An open letter to Savage-

[NIGHTLORD40K]

Here's some free market research for ya, Savage.

 

[entropy]

By classic chamberings, I mean .250 Savage, .300 Savage, .303 Savage.

.35 Remington would be acceptable also.

 

[Walkalong]

Not sure, but it would be cool.

 

[NIGHTLORD40K]

By classic chamberings, I mean .250 Savage, .300 Savage, .303 Savage.

.35 Remington would be acceptable also.

The proprietary Savage rounds ain't comin back, but .35 Rem. is probably still doable.

 

[GeoDudeFlorida]

I’m at the point of selling, not buying - well, except maybe for the occasional inexpensive range toy - but 10 years ago I would be all over a wood and steel ‘99 in any caliber starting with a 3.

 

[Mosin Bubba]

A mini action would be freaking cool.

 

[marksman13]

No chance. I always thought they were cool rifles until I got my hands on one. I’ve never picked up a more awkward feeling rifle. I know that’s the odd-man’s opinion as other people talk about how great they feel in the hands, but I just don’t understand the love they get.

 

[jmr40]

Nice rifles, but I seriously doubt they could build and sell them anywhere near $1000. Those are complex rifles to build, and they would likely have to invest a butt-load of money into tooling and machinery before they build the 1st rifle. Then they would have to sell a butt-load of them just to get their investment back.

They were an oddity that time has passed by. I just don't see enough demand to justify producing them again. That doesn't mean I don't like them. I've been tempted many times over the years to get one. Just never pulled the trigger.

 

[12Bravo20]

A mini action would be freaking cool.

A left handed version based on teh smaller Model 25 receiver would be nice.

As for the OP's question, I would not be interested in a new Model 99. I'm really not a fan of lever actions.

 

[I6turbo]

I'd like to have one just because I like older gun designs, but honestly, I probably wouldn't buy a new one even if they were available, UNLESS they really built them like they used to. I'd more likely do what I do with most of my other gun purchases -- I'd buy an older one of the most desirable (to me) model and vintage. Some examples of my choices:
- No-dash/low-dash S&W revolvers instead of the more recent productions
- BRNO and earlier CZ rifles instead of the current-production 457 and 600 models
- Winchester 37 52 instead of the Japan reproductions or even modern Anschutz rifles
- FN Belgium Hi Power instead of the recent releases
- Ithaca 37s built before 1956 instead of the modern ones

 

[LoonWulf]

Id buy one i think, its not a huge want, but its a want.
Say 1000 for a synthetic stock reasonably well-finished model?
I would raise that price tag to 15-2000 and find the money, if they would do a "deluxe" variant with polished internals, good polish and bluing, and nice wood (Not great, but at least above average for current retail) thats properly checkered.

 

[LoonWulf]

Ya know.....I was just thinking (terrifying)..... I actually really WANT a nice lever gun, have for a while.... One I would actually use for hunting as well as, or opposed to, being a range toy or project, and I really only want one.

I realize that I have a number of druthers that don't coincide with most lever guns, even the very nice ones. The only gun currently manufactured that meets my requirements, the BLR, has 99% of what I want.
If Henry would put a semi-pistol grip on their long ranger that would also be worth a hard look.
The Savage 99 with a slightly heavier than average profile 22-24" barrel in 6.5CM or 7-08 (or OMG YES! 1-8 twist .250 Savage/AI) would be pretty much perfect.

 

[entropy]

I'd like to have one just because I like older gun designs, but honestly, I probably wouldn't buy a new one even if they were available, UNLESS they really built them like they used to. I'd more likely do what I do with most of my other gun purchases -- I'd buy an older one of the most desirable (to me) model and vintage. Some examples of my choices:
- No-dash S&W revolvers instead of the more recent productions
- BRNO and earlier CZ rifles instead of the 457 and 600
- Winchester 37 instead of the Japan reproductions or even modern Anschutz rifles
- FN Belgium Hi Power instead of the recent releases
- Ithaca 37s built before 1956 instead of the modern ones

The Winchester 37 was a single shot shotgun, made 1936-63 in New haven, Conn. There were no Japanese made reproductions made, nor by any other maker or country except Win. 370's, which were made in Canada by Cooey 1964-1972, and the 37A, also made by Cooey, 1973-1980.

