New (to me) Model 99 .308

[pulicords]

Hi all, I'm new to the forum but, not to shooting and wanted some thoughts from experienced Savage people. Tonight I bought my first Model 99. I've still got to wait about a month before I can pick it up (I'm in CA and the gun just went on consignment-stupid CA legal system), so I don't have the serial number to determine an exact age. It's a 22" barrel model, with rotary magazine and counter, .308 Win caliber, has cut checkering on a Monte Carlo style stock with steel butt plate and tang safety. The rifle's got good bluing (95% or better) on the barrel and receiver and good case coloring on the lever. It's wood is fairly plain and the finish has been rubbed off in a few spots, but there's no cracks or major damage. The gun locks up tight and the bore looks great.

Here's the thing. I bought the gun as a pig shooter. I love hunting wild (feral) hog here in CA and unfortunately it looks like my favorite guns will see limited use in the future. I was using Winchesters (Model 71 and 94) in .348 and .375 Winchester, but don't reload and CA just enacted regulations requiring "green" ammo to "protect the endangered Condors." Kinda hard to find lead free factory ammo for "obsolete" cartridges like I'm used to shooting. Anyhow, I love using lever-guns for this type of hunting, saw the M99 for $650.00 at my local gunshop and figured it fit the bill.

Now my questions and request for input. I'm guessing the rifle was made in the 60's-'70's. Am I close?

I'd like to clean this up a bit and am wondering should I just refinish the stock to avoid excessive moisture damaging it or impairing accuracy. This obviously isn't a collector piece, but I'd like to spruce it up. Would a new stock be out of the question? It has a steel butt plate and a new pad would probably be more comfortable and practical.

Finally, it's drilled and taped (factory) for a scope and I'd like to either replace the open rear sight with a Lyman peep rear or (more likely) set it up with a nice, low power Leupold scope. Thinking maybe a fixed 4x? Although I haven't shot it yet, it's got an excellent trigger and I think the rifle's got potential.

Any advice/suggestions/input would be appreciated.

[pruneemac]

I think you are close on the mfg dates. there is a guy who will tell you when you have the ser#. I too live in condor ville. I have had to rework all my loads with Barnes Triple Shocks as they are the only allowed bullets (1 Nosler) with a choice.

Went pig hunting in Tehachapi last weekend. had a blast!

[99trix]

Hand cut checkering was prior to 1965 and the 308 didn't show up until after 1955 so you have about a 10 year window. Could be a model DL with a 22" barrel and since you mention monte carlo stock. Does it have sling swivels (standard on the models DL)? Also would have model M on the barrel for Monte Carlo stock if it is a DL. If it is a DL they were cut checkered from 1962 - 1965, making your rifle 1962, 63 or 64. Pictures are worth a thousand words. Also if you can give me the first 3 or 4 numbers of the serial number I might be able to tell you what year it was made

[pulicords]

The Model 99 I plan on buying does have an "M" marked on the barrel ("99M"). It has sling swivels and it's serial number prefix is: 106****.

Sorry, no photos. The rifle is still at the shop and I won't be able to pay for it for a couple of weeks still.

[pulicords]

The Model 99 has a serial number of 106****, has sling swivels and it's barrel is marked "99M." Sorry for the lack of photos, but I won't be able to pay for the rifle for a few more weeks.

I appreciate the information.

[99trix]

Savage 99 Model DL (deluxe) date of manufacture 1963, came from the factory with sling swivels, nice rifle!

[pulicords]

Thanks for the info!