A pleasant surprise with my Savage 1899.

I took my 1899 Savage out to the range yesterday, and found that it shoots very well, especially with my .30-30 handloads of 165 grain Nosler ballistic tips.

But the real surprise when I got home and cleaned it. I took the forearm off and found that it's actually a takedown gun with a forearm from a solid frame. I put some oil as best I can to try and loosen up the barrel because it doesn't want to come off (yes, action is open).

Of course, getting a forearm for the solid frame was one thing, trying to find a forearm for a takedown is going to be trickier.

https://i.imgur.com/2OwjEve.jpg?1

https://i.imgur.com/l4BkFOI.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/PtlMHGv.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/btdTOfI.jpg?1

Very nice shooting!! If the barrel has been in for a while they can be stubborn to remove!! Try soaking it in Kroil. Clamp the receiver, not the stock, in a padded vice. Mine have a notch in the bottom of the barrel, I don't see that on yours, then I put a non marring punch in the notch and tap it with a hammer to loosen things up. But, if there's no need to take it off just leave it, the threads tend to wear out if through use.

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Originally Posted by Big Al1

Very nice shooting!! If the barrel has been in for a while they can be stubborn to remove!! Try soaking it in Kroil. Clamp the receiver, not the stock, in a padded vice. Mine have a notch in the bottom of the barrel, I don't see that on yours, then I put a non marring punch in the notch and tap it with a hammer to loosen things up. But, if there's no need to take it off just leave it, the threads tend to wear out if through use.

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From what another collector has told me, this gun isn't actually a takedown version. Apparently Savage used up takedown barrels they had on hand. This gun only has the latch on the barrel that doesn't extend into the frame so it's still a solid frame gun, but made with a takedown barrel. A little disappointed because takedowns are worth more money, but not as much considering how well it shoots.

Well that explains things! Didn't know that. I guess they could use later take off barrels because they had a full thread. Earlier ones have an interrupted square thread. I have a .30-30 take down from about 1930. I've never taken the barrel off 'cause it has a scope mounted with a Stith mount. Also shoots great!