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I picked up my first Savage. I’m a sucker for old stuff and I’m just starting to acquire some leaver guns. I guess like all noobs, I was only focusing on Winchester, but someone put this 99 in front of me and I fell in love (even though it has no magazine…).
I took it apart today and gave it a good cleaning (and inventoried my missing pieces…). It runs beautifully. I’ll try to figure out how to get some pictures added…
What model is it?
1899 octagon barrel in 303
That'd be what we call an 1899B (1899A had round barrel, 1899C had half-octagon). Came standard with 26" barrel and crescent buttplate, and a mirror blue finish on the receiver. I love those early 1899's!
They're like potato chips, can't stop at just one!! The secrets out!! That's why I have only six!! Posting pictures on this site is a pain!!
Sounds like a nice rifle and a great find!!
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Only problem is no magazine…:o
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Wondering if the sight is original…
You do realize that has a rotary magazine and you load five rounds in from the top!!?? There sound be a small window on the left side of the receiver with a round counter!
Great looking old rifle!! Ser# puts it 1900 manufacture!! Lyman tang sight looks original, sight base in the slot filler looks interesting, looks like you file your own notch in it!!??
Have you got ammo for it?? .303 is it's own case, not form from any other brass. It's about 20 thousandths wider than a .38-55 case.
Graf and Sons has brass in stock, better snap some up!! 303 Savage - Rifle Brass - Metallic Reloading - Graf & Sons (grafs.com)
And dies. LEE 303 SAVAGE 3 DIE SET w/FACTORY CRIMP, S/H #11 - Graf & Sons (grafs.com)
Thanks Big Al1, I did figure out it was missing it’s guts (only after looking at her 1925 sister, also in 303).
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And thanks for the heads up on the brass. I ordered 200 rounds, and I have the dies coming as well as the bullet molds. I was able to purchase one vintage box of 20 rounds when I bought the rifle, and found one other vintage box last weekend at a gun show (almost had to sell a kidney for what 40 round’s cost me…:o)
After some further research, the rear sight is a Lyman #6 dual leaf (with the V leaf broken off… :disturbed:)
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This is what it should look like…
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Now just searching for the 303 drum…
Ah HA! I didn't realize the rotor was missing!! They are cartridge specific so you have to find one for a .303. Sometimes you can find them on E bay, but not today! Lots of gun parts on e bay.
Found this old thread about rotors! Maybe it will help. Do an extensive search on ebay, they have a few listed.
SAVAGE MODEL 99 LEVER AND ROTARY MAGAZINE FOLLOWER | eBay
Scroll down the post, there's several more for sale.
After looking at the serial number of your rifle, I checked a Model 1899A round barrel that I have. Its number is 41 earlier than yours: 14025. Kind of cool to see another one that is that close to mine.