood and reblued it. She's a pretty little thing now. 
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