To drill and tap, or not?

[Desertwolf]

Ok here it is in a nutshell:

Yes its a 1946 model 99 EG in 300 savage.

BUT!

It is still all numbers matching, and is seriously a 9+ out of 10. If this rifle has more than 3 boxes of rounds through it I will eat a shoe.

Blueing is a 8.5+ (typical thinning at the muzzle from a soft case)
The case hardening is 9+ (couple scratches from working the lever)
And the wood is also a 9+

The gun is stupid accurate! With handloads I shot a one ragged hole about 1-1.25 inches at 50m, with a scope im sure she'd be a sub MOA rifle.

So please assure me that its just a 99 EG in 300 savage like millions of others and go ahead and drill and tap.

[bootsmcguire]

Me personally I would not. I have a respect for any firearm that makes it through more than 40 years or more (68 in yours' case) and just can't bring myself to molest them. Have you thought about adding a factory peep sight or something? I thought there were sights for the 99s that fit the existing screw holes. I can't recall for sure.

[Digduggy]

I wouldn't... I have a 54 russian sks i regard the same... There is a mod for scope mount requires drilling and tapping... Cant bring myself to do it... Just aint right lol

[Digduggy]

Ps it is 9+/10 all around and every number matches as well...

[rlott]

Lightfoot (Mike) makes a no-drill mount that works great. Not sure if he is on this forum but you can PM him on 24hourcampfire.

[Desertwolf]

Maybe I will look for one of those. The other no drills were a tad pricey for what you got. IMO.

[emtrescue6]

There are a coupe of places/people that make no drill mounts (the one rlott posted is one of the better ones)...I wouldn't drill it if it's really in that good of shape.

[Desertwolf]

I'll get some pics up when I get back home next week. You wont believe what I paid for it either

[emtrescue6]

I just picked up a 99EG in 250 Sav (1950 manufacture) in pretty good shape yesterday...paid $550 which is on the high side I think...but maybe not. They are getting harder and harder to find...

[Monkeymaster]

Well, I would leave it alone.
IMO
Or,
If you want a scope on a 99, this gives you a reason to buy another one, that is drilled and tapped.
In the end it is your rifle.
Good luck sleeping !

[Desertwolf]

Lol thanks guys

[emtrescue6]

I like the way Monkeymaster thinks!