Win. Model 52, perhaps?

I do like my 1941 Ithaca 37 better than my 1980-ish one.

 

[9x56MS]

No chance. I always thought they were cool rifles until I got my hands on one. I’ve never picked up a more awkward feeling rifle. I know that’s the odd-man’s opinion as other people talk about how great they feel in the hands, but I just don’t understand the love they get.

It is all about the ballance, fit and feel. Nothing can fix a bad fit.

 

[Pat Riot]

I would love to have a Savage Model 99 in .308.
Back in the ‘90’s I was thinking about getting into gunsmithing and a friend of mine asked me to check out his 3 guns and clean them up as he had been neglecting them. One of his guns was a Savage 99.
It was in pretty good shape but I doubt the gun had ever had the action disassembled and properly cleaned in many years. So I did a really good cleaning on it and replaced a couple of springs and of course I needed to test fire it.
It had an old Weaver 3-9 power scope on it and he wanted to make sure it was functional as well. I think he had inherited the gun. So I picked up some various manufactured .308 ammo and hit the range and fell in love with my buddy’s rifle. It fit me. It felt natural to me and I love lever actions. Bolt guns have always just seemed awkward to me.
What a great shooter it was with several brands/configurations of ammo. I don’t recall what it liked best but in general it was a fine shooter and quite capable of 1 MOA accuracy.

I since have looked for a decent model 99 but they have been elusive or way over priced. The ones I have encountered for sale this past decade have been in terrible shape.

Heck Yeah, I’d buy a $1000 model 99 even if I had to sell some guns to get it.

 

[JDeere]

I have one in 300 Savage I shot when I was a kid deer hunting back in the 60s. I liked it until I got a bolt gun and it was put away never to be used again. They are cool but how bout we get Winchester to bring back the Model 88? I have one of those in .308 that belonged to my dad. He loved that rifle. Wish they would have made those with a better trigger I would still be shooting it...

 

[redneck2]

i see numerous threads on “what’s the cheapest……”. There are few to none “what’s the highest quality……”

As much as guys say they love 99’s, I had two that I sold that were pristine (one a beautiful limited edition collector grade) that I had a really, really hard time selling. The regular version .300 Savage in probably 85-90% condition sold for $425. So now guys will say “boy, sure wish I could get that. I’d buy it in a heartbeat“

Really? Where were you when I had it listed for six months?

So, you’d buy a really nice blued steel and wood? Bull crap. My collector grade was as close to 100% as you’ll ever get. Fantastic wood. Beautiful checkering. Caliber was .250-3000. I bought it to use for an antelope hunt. It was too perfect to take into the field. Took a year to sell it for $1,100

Browning and Henry both make equivalent ones, particularly the Browning. It’s everything that guys swear they want. Until it’s available. Then all of a sudden the desire goes away. I’d venture the BLR that’s an absolutely beautiful rifle doesn’t represent 1/10th of 1% of the overall rifle market. Probably not even 1/100th of 1%. You gonna tool up for a rifle that represents .001%%?

The other part is obscure calibers. They’re obscure because people quit buying them.

 

[GeoDudeFlorida]

i see numerous threads on “what’s the cheapest……”. There are few to none “what’s the highest quality……”

As much as guys say they love 99’s, I had two that I sold that were pristine (one a beautiful limited edition collector grade) that I had a really, really hard time selling. The regular version .300 Savage in probably 85-90% condition sold for $425. So now guys will say “boy, sure wish I could get that. I’d buy it in a heartbeat“

Really? Where were you when I had it listed for six months?

So, you’d buy a really nice blued steel and wood? Bull crap. My collector grade was as close to 100% as you’ll ever get. Fantastic wood. Beautiful checkering. Caliber was .250-3000. Took a year to sell it for $1,100

Browning and Henry both make equivalent ones, particularly the Browning. It’s everything that guys swear they want. Until it’s available. Then all of a sudden the desire goes away. I’d venture the BLR that’s an absolutely beautiful rifle doesn’t represent 1/10th of 1% of the overall rifle market. Probably not even 1/100th of 1%. You gonna tool up for a rifle that represents .001%%?

