99 f 358

[Jim Gordon]

I have a chance to buy a nice F in358 #8188xx. cut checkering tang safety only 45 rounds fired Need to make an offer What is a fair price ?

[Jim Gordon]

Don't need the value anymore as we agreed on a price. The safety is not the tang but rather the lever version,so that puts it 55 to 59 according to Murray. Not sure if I have the sn right. Picture is a little blurry,could be 9188xx. My main question now, was the F available with swivel studs. Murray says no,but these sure look like the factory ones that were on my R.
Thanks in advance.

[Mad Dog]

The studs must have been added, they weren't a feature of the F or the EG, just the R's.

Must have been added.

Serial number sounds right, would put it at 1956. There are only about 35 rifles made with an 800,000 serial number so I call BS on a lot of them due to people reading the serial number wrong, the 900,000 is a lot more believable.

[Jim Gordon]

Thanks Mad Dog. Dang I just can't seem to find an unaltered 99 or 1899. I was very happy however, to find an early 358 in such nice condition. 9188xx is the confirmed sn.

[Mad Dog]

Yep, the 358's don't show up very often.

I've got a model R around the same serial range as yours in 358.

[Jim Gordon]

Any one have any pet loads for a 358. Gun and dies arrived today and have a friend sending me some 200 GR. Hornady bullets. I have IMR 3031.IMR 4198, and H 335 on hand.

[Sawfish]

Just about any powder with a burning rate similar to IMR-4895 will do well in the .358. Some of my favorites are A-2460, A-2520, RL-15, etc.. It important to stay below maximum loads in the 99 action. The rear locking action is not as strong as some of the bull tough compact bolt actions. Not worth risking damage to your gun for a few more feet per second. I imagine that parts are scarce, and not cheap. That being said, the 99 is a handy smack down rifle, and carries easily in tough terrain. Your 200 gr. Hornadys will give a good account of themselves at .358 Win. velocities. It is one of my favorite bullets in the .358 JDJ, which has similar ballistics.

[Jim Gordon]

Ok thanks,I found some loads in the Hodgdon online data for 3031 and 200 Gr. Hornady,so I think I'll start there.

[Sawfish]

Keep us posted on your progress.