What do you look for when buying a used rifle?

[Western]

When you said "finish is bad", do mean the stock or bluing? Either are easily re-done, I think wood is easier though. Even still, you can check with a gun smith and see what a blue job would cost, may even contact savage and see if their smiths do it. I would factor in that cost.

If the action is smooth and tight, the bore rifling would be the next thing I would want at least 90%, clean shiny and no pitting.

 

[Jstpssng]

Thanks for the comments... good "food for thought". :thumbsup:
The price is comparable to a new Axim, ($300) . I've never enjoyed a bolt action (except my Marlin 25) and the 99 had one of the tightest actions of any lever action. If it's still there when they open next week, I believe that I will fill a long empty slot in my gun cablinet.

 

[Western]

OK, that was easy:laughing: Should have just bought it when ya was standing there and we all could have skipped the "drama" It's tough bringing in a new "family member" to the gun case.

We could have been critiquing your 1st round of live fire by now:confused3::laughing:

 

[whistlepig]

savage 99e For Sale – Buy savage 99e Online at GunBroker.com

 

[Tollster]

I would just be sure the action cycles well, extractor pin does indeed extract, and no hang ups on the next load being chambered.
Look for galling in the chamber if ya can, I think at some time all of us had a center fire lever, that had trouble cycling rounds. Get a bill of sale.

 

[RobertBrown]

Don't even consider the purchase of that or any rifle until you have put light down the bore and examined same.
You skip over a very relevent question by Western.
[QUOTE When you said "finish is bad", do mean the stock or bluing? [/QUOTE]
If the bluing is gone you can bet the bore is corroded. The gun could have been stored in basement or barn for years and might be a wall hanger.
Check the bore, post some pictures.

 

[Steppenwolfe]

Lack of previous use, or very well maintained.

 

[RobertN]

The .308 is based on the .300 Savage. Basically, the cartridge was tweaked for a tiny bit more power, and to feed better in machine guns.

300 Savage is a great classic cartridge. Savage 99 is an excellent lever action rifle.

The 99's are very nice guns,well made.If the bore is good I would purchase it,the action on them is like a Swiss watch;even the ones built in the 1990's.I think the .300 is slightly less powerfull than the .308 Winchester.I know my buddy's father killed several moose/bear and lots of deer with that gun and caliber.

 

[Jstpssng]

K, I'm guilty of overthinking. My next post could show how I mount the scope...

As for Western's final comment- that could happen yet I won't ever admit that I can confuse 100 yards with 100 feet.

 

[Western]

:laughing: Whats a few secrets amongst friends!

We will just assume 100 yards, but if you do it at a 1000 yards, I have little doubt we will hear that fact presented