Help me please

[jesse_l_b]

Hi guys I just inherited a 303 savage in the famous model 99. I only have 2 pictures right now but will ask my wife for some more later. I was hoping get some one might be able to help me identify and age it. It has a newer scope on it right now, will be coming off this weekend when I get home as it is equipped with a Lyman peep sight. I feel it would look way more correct with that rather than a newer scope like it is now. Here are my 2 pics. Let me know what others I need the wife to take. Thanks guys.

http://i974.photobucket.com/albums/ae230/jesse_l_boughner/Mobile%20Uploads/20161113_150429.jpg

http://i974.photobucket.com/albums/ae230/jesse_l_boughner/Mobile%20Uploads/20161113_150440.jpg

[Big Al1]

Go to this site and plug in your serial number, should give you the date!! http://www.savage99.com/savage99_dates.htm

The .303 was discontinued sometime in the thirties, so it's pretty old. Ammo, and brass is out there if you reload. It was Savages version of the .30-30, but with heavier bullets. So far, I found that 180 grain round nose shoot best. They don't feed spritzers very well, either. But round nose is best for the velocities and ranges the .303 is capable of. Losing the scope is a good idea, I love the tang sights, period correct!! To bad it's drilled and tapped!

Great looking old rifle, congrats!!

[jesse_l_b]

Ok so I called my wife and she got the serial number for me. It was on the bottom of the rifle in front of the lever/trigger assembly. It was a five digit number 40*** so I went to the link above and it says it was made in 1903. Is there anyway that is correct? Or am I crazy?

[Big Al1]

The .303 was first introduced in 1895 so yes. Mine was made in 1914 and I have a .25-35 that was made in 1906. The 1899 was way ahead of it's time, as far as it's design. You have a true classic!! Shoot it and enjoy it!!
A little crazy doesn't hurt, either!!

[The Old Coach]

Not crazy. Mine dates to 1900. Doesn't look near as nice as yours. Deeply sorry that I never got a chance to take it into the deer woods; all the time I've had it I've lived in shotgun-only states. Never has been another rifle that "points" better for snap shots than Arthur's 99. You almost don't need sights, but I have a Lyman "ghost ring" on mine anyway

One facet of the early 99s is the squared-off profile of the locking ledge on the bolt. Later ones are rounded. Maybe they had an issue with cracking at the corners of the mortise? I keep my loads moderate - 200 grain cast bullet at about 1800 fps. Use loading data for the .30-30 WCF. The .303 case is slightly larger, so any .30-30 load will produce safe pressure. Captech International has new .303 brass of very high quality. http://www.captechintl.com/products.php?cat=7&pg=3 Not cheap, but a coupla dozen cases will last your lifetime.

BTW if you can, slug your barrel. Groove tolerances in that time weren't held so tightly as now. Mine slugs .3090, and likes a cast bullet sized .312 since it's a bit worn in the throat.

[wbm]

Love the 99.

[jesse_l_b]

I know this one is a winchester but here are a couple pics of it.

http://i974.photobucket.com/albums/ae230/jesse_l_boughner/Mobile%20Uploads/20161113_150308.jpg (http://s974.photobucket.com/user/jesse_l_boughner/media/Mobile%20Uploads/20161113_150308.jpg.html)

http://i974.photobucket.com/albums/ae230/jesse_l_boughner/Mobile%20Uploads/20161113_150417.jpg (http://s974.photobucket.com/user/jesse_l_boughner/media/Mobile%20Uploads/20161113_150417.jpg.html)

http://i974.photobucket.com/albums/ae230/jesse_l_boughner/Mobile%20Uploads/20161113_150403.jpg (http://s974.photobucket.com/user/jesse_l_boughner/media/Mobile%20Uploads/20161113_150403.jpg.html)

http://i974.photobucket.com/albums/ae230/jesse_l_boughner/Mobile%20Uploads/20161113_150324.jpg (http://s974.photobucket.com/user/jesse_l_boughner/media/Mobile%20Uploads/20161113_150324.jpg.html)

[Big Al1]

1890 or 1906?? By the way, I hate you!! (kidding of course!)

I just revived one like that for a friend, he inherited it from his uncle. Sweet little .22's, one of my all time favs! Was glad to get it back up and functioning for him. Great pieces of history!

[jesse_l_b]

It's an 1890, serial number puts it at 1913. It was my grandfather's rifle. I plan on taking it for a walk in the woods this weekend.

[Big Al1]

It's an 1890, serial number puts it at 1913. It was my grandfather's rifle. I plan on taking it for a walk in the woods this weekend.

:thumb: