.308 lever gun
- Thread starter redhawk41
- Start date
WillBrayjr
Moderator
I had a Savage 99E. It was a tackdriver, not a problem hitting milkcaps at 150 yards. The Savage handled hot handloads with ease. I was lucky because the rifle didn't blow up on me. I warn against using any handloads or reloads. Use factory ammo only because of the age of the rifle.
Crosshair, i discoverd the model 88 while researching a cartridge that caught my eye: .358 winchester
if i am not mistaken the model 88 was chambered in .243, .284, .308, and .358.
saying the .284 and .358 are "no longer used" is a little harsh, i think once a year winchester whips up a batch
when i find a model 88 in .308 for the right price i will be buying it
same with the savage 99 .308
if i am not mistaken the model 88 was chambered in .243, .284, .308, and .358.
saying the .284 and .358 are "no longer used" is a little harsh, i think once a year winchester whips up a batch
when i find a model 88 in .308 for the right price i will be buying it
same with the savage 99 .308
Lawyer Daggit
New member
I used to own an early BLR in .308- found it excellent. It had the earlier magazine that protruded beneath the action and so was uncomfortable to carry and did not 'balance' well for carrying. Newer versions solve this.
Do not use hot loads in it- a stuck case is no laughing matter none of these guns has the camming power of a bolt gun.
Do not use hot loads in it- a stuck case is no laughing matter none of these guns has the camming power of a bolt gun.
While I no longer have either one of them, at one time I had a Savage 99 in .300 Savage -- and I liked it a lot. Shot great! Ok, so it isn't the .308 model, but that's just a minor point. Also, I had a Winchester 88 in .308. For quite a few years it was my primary deer rifle. Nice and accurate, I'm kicking myself for selling it.
Antikristuseke
New member
i dont know if anyone mentioned thsi rifle yet, not .308 but can be chambered in 30-06 allthough might be tough to find http://world.guns.ru/rifle/rfl25-e.htm
Mike Irwin
Staff
I believe the Sako Finnwolf was also chambered in .308.
Of the three mentioned, I've shot all three.
The BLR is probably the most accurate simply because of the way the bolt locks up; essentially it's a lever actuated bolt rifle.
Savage also chambered 99s in .243, .308, .284, and .358.
The .284 are probably the rarest of the 99s, while among 99 afficionados the .358s are HIGHLY sought after.
I've been looking for one for some years and have yet to find one.
Of the three mentioned, I've shot all three.
The BLR is probably the most accurate simply because of the way the bolt locks up; essentially it's a lever actuated bolt rifle.
Savage also chambered 99s in .243, .308, .284, and .358.
The .284 are probably the rarest of the 99s, while among 99 afficionados the .358s are HIGHLY sought after.
I've been looking for one for some years and have yet to find one.
I have a savage 99 in .284 with a vintage Redfield 3x-9x wideview and just finished shooting it an hour ago. I shot a 139 gr. Hornady bullet with it today using 55.9 gr of RL-19, getting 13 SD through my Oehler at 2785 fps.(M) Shot a 1.5 inch group with 9 rounds. Only problem is OAL which I have set at 2.840....clears the mag and chambers smooth. Love the gun. Great for hogs!! My buddie has a .308 in the Savage 99 and loves it as well. Not a problem to date with stuck cases in either.
hard to find
i think the biggest problem with the older Model 88 and savage 99 is that they are going to be hard to find and even harder yet would be the sako finnwolf. ive only seen one savage 99 and it was beat all to crap. i do know a guy that has one in .257 roberts but wouldnt sell it if he was going to lose the farm. id love a model 88 in .284 that would be really nice
i think the biggest problem with the older Model 88 and savage 99 is that they are going to be hard to find and even harder yet would be the sako finnwolf. ive only seen one savage 99 and it was beat all to crap. i do know a guy that has one in .257 roberts but wouldnt sell it if he was going to lose the farm. id love a model 88 in .284 that would be really nice
Mike Irwin
Staff
Jseime,
I don't know how the market is for Savage 99s in Canada, but if you want to have a good selection, you need to go to Pennsylvania. At the last show I was at, back in October, there were over 100 of them for sale in various calibers, grades, and ages.
I looked VERY longingly at a nice one with an octagon barrel and perch belly stock, low 100,000 serial number range IIRC, chambered in .30-30 Winchester, but just couldn't afford it.
I've long wanted to get a shooter in either .32-40 or .38-55, but with those two calibers there only seems to be two grades available -- beaten into the ground and used as a fence post for 50 years, or pristine with high-end sights and special options, and neither is very affordable.
The common calibers, though, .243, .308, .300 Savage, .250 Savage, those will often be found in good condition and reasonably priced, anywhere from $300 to $600, depending on caliber, model, and grade.
Over 3 million (IIRC) 99s were made from 1899 until just a few years ago. They're out there, and they're still wonderful rifles.
My 99 was made in 1936 and is chambered in .300 Savage.
Someone sent me a link for a Savage 99F in .358 that's on one of the auction sites. Current price is nearly $1,400. I wasn't joking when I said they're sought after.
Here's a little trivia for for you all.
The Savage 99 holds the distinction for being made in more factory standard calibers than any other lever action rifle.
I don't know how the market is for Savage 99s in Canada, but if you want to have a good selection, you need to go to Pennsylvania. At the last show I was at, back in October, there were over 100 of them for sale in various calibers, grades, and ages.
I looked VERY longingly at a nice one with an octagon barrel and perch belly stock, low 100,000 serial number range IIRC, chambered in .30-30 Winchester, but just couldn't afford it.
I've long wanted to get a shooter in either .32-40 or .38-55, but with those two calibers there only seems to be two grades available -- beaten into the ground and used as a fence post for 50 years, or pristine with high-end sights and special options, and neither is very affordable.
The common calibers, though, .243, .308, .300 Savage, .250 Savage, those will often be found in good condition and reasonably priced, anywhere from $300 to $600, depending on caliber, model, and grade.
Over 3 million (IIRC) 99s were made from 1899 until just a few years ago. They're out there, and they're still wonderful rifles.
My 99 was made in 1936 and is chambered in .300 Savage.
Someone sent me a link for a Savage 99F in .358 that's on one of the auction sites. Current price is nearly $1,400. I wasn't joking when I said they're sought after.
Here's a little trivia for for you all.
The Savage 99 holds the distinction for being made in more factory standard calibers than any other lever action rifle.
Keltecnician
New member
I inherited my Dad's 88 in .308 and have greatly enjoyed shooting it. It has a very natural feel coming up, much like a Model 70.
Early on, I realized that it was far more accurate than I was with iron sights.
I mounted a 3x9 Simmons and was able to cover 4 holes with a quarter at 100 yards. OK, not every time, but hey!
One piece of advice: install a good recoil pad. These are relatively light rifles and will surprise you.
I see the Model 88 occasionally at gun shows.
Savage 99s are more common and a great rifle, as well.
I have never shot the Sako, but hope to one day.
Early on, I realized that it was far more accurate than I was with iron sights.
I mounted a 3x9 Simmons and was able to cover 4 holes with a quarter at 100 yards. OK, not every time, but hey!
One piece of advice: install a good recoil pad. These are relatively light rifles and will surprise you.
I see the Model 88 occasionally at gun shows.
Savage 99s are more common and a great rifle, as well.
I have never shot the Sako, but hope to one day.
I don't know how the market is for Savage 99s in Canada, but if you want to have a good selection, you need to go to Pennsylvania . . .
Absolutely! Just about any show here in PA, from the big ones in Pittsburgh, Philthadelphia, and Harrisburg to the small-town "firehall" shows will have Savage 99s, and more than one. Just bring at least $400 to $500 for each one you wish to buy; more for the earlier ones. Great rifles.
Noah
Absolutely! Just about any show here in PA, from the big ones in Pittsburgh, Philthadelphia, and Harrisburg to the small-town "firehall" shows will have Savage 99s, and more than one. Just bring at least $400 to $500 for each one you wish to buy; more for the earlier ones. Great rifles.
Noah