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Need Damaged Barrel Advice, Savage 99

081243
I inherited a very old (1920's) Savage 99 30-30 with a ringed barrel about 4" from end. (Grandfather worked at Savage in Utica) I would like to hunt with it, but it does not shoot very accurately. What are my options? Advice?

A local gun smith suggested boreing the rifling out down to the damaged place. Another person suggested relineing it, if that is possible (and I don't know where to get it done). Retire it? Other?

I don't know a lot about rifles and this is my first visit to the Forum, so bear with me...........Thanks in advance for any help.

Bill

bill
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Comments

5 comments

Date Votes
  • Xracer
    I'd suggest that you have your 99 rebarreled, if possible. Here's a list of places that might have a barrel for your gun, or might be able to lead you to one:

    Those companies with a "(*)" next to their name are also repair facilities.

    Ahlman's Inc. (*)
    9525 230th Street West
    Morristown, MN 55052
    507-685-4244

    Jack First Distributors (*)
    1201 Turbine Drive
    Rapid City, SD 57703
    605-343-9544

    Western Gun Parts LTD
    18124-107 Avenue
    Edmonton, AB T5S 1K5
    780-489-5711

    Bob's Gun Shop
    P.O. Box 200
    Royal, AR 71968
    501-767-1970

    Brownells, Inc.
    200 South Front Street
    Montezuma, IA 50171
    641-623-4000

    Numrich Gun Parts Corp
    226 Williams Lane, P.O. Box 299
    West Hurley, NY 12491
    866-686-7424

    Small Arms Shop (*)
    3262 South Eagle Point
    Inverness, FL 34450
    352-637-4770

    Trader's Den (*)
    1655 Olson Drive
    Cook, MN 55723
    218-666-5083

    Guns & Gun Parts Are Us
    983 Westfield Street
    West Springfield, MA 01089
    413-732-9938

    Good Luck.......
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  • A J Christ
    I have never rebarreled a Savage 99 but would think that it would be the best option, if it were my rifle, that's the way I'd go. This also gives you the option of changing the chambering if you desire. If you rebarrel, go with a gunsmith who has done this before and can show you his work. A number of years ago had a well known gunsmith do some barrel work for me. He was good on 1911A1's but terrible with barrel work on a rifle, ended up rebarreling to get it right. Check out his work before awarding the job. Those 99's are some very fine rifles and worth hanging on to.
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  • Der Gebirgsjager
    All the options given you are possible; some better than others. Rebarrelling would seem the best option. Part of this goes to if you desire to maintain the authenticity, as an original part barrel in good condition may be difficult to locate. It can certainly be rebarrelled with a modern barrel blank, but may then require different sights. You didn't tell us how long your barrel is, and some of these oldtimers had pretty long barrels. If your barrel is, for example 26 inches you could cut the first 4 inches off, recrown the muzzle, remount the front sight with a higher blade, and still have a serviceable 22" barrel. Xracer really helped you out will all the contact info.....you might also look at the little classified ads in the Shotgun News and Gun List for smaller dealers that handle barrels in general or even specific barrels.
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  • rufe-snow
    I respectifully disagree with the previous posters. Other then the "ringed" barrel, you didn't say if the Savage was factory original, present, physical condition, and how much of it's original finish remains?

    If it's factory original and in Very Good to Excellent Condition it would have considerable interest to a Savage collector, much more so in the future. If you were to rebarrel it, it's collectors value would be nil.

    My 2 cents, is that if it's in factory original very good to excellent condition, due nothing to it but hang it on the wall as a family heirloom. At the very most have the barrel relined, as that way the external physical condition won't be altered.

    luger_4.jpg
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  • 081243
    First, many thanks to those that have so promptly responded. The first responders did not metion relining. This seems (in my inexperienced eyes) to be a less alarming and expensive option than a totally new barrel, if indeed it is an option. Is relining a practical option ,advantages /disadvantages compared to rebarreling? Can any smith from the list provided reline it?

    As to condition, the gun has been shot little but carried a million miles since 1924. It has an awesome curly stock, but well worn. I have resisted refinishing, but as a woodworker it is highly tempting to coax back out the curly figure. Retireing is acceptable if that is the best thing to do.

    bill
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