Cheap bullets and not loading the way you're "supposed to"

[Bret4207]

Any one own/owned a Browning BLR??

Talk about stock/recoil!! That design might look great/perfect... But it causes much muzzle rise in my 358 to the point it can rip the fore stock right out of your grip putting the scope right into your eyebrow if your not careful!!

I have shot two 358 Rifles since and they are pussy cats in comparison. I dont shoot factory loads in that gun because of that!

CW

I always wanted a BLR 358...right up until I actually held one! I think "awkward" might best describe the impression I was left with. Rather heavy too, but it's a large rifle. I think if they'd scaled the whole shebang down maybe 15-20% and altered some angles they might have left a better aftertaste, but they wanted something that would handle a 30-06. Mayne compared to a 95 Win or 86 for that matter they aren't quite so big and odd feeling?

 

[Bret4207]

On the subject of the Savage 99 Magazine, anything else is not a Savage 99. Those horrid abominations with the detachable mags make me even more disgusted than the crossbolt safeties on the Marlins. I would simply not own or even touch one.

Personally, I never understood all the crying guys did about the no loading gate Henry rifles. I kind of like the idea of the magazine loading from the front, though I've never owned or used one.

Ouch! I've never been able to find an affordable (for me) rotary mag 300. But when 99C in 308 fell into my lap for $300 it followed me home! Great shooting rifle, but it will never be a 99 Carbine, that's for sure. My 303 99, complete with 26" barrel, is pure 99, but that crescent butt plate makes target work unpleasant with full power loads. Can't bring myself to chop it though.

If I could time travel I'd have a mess of nice 99's!

 

[Bret4207]

No argument from me about the Savage. The rotary magazine, true CRF, elegant trigger shape, and striker firing mechanism are but a few of its superior qualities.

I got over the cross bolt safety when I discovered I could make a cool brass saddle ring and stud to replace it. Then I actually bought and used the rifle and found that the ability to cycle the magazine empty indoors without risking an ND is actually quite worth it so I never replaced it, though I do keep a couple of extra nitrile O-rings in the hunting bag in case I ever take it hunting and want to lock out the hammer safety. People give me endless crap over my indifference to the Henry centerfire magazine loading tube and lack of a loading gate but I don't care because it makes unloading easy, doesn't split my thumbnail in that weak spot it has from an injury, and doesn't scratch brass. If I ever expect to get into a long, running gunfight from horseback I'll be taking my AR-15 anyway so no di hace.

"CRF"? I'm drawing a blank...

 

[richhodg66]

I'm something of a Savage 99 snob, not as bad as some, I have a few in a few configurations. Not a big fan of the post one million serial numbered ones in general, though I like the E models which kept the trigger safety as opposed to the tang. My .358, likewise is a post one million and is a good shooter. I have an H carbine in .303 which will hld its own on the handiness scale with any '94 or 336.

Probably the best deer rifle among them is a beat up pawn shop rescue 99EG in .300 Savage, the most common variant in the most common caliber but that thing points and carries like a dream to me and cycles like greased glass. Accurat with cast as well. Most of the 99 purists when you get amongst them kinda turn their noses up at the EGs, but a finer deer rifle doesn't exist.

 

[Glaciers]

Winchester levers with shotgun butt or with crescent butt have never bothered me. The 1895 in 405 with CB was somewhat wicked but tolerable.
The 1886 lightweight rifle in 45-70 and 33 win are my favorite even though I currently don’t own one.
Even though I have some Marlins I can’t warm up to them.
Well I take that back, I do like the 1895 with a straight stock.

 

[Jeff H]

"CRF"? I'm drawing a blank...

Controlled Round Feed, like the Mausers, wherein the extractor takes control of the cartridge before it is fully release from the magazine ans sheperds it into the chamber.

I was unaware that the Savage did this.

I recently read that there were a few Texas Rangers who appreciated the 99, as well as some Chinese tiger-hunter. The tiger-hunter apparently favored the 22 Savage Hi-Power. I've never hunted tigers, but I don't think I'd have the "front locking lugs" to do it with a 22.

