Any plans for a new rifle in 2025?

[JD338]

I just picked up a 1957 version of a Savage 99 in .308. Planning on sending it off in the next couple weeks to get rebored and rechambered to a .338 Federal. This should complete my 99 "itch", leaving me with 3. One as a 6mm Creedmoor, one in i's original state as .308, and one in 338 Federal.

Congratulations on your recent acquisition. The 338 Federal is a good match for the 99. You might want to consider adding another m99 chambered in 300 Savage.

JD338

 

[maverick2]

Congratulations on your recent acquisition. The 338 Federal is a good match for the 99. You might want to consider adding another m99 chambered in 300 Savage.

JD338

A good condition 300 Savage would be a lot easier to find than the .308 was. The 300 Savage showed up everywhere when I started looking, but .308's in nice shape were few and far between.

 

[SJB358]

That 338 Fed would be cool as heck on a 99!

 

[maverick2]

That 338 Fed would be cool as heck on a 99!

My plan for quite some time was to find a 99 in 358 (or change a 308 into the 358) and the closer this plan came to happening, and the more I learned about the 338 Federal, my plan evolved a bit. I don't need either, but I think the 338 is maybe a little more versatile and will give me a few more options as I play with it.

 

[SJB358]

I doubt you’ll hate it. Great cartridge in my opinion.

 

[GregoryB.]

My plan for quite some time was to find a 99 in 358 (or change a 308 into the 358) and the closer this plan came to happening, and the more I learned about the 338 Federal, my plan evolved a bit. I don't need either, but I think the 338 is maybe a little more versatile and will give me a few more options as I play with it.

Who is doing your Re-bore ? I was thinking of having JES do a 77 RSI in 308 to 338 Federal for me.

 

[maverick2]

Who is doing your Re-bore ? I was thinking of having JES do a 77 RSI in 308 to 338 Federal for me.

JES will do the re-bore

 

[SJB358]

JES has done great by me!

 

[Blkram]

My plan for quite some time was to find a 99 in 358 (or change a 308 into the 358) and the closer this plan came to happening, and the more I learned about the 338 Federal, my plan evolved a bit. I don't need either, but I think the 338 is maybe a little more versatile and will give me a few more options as I play with it.

As much as I love my 358 Wins, the 338 Federal definitely has some advantages over the 358. (I have bolts and levers in both chamberings.)
Better velocities, for flatter trajectories, and better retained energy a little further out there.

 

[Slimfinn]

So what do you have on your wish list in 2025 anything?
I can say i started the year telling myself I dont 'need' anything so I'm going to try not to buy any, but that doesn't stop me from looking and there are a handfull that if i come across the right deal it might be hard to turn it down. Some on that list
357, 41, 500 lever guns
357 case hardened single action
25-06 light weight hunting rifle
260 heavy barrel
243 maybe an old sako
That's whats on my mind now, be interesting to see what changes by the end of the year.
What are yours?

well less than 8 hours and I can say I held my word and didn't buy any new firearms this year, I am getting an itch so we will see how long it lasts into 2026.

Hope everyone has a happy and safe New Years!!!

 

[Blkram]

I had always wished for a LH Ruger 10/22, and had even said if they ever built one, I would buy one.
After they finally introduced one (Custom Shop Competition Model), I wanted one, but had other priorities...
So long story short, l I finally found one at a price I couldn't refuse 3 weeks ago, and it showed up today!
And it came with a couple extra magazines!
I have Leupold Rimfire 2-7 that I will be mounting on it.
Will have to see what ammo it likes!

 

[Slimfinn]

I had always wished for a LH Ruger 10/22, and had even said if they ever built one, I would buy one.
After they finally introduced one (Custom Shop Competition Model), I wanted one, but had other priorities...
So long story short, l I finally found one at a price I couldn't refuse 3 weeks ago, and it showed up today!
And it came with a couple extra magazines!
I have Leupold Rimfire 2-7 that I will be mounting on it.
Will have to see what ammo it likes!

Timing was right, they first introduced them just before my oldest(lefty) turned 16, guess what she got for her birthday haha

 

[Blkram]

I just picked up a 1957 version of a Savage 99 in .308. Planning on sending it off in the next couple weeks to get rebored and rechambered to a .338 Federal. This should complete my 99 "itch", leaving me with 3. One as a 6mm Creedmoor, one in i's original state as .308, and one in 338 Federal.

Nice to see someone else having fun with lever actions!
Look forward to seeing the 338 Federal once done!
Here's a pic of my Winchester Model 88 rebarreled to 338 Federal:
And the 7mm-08
And the 250 Savage!

 

[Blkram]

My plan for quite some time was to find a 99 in 358 (or change a 308 into the 358) and the closer this plan came to happening, and the more I learned about the 338 Federal, my plan evolved a bit. I don't need either, but I think the 338 is maybe a little more versatile and will give me a few more options as I play with it.

Recently saw a Model 99 in 358 Win posted here in Canada...but it was pretty pricey! First I had seen in about 30 years of watching for one!
Still, it didn't stay listed for long, even though it was a user's rifle, and not a collector piece given its current condition.

 

[Ralt71]

Nice to see someone else having fun with lever actions!
Look forward to seeing the 338 Federal once done!
Here's a pic of my Winchester Model 88 rebarreled to 338 Federal:View attachment 28336
And the 7mm-08View attachment 28337
And the 250 Savage!
View attachment 28338

Beautiful guns! I have a couple model 88's myself both pre 64 and post 64 like yours. While I understand and love the appeal of the pre, the leaf's and art work in the wood on the post is really nice!

 

[JD338]

Gil,
Those m88's are sweet! Very nice collection for sure.

JD338

 

[Blkram]

Beautiful guns! I have a couple model 88's myself both pre 64 and post 64 like yours. While I understand and love the appeal of the pre, the leaf's and art work in the wood on the post is really nice!

Many do not like the pressed pattern of the post-64 Model 88s; I don't mind it.
Although the reasoning for my sticking to the post-64 versions, is that they have the "improved" trigger mechanisms.
Rogue River Rifles (when they were still in Paso Robles, and worked on the rifles that Craig Boddington wrote about in the 90's) had recommended versions of 1967 and later, as they had the next version of the "improved" trigger, and were easier to improve upon with some tweaking.
I had finally found some literature on the work that Joe Balickie did on the triggers of John Wooters' and his wife's Model 88's, and even talked with the master gunsmith on a couple of occasions. We performed these tweaks on the trigger mechanism of the 250 Savage, and it turned out awesome. It will produce groups of 0.209" at 100 yards with HSM's 100 gr SGK ammo!
I do plan on having the same work done on the 7mm-08 and 338 Federal too.