I've been collecting primarily Marlin and Browning levers for decades.
I never took to the Winnies.
I've been on the hunt for Savage levers for a few years, so in March last year, I bought my first one, a 1903 1899 in 30-30 that someone had clearly and painstakingly restored to like new. The only thing he did not do correctly was he blued the butt stock cap and lever. I just sent those parts to Montana for case coloring. Hopefully, I'll be able to put it back together and the restoration will be complete.
I may take it to the range this spring, but I'll never hunt with it.
In April, I went to a local gun shop and he had a 99F in 308 Win in nice condition and priced right so it came home with me.
The former owner sanded the stock and put a White Line pad on it. I wish he didn't.
It shoots beautifully using my 150gr Nosler Ballistic Tip loads.
Then in June, and by a series of unusual circumstances, I come to find a local gunsmith who also happens to be an FFL working out of his house. I brought him a Schmidt Rubin 1911 stock for him to repair, and left with a 1935 Savage 99 in 250 Savage that he had in his "showroom".
He had the original Redfield scope base for it, 11 rounds of loaded 100 grain, and 140 pieces of brass.
I'll just say I stole it.
I loaded a bunch of 87gr Speer Hot Cors for it.
I put a Leupold Vari-X III 3-9X40 on it, and after shimming the rear of the mount, I was able to put 5 shots into a dime at 100 yards.
That one I hunted with this season and took 2 deer on opening day.
The bullet performance was far better than I expected based on so many negative comments by 250 Savage naysayers.
The hydrostatic shock literally jellied / liquified their hearts and lungs, left a 3" bruise on the meat inside the ribs on the way out, and even bruised the rears of the front shoulder meat.
This one might just be my new go-to.
And as I do at the end of every year when I get my bonus, I invest in firearms.
Just picked up a 1949 99 in 300 Savage and a 1959 99 in 308 Win.
And a Browning BLR in 243 and another in 358....
I love the way the Brownings and Marlins handle and shoot, but my name is Julian and I am a Savage addict !
Happy New Year and love the stories !
I never took to the Winnies.
I've been on the hunt for Savage levers for a few years, so in March last year, I bought my first one, a 1903 1899 in 30-30 that someone had clearly and painstakingly restored to like new. The only thing he did not do correctly was he blued the butt stock cap and lever. I just sent those parts to Montana for case coloring. Hopefully, I'll be able to put it back together and the restoration will be complete.
I may take it to the range this spring, but I'll never hunt with it.
In April, I went to a local gun shop and he had a 99F in 308 Win in nice condition and priced right so it came home with me.
The former owner sanded the stock and put a White Line pad on it. I wish he didn't.
It shoots beautifully using my 150gr Nosler Ballistic Tip loads.
Then in June, and by a series of unusual circumstances, I come to find a local gunsmith who also happens to be an FFL working out of his house. I brought him a Schmidt Rubin 1911 stock for him to repair, and left with a 1935 Savage 99 in 250 Savage that he had in his "showroom".
He had the original Redfield scope base for it, 11 rounds of loaded 100 grain, and 140 pieces of brass.
I'll just say I stole it.
I loaded a bunch of 87gr Speer Hot Cors for it.
I put a Leupold Vari-X III 3-9X40 on it, and after shimming the rear of the mount, I was able to put 5 shots into a dime at 100 yards.
That one I hunted with this season and took 2 deer on opening day.
The bullet performance was far better than I expected based on so many negative comments by 250 Savage naysayers.
The hydrostatic shock literally jellied / liquified their hearts and lungs, left a 3" bruise on the meat inside the ribs on the way out, and even bruised the rears of the front shoulder meat.
This one might just be my new go-to.
And as I do at the end of every year when I get my bonus, I invest in firearms.
Just picked up a 1949 99 in 300 Savage and a 1959 99 in 308 Win.
And a Browning BLR in 243 and another in 358....
I love the way the Brownings and Marlins handle and shoot, but my name is Julian and I am a Savage addict !
Happy New Year and love the stories !