 

[CWLONGSHOT]

I have pops '99. I sold off my '99/300 cause the price offered was needed else where at the time.
Pops is a 308, I bought for him when he was really down on the Winchester 88 he had ta have didnt measure up. It was simply a "Monday or Friday" gun as Bret pointed out. It was stiff to operate and never shot well. He shot the '99 with same load he had for the 88 and all three touched with zero last owner made. He sold that 88 the following weekend! Invested in a "better" scope then the 3x Weaver that the Savage wore.

Anyhow, Im a 35 cal guy to the core and since the day he gave it back to me, I have had JES rebore ta 358 in mind.

Thoughts?

CW

 

[oscarflytyer]

"A (94)16" Trapper is far worse the the 20" bbl'd standard Carbine."

Glad it's not just me. Nowadays, I have a pair of 94s, 20" bbls, 30-30/32 WS. They don't seem to bother me.

Any one own/owned a Browning BLR??

Talk about stock/recoil!! That design might look great/perfect... But it causes much muzzle rise in my 358 to the point it can rip the fore stock right out of your grip putting the scope right into your eyebrow if your not careful!!

I have shot two 358 Rifles since and they are pussy cats in comparison. I dont shoot factory loads in that gun because of that!

CW

CW - but be 'fit' (maybe?). While my 358 BLR does recoil, it isn't to th epoint of being uncomfortable for sighting in and hunting. Don't know I'd want to shoot a box or two, but...

Someone also mentioned the 1895 405 Win with cast. Mine is fairly pleasant (300 gr/~1500 fps). Same with the Marlin 1895s with my Trapdoor cast load.

 

[CWLONGSHOT]

Agreed recoil isnt found to be excessive (but more then bolt guns) but muzzle rise surely is!!

 

[Bret4207]

I'm something of a Savage 99 snob, not as bad as some, I have a few in a few configurations. Not a big fan of the post one million serial numbered ones in general, though I like the E models which kept the trigger safety as opposed to the tang. My .358, likewise is a post one million and is a good shooter. I have an H carbine in .303 which will hld its own on the handiness scale with any '94 or 336.

Probably the best deer rifle among them is a beat up pawn shop rescue 99EG in .300 Savage, the most common variant in the most common caliber but that thing points and carries like a dream to me and cycles like greased glass. Accurat with cast as well. Most of the 99 purists when you get amongst them kinda turn their noses up at the EGs, but a finer deer rifle doesn't exist.

I think it was the "R" and "A" I liked. Had my hands on a half octagon early model in 30-30 sans stock set and let it get away. That was dumb!

 

[Bret4207]

Controlled Round Feed, like the Mausers, wherein the extractor takes control of the cartridge before it is fully release from the magazine ans sheperds it into the chamber.

I was unaware that the Savage did this.

I recently read that there were a few Texas Rangers who appreciated the 99, as well as some Chinese tiger-hunter. The tiger-hunter apparently favored the 22 Savage Hi-Power. I've never hunted tigers, but I don't think I'd have the "front locking lugs" to do it with a 22.

At the time the Hi Power was all the rage. I think the tiger hunter was a missionary too. In that period there weren't a lot of reliable expanding jacketed bullets. I don't know how many tigers he shot, but like Bell, he probably knew the targets anatomy very well!

 

[richhodg66]

I have one of the "Brush Gun" 99s in .358 and kind of think all that keeps it from being the perfect deer rifle is the straight grip and tang safety. So I got to thinking of doing just what you're thinking to my 99E in .308, then selling the Brushgun and pocketing the significant difference, just haven't decided to do it yet. The .358 and a 99 is a pretty darn good combo.

 

[Ian]

If you decide to sell the the "brush gun" shoot me a PM. Being a southpaw the tang safety would be an advantage and I've always wanted a .358 Winchester just for the hell of it. I also like straight grips.

