Opinion: The Savage 99 Is the King of Lever Guns

Adam Moore Aug 1, 2024

When I started hunting in middle school, I was lucky enough to cut my teeth on classic deer rifles. On Saturday mornings during deer-dog season, my grandfather and dad would load me up, and we’d head to their camp and wait for the dog handlers to show up. I have distinct memories of my grandfather’s Toyota pickup and the floorboard of his truck, which always had a pile of gravel, Gatorade bottles filled with wads of chew, chipped arrowheads, and his Marlin 336 wedged between the passenger seat and center console.

Of course, he wasn’t the only one. Other folks at camp toted similar rifles like Winchester ‘94s, the reliably-unreliable Remington 742s, and my dad’s personal favorite (which he still carries), a Remington 760 in .35 Rem. So, I’ve always had an affinity for big woods rifles, especially lever actions.

However, it wasn’t until I went to college and started working in a gun store that I discovered the Savage M99. It would be another three years after that before I laid my hands on one. As soon as I did, it only took about ten seconds for me to decide that the money I was saving to buy a pawned Honda Shadow would be better spent on a rifle. After all, I’d save money and probably my life.

Since I bought that M99 in .308 Win., I’ve owned or killed deer with some of the best lever-action hunting rifles like the Marlin 336, Winchester ’94s, and the highly utilitarian Marlin 1895. While I like them all, none of them top the M99. Yes, the Savage 99 reigns over your Winchester ’94 and its rattling action. It’s also superior to the Marlin 336 (JM or otherwise), though I would never say this in front of mine.

Backstory and Design

The Savage Model 1899, named after the year of its inception and eventually shortened to M99 in 1921, was a highly innovative hunting rifle for the turn of the twentieth century. Unlike its contemporaries, the 99’s rotary-style magazine allowed for spitzer-style bullets, so it wasn’t limited to flat nose cartridges like the tube-fed Winchesters or Marlins. It also sported an internal hammer, cocking indicator, and brass round counter on the side of the receiver. The M99 was no photon blaster, but it was lightyears ahead of the competition.

Internally, the 99’s lever connects to the breech block that locks the action as the lever is closed. This solid action allowed for high-pressured cartridges. Rather than a typical “brush gun,” the Savage 99’s design made it a lever action capable of then impressive ballistic feats.

Cartridge Offerings

While the 99 was initially introduced in .303 Savage and .30-30 Win., Savage eventually rolled out more cartridge offerings like the .250-3000 and .300 Savage. While the .250-3000 (.250 Savage) and .300 Savage were the most popular cartridge offerings during their time, the rise of the .308 Win eventually killed the .300 Savage, and other modern cartridges like the .243 Win., 7mm-08 Rem., and even the .284 Win. took the spotlight among others.

savage 99

Heck of A Run

Almost a century later, Savage discontinued the M99 due to company struggles and increased costs to make the rifle. But that wasn’t before Savage produced over a million of their famed lever actions in various model numbers, renditions, and cartridge offerings.

For instance, if you were to stumble across one in a pawn shop today, it might be a carbine model with a straight stock, or it could be a sporter with a pistol grip. Savage made takedown models of the M99, one of which includes a .410 barrel. Earlier models don’t have scope mounts. Later ones do. The same goes for the traditional lever locking safeties and the later version, which featured a tang safety. Savage even produced a run of M99s that had detachable box magazines as a way to reduce costs. There are so many iterations of this rifle available that you’d have a tough time coming across two that were exactly the same.

My boss at the time gave me a steal on that rifle. Now, you’ll likely pay north of a grand for a M99 depending on the condition and model. Though, the $800 range seems to be the average. For most folks, that’s a lot of cash to spend on a rifle that begs to be carried in the woods.

Immortalization

You can’t buy a new M99 like you can the Ruger-made Marlin 336, but there’s something about the M99 being discontinued that adds to its appeal. I make it a point to still-hunt with my M99 at least once every season. It’s a blast to carry and shoot, and I still can’t bring myself to swap the Williams’ peep sight for a scope.

I’ll admit that nostalgia plays a huge role in my love for the Savage 99. But that doesn’t change the fact that its century-old design remains relevant and effective today. I wouldn’t bet on the M99 making a comeback, but as long as there are used ones floating around, it isn’t going anywhere anytime soon.