savage 99 vs Browning BLR and now vs win. 88
- Thread starter jogforfun
- Start date
nowarningshot
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
Not sure which one the "c" is, but if it is one with the non detachable magazine....then that is the difference. The 99 was a overbuilt gun, passable accurate and inexpensive. Even today the BLR will be a 2-3 hundred more ...comparable shape and used.
Believe the main problem with the 99 was the tendency of the rear stock to crack in the pistol grip. Excellent truck guns.
Which is the better? Both really. If you can hit a bull at 400 then its a great gun, and given family history untouchable. The Browning is probably a bit shorter and maybe heavier, with that gloss clear coat walnut they are a pretty gun. The 99 is probably lighter, slimmer and a longer barrel. Since they have been out of production at least 15 years, average 99 is going to have some scuffs and scratches and life. Comes down to which style looks better, shoots better. Hey they are both the same action and caliber there will be a lot more similarity than difference.
Believe the main problem with the 99 was the tendency of the rear stock to crack in the pistol grip. Excellent truck guns.
Which is the better? Both really. If you can hit a bull at 400 then its a great gun, and given family history untouchable. The Browning is probably a bit shorter and maybe heavier, with that gloss clear coat walnut they are a pretty gun. The 99 is probably lighter, slimmer and a longer barrel. Since they have been out of production at least 15 years, average 99 is going to have some scuffs and scratches and life. Comes down to which style looks better, shoots better. Hey they are both the same action and caliber there will be a lot more similarity than difference.
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My c has the drop out mag. I believe the 99f has the internal mag (I may very be wrong on that) I have seen cracks in the butt stock on both, they both have a take down version. what I want to know is witch is the better gun? I can tickle targets at 400yrds just fine with the 99c
I have two nice 99 EG's in .300sav and .250sav as well as a stainless laminate BLR in .308.
I find them hard to compare since they are so different. The BLR is a good solid rifle but has finish issues. The anodizing is peeling off the receiver and is rather unsightly. Pretty crappy for a 10 yr old rifle. Both 99's are in great shape and only have blueing wear from carrying which is a nice look. Accuracy wise I get about the same groups from my 99 as I do with the BLR mind you the 99 has a Nikon 4x scope and the BLR a Leupold 8x. Guess I could sum it up by saying when I head into the crap, brush, rain etc I carry the BLR. If I’m taking a leisurely stroll on a nice day out comes the 99...after all, they don't make those anymore.
I find them hard to compare since they are so different. The BLR is a good solid rifle but has finish issues. The anodizing is peeling off the receiver and is rather unsightly. Pretty crappy for a 10 yr old rifle. Both 99's are in great shape and only have blueing wear from carrying which is a nice look. Accuracy wise I get about the same groups from my 99 as I do with the BLR mind you the 99 has a Nikon 4x scope and the BLR a Leupold 8x. Guess I could sum it up by saying when I head into the crap, brush, rain etc I carry the BLR. If I’m taking a leisurely stroll on a nice day out comes the 99...after all, they don't make those anymore.
The BLR has an excellent mag system, smooth lever "action", not prone to crack the stock at the tang, comes in a wide range of chamberings from 223 to 358Win. The only down side I can see with a BLR is the low comb and heavy trigger.
If I just had to hunt with a lever gun in a modern cartridge, it would be a 81 BLR.
If I just had to hunt with a lever gun in a modern cartridge, it would be a 81 BLR.
The 99F is the featherweight version and there were a lot of different models 99A 2 different,99B, 2 different 99C's, 99H, 99EG, 99R, 99T, 99RS, 99K(SUPER DELUXE MODEL), 99CD and I have missed some no doubt.
In my experience the 99 is higher quality than the BLR produced now. The Belgian BLR was good quality and some of the older Japanese models. The 99 has tang cracks as a design flaw but in general is easier to shoot accurately(for me anyway) than the BLR. I find the BLR too short, muzzle light with an awful trigger. But some guys absolutely love the Browning just depends on your preference. I don't think you are moving up at all to give up your 99c in favour of the BLR. MY 2 cents.
