Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Savage Collectors Savage 99 .250-3000 takedown

Good afternoon, thanks for having me.

Been a long time hunter and collector here in the PNW. Ironically however, I’ve never owned a Savage 99 of any configuration. Always admired them and have a few friends who own or owned them.

Recently I found one which seemed very reasonable given its condition vs price, so I ponied up and now have my first 99. I’m looking for any feedback but most importantly the model information. I believe it’s a 99F based on the best information I’ve been able to gather. The rifle dates to 1922. The front ring is stamped “Savage 1899 Model”. Some say this is a transition gun, prior to the 99 stamping. Straight stock, shotgun style butt plate. Fore end has a tiny schnabel.

Obviously it’s a takedown in .250-3000. The barrel is 22” in a light taper. The takedown is tight and the barrel indexes as it should with no wobble or play. The bore is mirror bright with good clean lands. The rifle exhibits no abuse, no extra holes (not drilled and tapped for optics) are present, including sling swivel mounting holes. It seems to have a period correct Marbles Flex tang sight with a pretty large aperture. I have plugged the rear dovetail which was open. Obviously there’s some bluing worn here and there but there is no rust or any severe pitting.

I have a couple of bolt rifles in.250 and thought this would be a nice rifle to have in camp. Please school me regarding what I have. Appreciate it very much.

Will hopefully add photos as soon as I can figure out how to reduce their size…..

Welcome to the Savage 99 Club. You have officially crossed the rubicon.

You started off with a classic. 99F in 250-3000. Most people never get the opportunity to own this model in the 250. So you did fantastic.

One year from now, you will have two more separate Savage 99s, at least. It’s a great journey if you enjoy learning and collecting.

God bless,
RAS

I appreciate your reply RAS,

I’ve had a 99 on my bucket list for a very long time, I almost bought a much later model in .243 with a tang safety but I missed out because I simply didn’t move quickly enough. Obviously, the later .243 may not be as highly sought after but it was mint and reasonably priced. I won’t make that mistake again. Locally there are several.300’s available but I really wanted a.250 because I really like the caliber and have components and accumulated tons of factory ammunition, because of my bolt riflrs.

Thanks for verifying, shoot straight.

Aha! tell us about your bolt rifles. Savage made some long ago or do you have some brand X models??

Welcome to the campfire! I presume you know that pre-1960 Savage 99's in 250-3000 have a 1-14" twist? And longer bullets usually don't do that well. The 87gr Speer Hot Cores are awesome, otherwise look for or make short 100gr bullets.

Hi Lightfoot,
I have a Ruger No.1 and a Ruger 77 international. I definitely would consider a Savage 1920 if a good one becomes available.

Hi Calhoun,
Thanks, yes I’ve read the 87 grainers work best with the 1-14” twist. Fortunately, I’ve a good supply of components, as well as, several boxes of very clean vintage and more modern ammunition, 87 and 100grn. When I bought my first.250, I bought ammunition wherever I could find it. My international shoots both well, while the No.1 prefers the 100 grainers.

Appreciate both of your comments.

Finally, another member from Oregon. A brother that hunts the Lords Deer, the mighty blacktail, I hope.

You started right, that's a real desirable model and cartridge combo.

Thanks Fireball,

Yes we do hunt Blacktail here on the west side. We also hunt mule deer, elk, antelope etc, on the east side, as well as, out of state. This of course depends on what or if we draw various tags.

I’m very pleased with the new Savage. It shoulders great ,is light weight and is very mechanically solid and clean. If it wasn’t pouring today I probably would get it out and run a few rounds through it.

Thanks again.

Segregate the ammo on the 99 in 250 cases stretch in the 99 in 250 I use seperate dies in my bolt gun in 250 Savage and size the brass to the shortest chamber in my 4 99s in 250 Savages.

Moderate loads in the 99,s, for best case life in the hard to find brass.

Most 99,s have large chambers and case stretch of the taper in 250 case, plus 99 design is not friendly to reloading, most used store bought ammo in that era.

Having a tight chambered 1903 bolt action in 250 Savage and reloading for it showed me the difference in case stretch.

Great advice kk alaska, definitely will do that.