I just sold a Miroku Browning BLR in .358Win on consignment through a shop a few towns east for $1400 (minus fees it put $1200 in my pocket). It went in one day. Same shop has had a Savage in .30-40US on the wall for going on two years. Also consignment and the fella selling it is asking north of $2K. Condition is very good - I would say 80%, probably - but this area just isn’t the market for that rifle. It’s all about price, market and timing.

 

[Pat Riot]

So now guys will say “boy, sure wish I could get that. I’d buy it in a heartbeat“

Really? Where were you when I had it listed for six months?

So, you’d buy a really nice blued steel and wood? Bull crap

Yes! If it’s a new one in .308. I have passed over many .300 Savage 99’s. I don’t want a .300 Savage. Period.

 

[Charlie98]

If they chamber it in 6.5ManBun, they would sell them!

I would agree with the other poster... the 99 is too expensive of a rifle to produce to retail a new one at $1000, but maybe $1500 would be more realistic. This is all just Fantasy Disco stuff, anyway... I don't see Savage taking that on any time soon... BUT. You never know... Winchester, Browning, Chiappa, and others are making a pretty good living reproducing the older rifles and such. I would opine that Savage is behind the wave on this one... by the time they could tool up and produce a rifle for the market, the lever-action boom very likely will have passed.

I bought my first 99 on a fluke... but after the first range session I knew it was a keeper, and wound up selling off my Marlin 336... the 99 was THAT good.

 

[PapaG]

I've had a few. Ingenious design. Weird at the same time. I have a butchered up commemorative sitting in the project pile right now.
Never found one with a good trigger. I'd pass on a new one.

 

[3Crows]

As long as it is stainless steel.

I do not think that manufacturers stop making guns that sell well and which are profitable. Take the recent Marlin revival. The 1895SBL was the lead off project because it had the highest sales numbers from (Ruger acquiring) Remington sales records and had huge pent up demand as evidenced by the willingness of many to pay resellers over MSRP to purchase. Yet on any forum, you would never guess that the SBL was that strong of a driver for Remington and now Ruger. Just the opposite on forums, always want something nobody really wanted and do not want what everyone really wants, which is largely not blued steel and walnut but instead functional rifles that can live in the elements and unfortunately often tactical looking. The Savage 99 would have to be made relevant to today's market which is often misrepresented on enthusiast forums.

 

[redneck2]

If they chamber it in 6.5ManBun, they would sell them

They do. Actually they have a bazillion calibers. Which just proves that no matter what is offered, someone wants something different

If it was blued and wood with a synthetic stock and stainless barrel that was 19 7/8” instead of 20” and in .219 Mashburn instead of .218 Bee and had a five round mag instead of four, I’d buy one in an instant

 

[redneck2]

Yes! If it’s a new one in .308. I have passed over many .300 Savage 99’s. I don’t want a .300 Savage. Period.

You understand that the .300 Savage is virtually identical to a .308 other than the Savage neck is a little shorter?

I used .308 brass to load for my .300

 

[9x56MS]

I would love to have a Savage Model 99 in .308.
Back in the ‘90’s I was thinking about getting into gunsmithing and a friend of mine asked me to check out his 3 guns and clean them up as he had been neglecting them. One of his guns was a Savage 99.
It was in pretty good shape but I doubt the gun had ever had the action disassembled and properly cleaned in many years. So I did a really good cleaning on it and replaced a couple of springs and of course I needed to test fire it.
It had an old Weaver 3-9 power scope on it and he wanted to make sure it was functional as well. I think he had inherited the gun. So I picked up some various manufactured .308 ammo and hit the range and fell in love with my buddy’s rifle. It fit me. It felt natural to me and I love lever actions. Bolt guns have always just seemed awkward to me.
What a great shooter it was with several brands/configurations of ammo. I don’t recall what it liked best but in general it was a fine shooter and quite capable of 1 MOA accuracy.

I since have looked for a decent model 99 but they have been elusive or way over priced. The ones I have encountered for sale this past decade have been in terrible shape.

Heck Yeah, I’d buy a $1000 model 99 even if I had to sell some guns to get it.

My first lever action was a Savage 99 in 308 it shoots 1-1.5” with Speer 165 grain roundnose. I have a 3x9 Leoupold on it. It balances and fits quite well. Great rifles.