Bassmaster
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- WMU 48 - Whitetail country
I've owned both, in .308....sold the BLR, but admittedly it wasn't a belgian
Amen. I gave my Dad's rifle to my brother as he has kids and I don't.
I like my current production aluminum receiver takedown stainless laminate BLR in .308 Win.
I used the factory scout mount for a forwarded mounted Leupold scope and
switched to aftermarket irons for backup sights that can be used with the scope removed (QD rings).
I put a stock pack on it and a comb raising kit to compensate for the low comb.
The factory trigger was double the published specification,
gunsmith got it down to the published spec which is acceptable.
(A common issue with the old and new models).
I'm very impressed with the fit and finish. Japanese 2013 production.
The magazines are available for the current units without paying "collectable" pricing.
I've made past postings on how I provisioned it and the gunsmith I used for the trigger.
I used the factory scout mount for a forwarded mounted Leupold scope and
switched to aftermarket irons for backup sights that can be used with the scope removed (QD rings).
I put a stock pack on it and a comb raising kit to compensate for the low comb.
The factory trigger was double the published specification,
gunsmith got it down to the published spec which is acceptable.
(A common issue with the old and new models).
I'm very impressed with the fit and finish. Japanese 2013 production.
The magazines are available for the current units without paying "collectable" pricing.
I've made past postings on how I provisioned it and the gunsmith I used for the trigger.
- Location
- The Conservative part of Ontario
I've owned both, and I like both, however, given the choice, I'll take the 88 Winchester over either one.
I have a BLR in 358, had one in 308 in the past. Have 99's in 250, 300 and 38-55. I prefer the 99. - dan
IMO, the BLR is overpriced for what it is - like most things Browning brands. The original 99 (maybe not the cheapened C model) would be a much more expensive rifle to produce today than a BLR. The 99 is definitely a more robust firearm despite the tendency to get cracked buttstocks behind the tang. That said, you usually see the cracks on late 99's because after WW2 the workmanship went down hill over time and the stocks were not properly relieved at the tang.
If you can find a rotary-mag 99, pre-1950, in a calibre you like and in nice shape, it's a hard rifle to hate. They can look a little odd at first, but the BLR is also not a great lever gun in the looks department. Come to think of it, none of the modern ammo spire-point lever guns look great compared to a nice Marlin or Winchester, so let's call it a tie?
I'd be comfortable with either a 99 or BLR in the bush, but I would never pay a $300+ premium for a BLR over a 99. Not worth the extra dough by any stretch.
If I had to choose (and I did), I would pick an early 99EG in a calibre I like with a Stith mounted low-power scope (like a 1-5x20 or a fixed 2.5 or 2.75X). In a 99, the Stith mount is perfect - lowest scope mount you will ever see, virtually eliminating any parallax error. Not so with the BLR.
I'm also particular about aluminum-receivered lever guns. Not a fan of them at all. If I ever got a BLR that I'd like enough to keep over a 99, it would need to be a steel one.
If you can find a rotary-mag 99, pre-1950, in a calibre you like and in nice shape, it's a hard rifle to hate. They can look a little odd at first, but the BLR is also not a great lever gun in the looks department. Come to think of it, none of the modern ammo spire-point lever guns look great compared to a nice Marlin or Winchester, so let's call it a tie?
I'd be comfortable with either a 99 or BLR in the bush, but I would never pay a $300+ premium for a BLR over a 99. Not worth the extra dough by any stretch.
If I had to choose (and I did), I would pick an early 99EG in a calibre I like with a Stith mounted low-power scope (like a 1-5x20 or a fixed 2.5 or 2.75X). In a 99, the Stith mount is perfect - lowest scope mount you will ever see, virtually eliminating any parallax error. Not so with the BLR.
I'm also particular about aluminum-receivered lever guns. Not a fan of them at all. If I ever got a BLR that I'd like enough to keep over a 99, it would need to be a steel one.
I would go BLR all the way over the 99's. Love the BLR short action rifles and the 99's have a tight spot in cocking the action that hurts the hell out of my arthritic hand. And besides, the BLR's are sooooooo much Purdy!
