Siskiyou said:
SavageT and others:
The M99 been around for a long time. Over time has the heat treatment or metal in the M99 been changed to handle higher pressure ammuntion. In later years the rounds loaded have created more pressure. A few of the rounds I believe loaded in the M99 are .25-35 Win., .22 HP, .303 Savage, 250-3000, .300 Sav., .308 Win., .358 Win., .284 Win. There is a big pressure jump between the .303 Savage and the .284 Winchester.
The big question is, are the rifles that chamber the .308 Win. and the .284 Win. stronger.
Siskiyou
In Doug Murray's Book "The Ninty-Nine" he quotes the Model 1899 .250-3000 Savage Rifle Catalog:
"The actual killing power of the .250-3000's 87-grain .25 caliber soft-nosed Spitzer bullet, driven at 3000 feet per second and with a theoretical energy of 1739 ft.-lbs., is proving equal to any possible requirements of the American big game hunter."
"Since this rifle came out in 1914 it has killed specimens of nearly every big dangerous game animal in the world. In America, it has killed Alaskan brown bear, polar bear, grizzly, moose, elk and caribou. In Asia, it has killed tiger and wild boar, and in Africa it has killed leopard, lion, rhino, hippo, buffalo, and elephant."
"The original Savage solid breech, so widely copied, insures absolute safety, and the locking of the entire rear end of the breech bolt against the solid metal of the receiver affords a tremendous margin of strength and the greatest durability, even with the pressures of the most modern cartridges of the highest concentration."
MAJOR CHANGES
A) 1954, serial number 900,000, a longer magazine carrier was adopted to accomodate the rimless .308, .243, & ,358 cartridges introduced in 1955-56.
B) 1960 Lever/Trigger lock safety changed to sliding safety on top tang. The lever & trigger can't be "slip-closed" to leave the gun uncocked, with the new trigger-sear design (w/gold trigger). 1971- Trigger changed back to blued finish.
At serial number 1,000,000 Drilled and Tapped for scope, not for tang sight.
C) 1965, Model 99-C Clip Magazine introduced. The first change to 99 frame in 66 years of production.
D) 1985- The Last Model 99 Lever Action Offered.
I hope I answered your question....The gun metallurgy remained, as near as I can tell, unchanged since its inception till the day they turned out the lights and shut down the line. Hey, all you big-bore hunters...Wanna find a Savage 99- .250-3000 before your next trip to Alaska?