Let me know what you think.

[shenck]

While looking for rifles for my two grandchildren, I came across a type 99, that has been rechambered in 300 savage. It has been sporterized, with a thumbhole stock, looks like a boyds. I just know nothing about the type 99. The price is $200.00. I know everything is a gamble, but does anyone have any thoughts on this?

 

[Speedo66]

I’m certainly not well versed in Arisakas, but I’ve read they’re a very strong action, so at least it has that going for it.

Unless it was one of the training rifles which I don’t think were supposed to be fired. No idea how to tell the difference.

 

[Dave DeLaurant]

The system the Japanese used to thread and chamber the Type 99 barrel is pretty complex -- I'd want something in this chambering to be set up using a brand new barrel rather than a recycled shortened military barrel (which would also have an oversized bore.)

Beyond that, if you like the chambering and the way the rifle looks, it's your money and $200 doesn't buy much else these days. Could be a fun shooter.

 

[d2wing]

Cabela's had new Remington 783 rifles for 300. I would buy a new known rifle.

 

[Jim Watson]

an oversized bore

Right, if is the Arisaka barrel set back and rechambered, it is really a .311 Savage and probably not so hot accuracy.
If it was made out of a Springfield barrel or a blank, it is probably OK.

 

[tark]

I'm gonna reveal a dirty little secret here. I DO NOT recommend doing this but in an emergency, it works. A type 99 Arisaka will chamber and fire the following cartridges, if they are fed out of the magazine. 7.65 Argentine, 300 savage and in some cases 308 Winchester, depending on how tight the chamber is. With the .300 savage, you end up with a nearly straight walled case. Almost the same with the latter two. With it's controlled round feed, a type 99 can be safely fired with these rounds, as the extractor holds the cartridge tightly to the breech bolt face. The action is more than strong enough to withstand any factory load. Accuracy will be lousy.

The gun the OP refers to may not have been re-chambered at all.

 

[Ks5shooter]

Better newer options mho

 

[NIGHTLORD40K]

Whooo.....I like milsurps, and I like deals, but this doesn't seem to be rightly either.
Its a pass for me.

 

[doubleh]

Another pass from me also. If in your shoes I would go new budget rifle shopping.

 

[rdnktrkr]

I have a couple of Arisaka rifles that are 6.5x50, accurate for a milsurp with iron sights,
I would definitely have a good gunsmith check it out before buying it. I love seeing older rifles repurposed.

 

[drobs]

I'd get them matching 308 Savage Axis package rifles with scopes.

 

[Spats McGee]

While looking for rifles for my two grandchildren, I came across a type 99, that has been rechambered in 300 savage. It has been sporterized, with a thumbhole stock, looks like a boyds. I just know nothing about the type 99. The price is $200.00. I know everything is a gamble, but does anyone have any thoughts on this?

I know nothing about the Type 99 in 300 Savage. With that said, I do have a couple of questions: (1) how old are the grandkids? (2) what is their experience level with guns? and (3) what's the purpose of the rifle? Is it to teach them to shoot, or just to hand down to them?

If the answers are already in the thread and I just missed them, my apologies.

 

[MacAR]

Hard pass for me. While I do have a soft spot in my heart for sporterized milsurps, I have no love lost for the Arisaka. Five will get you 10 that rifle doesn't have a .308 bore as others have stated, and as such won't be accurate in any sense of the word. Were I in your shoes, I think I'd try to find the grandkids a matching pair of Remington 700's in your choice of caliber. Failing that, any of the other cheap, soul-less, Tupperware stocked bolt guns currently on the market would suit your purpose I should think.

Mac

 

[shenck]

Let me clarify some things, I wasn't considering this fir the grandkids, I just came upon it while looking for rifles for the grand kids. I'm sure it was re barreled, the barrel doesn't look military, and is stamped .300 savage. It just looked interesting to me.

 

[MacAR]

Let me clarify some things, I wasn't considering this fir the grandkids, I just came upon it while looking for rifles for the grand kids. I'm sure it was re barreled, the barrel doesn't look military, and is stamped .300 savage. It just looked interesting to me.

In that case, I'm going to back up on what I said. For the price, if it's truly re-barreled, it's probably worth it. Would be a fun rifle to play with and do some hunting with as well. The 300 savage is a great whitetail caliber, after all. As @Dave DeLaurant said, $200 don't buy much these days. I say go for it if you like it!

Mac

 

[Spats McGee]

Let me clarify some things, I wasn't considering this fir the grandkids, I just came upon it while looking for rifles for the grand kids. I'm sure it was re barreled, the barrel doesn't look military, and is stamped .300 savage. It just looked interesting to me.

Well, that certainly changes the landscape! I have no idea about this rifle, but thanks for the clarification.

 

[gotboostvr]

A 300sav wouldn't be my first choice to rebarrel a rifle to but it wouldn't be a bad one.

Dies, brass and bullets are plentiful, it's a nifty cartridge.

If it looks good and is interesting to you, I'd buy it.

 

[entropy]

It'd be fun to work up loads for and keep around as a backup deer rifle. .300 Savage is a good round. Price is good. I certainly wouldn't fault you for buying it

 

[Varminterror]

In your shoes, I’d personally skip it and revert to the original plan of finding something for the grandkids to shoot.