Savage 99 30-30 with a 1/2 octagon barrel

[Labman55]

First post is a question.
I have my Grandfathers 99, it saw very little ammo over the years "because bullets cost too much". LOL
It is a beautiful rifle with the 1/2 octagon barrel and a schnable fore end, but it seems to have a Headspace problem. I have only fired a few rounds through it and they all have shown set back primers. The lever seems to lock, but when you close the action and look at where the front of the bolt locks into the receiver, it appears as if there is a bit of a gap.
As it has the 1/2 octagon barrel, it would seem to me that a simple fix by trimming the face and setting back the threads would not be practical.
I was wondering, could the back of the bolt mecanism be worn down? If so would a small amount of tig welding and hand fitting alleviate the head space issue?

The rifle appears to only have a 5 digit serial #937xx, In some reading that I have done most mention 6 and 7 digit #s.

It is also fitted with an odd small tube (3/4") Weaver 1.5 power scope, which mounts to the tang with a base that is the same dimensions as the tang, the front mount dovetails into the rear sight slot, and the scope tube is a two piece affair that slides in and out to adjust for the overall length for mounting. I believe this used to be refered to as a "Stith" scope?

Any ideas about the age and how to cure the head space problem would be appreciated.
Thank-you in advance.
*Just looking at the rifle again after reading a few posts. It does say Model 1899 on it, but there is NO caliber on it anywhere. I saw my G.D. and my Dad both shoot 30-30 through it, so it is definatley a 308 bore, but with the way it is popping primers, perhaps this is a 300 Savage?

[JCalhoun]

Get some Cerrosafe from Brownells and make a chamber casting. Then compare the casting to some case deminsion drawings and you will able to determine the chambering.

Otherwise you can try finding a gunsmith to do it for you.

Having consulted the Blue Book, the only thing it list as having an octagon barrel and Schnabel forend was a Model 1895 Anniversary. Made in 1970 only for Savage's 75th anniversary. It's chambered in .308W.

That's not to say an 1899 wasn't offered with the octagon barrel and Schnabel forend. Model 1899's were made from 1899 to 1922 and were chambered in .22 Savage Hi-Power, .25-35WCF, .250 Savage, .300 Savage, .303 Savage, .30-30 Win, .308 Win, .32-40WCF, and .38-55WCF.

NOTE: .303 Savage should not be confused with .303 British!

[Eric in NC]

More likely a 303 Savage not 300 Savage. As was said, do a chamber cast to be sure, but I would bet 303 Sav.

[Mad Dog]

Half octagon would make it an 1899C.

[Labman55]

Well, from information from Mad Dog, I removed the scope and as he said there it was, just in front of the receiver. 30-30, no 30-30win. just the 4 #s.