Savage 99 in 303 need sage wisdom

[zygier916]

I recently purchased a decent collection of savage 99's included was a early 1910 ish model in 303 savage take down heavy barrel sorry no length say 20 or 22. I am planing on selling it. Though I am having trouble getting info it looks to be rare and is in good/excellent condition beautiful patina and pristine bore no pitting. I need the wisdom of my fellow calgunner's attached are some pictures. If any one has any idea about this I would be very grateful.

thanks

[gun toting monkeyboy]

Well, what did you need to know about it? The basics are they are great guns. But finding brass for that particular cartridge is painful, to say the least. And I am one of those weird people who likes to reload obscure cartridges. They will do periodic runs of brass every few years, but once those are gone, you could end up waiting 2-3 years for the next batch. That is why the .303 Savage guns are normally in better condition than some of the other chamberings, and don't command as high of prices. Other than that, you are going to have to tell us what you are looking to find out.

-Mb

(edit) Grafs currently has brass in stock for around $67/100. So that means they did a run fairly recently.

[zygier916]

Well finding a specific model what i can tell its pre 308 but as for exact model im drawing a blank. Once i can identify i will be listing. Btw im keeping the other 99's i got you can imagine if im getting rid this one how nice the other ones are.

[Enfield47]

You might get the info you're looking for from the Savage colectors at 24hourcampfire.

http://www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/forums/40/1/Savage_Collectors

[mosinnagantm9130]

Is it possible to make .303 savage brass out of another caliber?

[Enfield47]

Is it possible to make .303 savage brass out of another caliber?

You might be able to make it using .303 British or 30-40 Krag cases.

[zygier916]

I was always told to use 30 40 krag ive seen a few decent loads using trail boss

[joefrank64k]

It looks to be a 99G 99B or D, since you said it's a takedown. I have a 99G in .303 Savage and as others have said, finding brass can be tough. I was able to buy a bunch of Prvi factory loaded .303 Savage a few years ago so I'm set for a while.

No idea as to value...it's an oddball caliber so that limits it's appeal, as folks generally want to shoot their 99's.

ETA: Just looked at your pics...the G has a checkered pistol grip and light barrel. Your's might be a B or D.

[TRAP55]

Loaded ammo, scroll down for brass and dies.

https://www.grafs.com/retail/catalog/product/productId/11929

Loaded ammo from 30/40 brass:

http://www.buffaloarms.com/Detail.aspx?PROD=157985&CAT=3818

Before I bought ammo, dies, or bullets, I would slug the bore. Early 99's in .303 were .311, later were .308.
Brass can be made from 30/40 Krag brass, but the case has to be swaged down and the rim turned.
I've got a box of vintage Winchester made? Savage .303 from about 1905-1910. But it's collector stuff, unless you can afford about $4-$5 a shot. I'll dig it out and get a pic to post.

[gun toting monkeyboy]

You do NOT want to try making .303 Savage out of .30-40 brass unless you have a lot of know-how and access to a lathe. It requires turning down the rim and swaging the case body, which is never fun. Supposedly you can make it out of .307 Winchester, which is the rimmed version of .308 Winchester, with just dies. Anything else is going to take a lot more work. The good news is that it appears that .303 Savage is available at the moment, being made by Prvi.

Realize that in all likelihood, you have a pre-WWII rifle. .303 Savage fell out of favor by the 1930s when other, more popular or effective rounds displaced it. You should be able to get the manufacture date pretty easily with a quick google search. It is likely worth $475-750, depending on the condition and finding the right buyer. It is a take-down, which adds a bit of a premium. But it is also in .303 Savage, which lowers the value some. I would try posting it on here in the $550 range. Or on Gunbroker, starting at $500, and see what it goes for. They are nice enough rifles. And the .303 Savage was a bit more potent than the .30-30. Especially with the standard 190 grain bullet it used. But the difference just wasn't enough to displace the ubiquitous .30-30. And Savage had decided to go with .300 Savage instead, as their flagship .30 caliber hunting round. A wise move on their part, as the Model 99 in .300 Savage became the quintessential deer hunting rifle throughout most of the country for almost 50 years.

-Mb