 

[richhodg66]

Ran across one of the BRush Gun variants in .375 Winchester in a shop in Salina a several years ago, only one I ever saw in the flesh. They had it on gunbroker, so I looked it up. When the bidding got north of 1500 bucks or so, I lost interest. That particular variant draws crazy money anymore.

 

[Ian]

I was unaware that the Savage did this

Its a unique design, not exactly like the Mauser system. The cartridge ejector is a sring-loaded, hinged hood which rotates to kick out the cartridge that the bolt just withdrew from the chamber when the bolt is nearly all the way back. A fresh cartridge follows into place behind the ejected one and is held in place by the hood until the bolt rides forward, ramps the hood away into its pocket, and pushes it into the chamber. Imagine a cross between a 1911, a Mauser, and a Krag. 100% captured and controlled. The rifle will feed empties upside down while shaking it.

 

[Ian]

Ran across one of the BRush Gun variants in .375 Winchester in a shop in Salina a several years ago, only one I ever saw in the flesh. They had it on gunbroker, so I looked it up. When the bidding got north of 1500 bucks or so, I lost interest. That particular variant draws crazy money anymore.

They all draw crazy money. I've been stalking a consignment at a local gun shop for about three years now, its a 1920's 1899 .250-3000 with lots of dings, wear, and no rifling visible in the muzzle. Guy is asking $850 for it and won't even haggle on a $500 offer. Obviously it's still there.

 

[Rick H]

Once upon a time I had a dream of the perfect all around deer and medium game rifle. I wanted a Savage 99 with the tang safety (I'm a southpaw) in .284 Winchester. I wanted a mechanically sound rifle with a dinged up stock cheap. My intentions were to stock and checker it with some decent wood. Even 40 years ago they were rare, today no such animal exists. I have never owned a '99 but always liked them. Removable magazines don't bother me a bit, so long as I have a few spares. Its a pity that Savage quit making them. The best of all the lever actions in my book.

My only lever action centerfire is a Marlin Guide Gun in 45/70. It is a SS 18" bbl. rifle without the porting one of the last "JM" guns. When I bought it I went through it, cleaned up bedding, magazine tube mounting, deburring, radiused the cam and generally smoothed things up. I paid particular attention to the loading port and gate. Loading and unloading through the gate was like trying to give a bobcat a bath. One would think the factory would at least break the edges in there. I like the Marlin, easy to carry and handle, points well for me. With 300gr. HP's at 1880fps the recoil isn't bad at all and it drops deer like Thor's Hammer. 385gr. cast at 1800 are beginning to get unpleasant and at 2000fps downright painful. It is a great rifle for poking around the thick woods of Michigan's UP. Perfect for bear over bait too.

 

[Bret4207]

I never understood why the Savage 99 was #3 and not #1 in sales. Price likely had the most to do with it. As far as a new production model, I have been told that the action just doesn't lend itself to modern production methods. And lets face it, today's younger set wants semi autos, holo sights and 30 round mags...for hunting!

 

[richhodg66]

Expense was the reason, I'm sure. Savage actually made a lot of stuff that was better than sales numbers would indicate. The Model 1920 bolt rifles were WAYYYYY ahead of their time.

I like 99s a lot, I wish there was some way they could still be made, even if they were more or less custom and out of my price range, just seems a shame such an icon is extinct.

 

[Glaciers]

"A (94)16" Trapper is far worse the the 20" bbl'd standard Carbine."

Glad it's not just me. Nowadays, I have a pair of 94s, 20" bbls, 30-30/32 WS. They don't seem to bother me.



CW - but be 'fit' (maybe?). While my 358 BLR does recoil, it isn't to th epoint of being uncomfortable for sighting in and hunting. Don't know I'd want to shoot a box or two, but...

Someone also mentioned the 1895 405 Win with cast. Mine is fairly pleasant (300 gr/~1500 fps). Same with the Marlin 1895s with my Trapdoor cast load.

Actually I wasn’t referring to cast, but jacketed Hornady 300’s at 2100 plus. That starts to get your attention In the 405 With a crescent butt.