ned some general info on 99s

I am interested in getting a pretty decent 99 in .300 savage. don't know much about them except I've always thought they were right up there in the cool gun category like the Winchester 1897 etc. I don't know what age gun I want but would like one with the round counter and factory drilled and tapped for a scope mount. these old eyes and bifocals don't do iron sights very well any more. I want a shooter grade gun that has not been abused. can you help with what years the above features were available? thanks in advance. lee

Lee, there were quite a few models that were chambered in .300 Savage. 99s that are factory drilled and tapped have the Savage 99 Stamp offset on the keft front receiver ring; if you see one drilled and tapped with the Savage 99 stamp on top center of the receiver ring, it's not factory. The models you are most likely to find that fit your criteria are 99F, 99R and 99EG, but you'll come across them in the 99DL, 99E, 99A.
I'll only provide details on the R, F and EG.

The 99R was made from 1932 to 1960, but did not come with factory drill/tap until 1950; it has a pistol-grip stock, is the heaviest of the 3, with a beavertail forearm and 24" barrel.

The 99F is a featherweight, 22" barrel made from 1955-1973. The pistol-grip stock is hollowed out to reduce weight; slim/straight forearm with rounded tip. The nicer ones are pre-60 and have the safety by the lever. In 1960 the lever/trigger lock safety moved from to the top of the tang.

The 99EG was made from 1935 to 1960, but was not drilled/tapped until about 1957. 24" barrel, pistol-grip stock, forearm is schnabel-tipped.

There is an option for mounting a modern scope on non-drilled/tapped Savage 99s. It is called the "Lightfoot" mount. It uses the rear-sight dovetail and the tang screw holes that were used for mounting tang peep sights.

Here are two photos of a couple I have, the first is a 99EG with the Lightfoot mount, the second is a 99F. The recoil pad and sling studs are not factory. I don't have a 99R, but here's a link to one on gunbroker so you can look at one: http://www.gunbroker.com/item/575809334
Hope this helps.

http://i798.photobucket.com/albums/y...0%20EG/03a.jpg

http://i798.photobucket.com/albums/y...%20640x182.jpg

Keith, thank you. very informative. now I have a starting point. that first one with the lightfoot mount is neat. never saw anything like that before, but I've been focused on S&Ws and 1911s for a long time. now the hunt begins. lee

Lee, here's a better picture of the Lightfoot mount.
http://i798.photobucket.com/albums/y...G/IMG_0412.jpg