After spending time sharing a deer rifle with my dad, it is time for me to look into a few deer rifle for myself. I will be hunting primarily in the Hill Country and also in the Freer area. I had an uncle make a suggestion that if i could find a lever action Savage, put Leupold mounts and a good scope that it would be one of the best guns i could ever shoot. What i am wondering is if i should go with something like the Savage 99 and if so, what caliber should i be looking for? Also, would something like the Tikka T3 be a better choice? Just looking for suggestions and feedback on what i was told. I usually shoot a .270 and it is what i am used to. Thanks for any feedback!!!

The Savage 99's are a cool old gun, and have taken many thousands of deer. Not a bad choice for a hill country rifle. The vast majority of them were chambered in .300 Savage. It's not a bad round, but it's not optimal either. If you can find a model 99 in .308 or .243 (not a lot were produced, but they exist) you'd be better off ballistics wise.

If you're looking for a modern bolt rifle... the Tikka T3 is a very nice way to go. But you could also look at Remington model 700's and Savage Model 10/11 and get similar performance at less cost.

Tikka is the best rifle out there for the money. Since the Remington trigger problem recalls I am leery of Remington 700's. There have been safety problems with the Remington triggers for years and the new trigger was supposed to take care of that, BUT now there are safety problems with the new trigger and a big recall. There is nothing wrong with the Remington action or barrel. In fact for out of box accuracy they rank right up there with the Tikka. I have a Remington 700 in 30-06 that I love but it has been recalled. Rather than go through the hassle of sending it to Remington to get the trigger fixed, maybe, I dropped a Timney replacement trigger in it that I know is safe.

If you like lever action, check out the Marlin 308 Express.
I've been killing hill country deer with mine for years.

The 270 (or 25/06) is pretty hard to beat for a combination hill country/ south texas deer rifle. Since that's what you are used to, my advice would be to go to a local gun shop and ask to handle several different brands of 270's. Pick the one the feels best and fits your pocketbook.

The M99 is cool, and I enjoy taking mine out when conditions are right. But a modern bolt makes a better choice for an everyday deer rifle, IMO.

The Savage 99's are cool guns (I have one) but they can vary widely in the accuracy department.

Me personally, I'd recommend investing in a bolt action (of which there are many good models available) if you're looking for one go-to rifle.

If you can find a good deal on a 99, get one. I love mine, but it's been relegated to safe. But you can find a more accurate gun for less money. Savage 110/111 would e a good choice, as well as a ruger American. What is your budget?

i shoot deer with either a
12 gauge slug
Marlin leveraction .35 remington
or my 7.62x39 SKS

Guessing you're not hunting south Texas senderos.

rem 700 300 win mag

Savage model 99's are common finds at gun shows here in Houston area - I have shot several in my life and own 2 a 300 savage and a 250 savage all have been very accurate shooters.

There is very little ballistic difference between a 300 savage and a .308 as the 300 savage is the parent case to the .308 and grandparent case to the .243 and 7mm-08.

They are best under 175 yards and great at 100 yards...

if you can find a savage 99 EG model in .300 savage for around $500 get it - will not regret it in the future...

look for 99's with less than 900,000 SS#'s after a million quality faded...

academy, bass pro and Cabela's sell 300 savage 150 gr ammo - it's in stock most often

250 savage you would need to reload...

in some cases once the .308 and .243 and other modern calibers where starting to be made - the quality of the fire arms started to fade - the quality rifle made in those caliber are highly sought after and more expensive.

Your uncle is right they would make great deer rifle and are a pleasure to carry and shoot !

I've got a 99f in 250 savage with a 1,1xx,xxx serial. It's a great shooter, but I don't reload, so I don't shoot it.

Skip the Leupold mounts. Go with the Burris XTR mounts. MUCH better mounts for about the same price.

For your first and "main rifle" and a "do it all gun" go with a quality bolt action. The Tikka in something like 270 is a good choice. Look at purchasing one of the good old classics down the road a ways, its always nice to have an "old timer" in the collection. Just my

Thanks for all yalls feedback! In regards to price range, it really depends on the gun and the optics to put on it. I would like to keep under $1000 total, though it the gun or optics is too good a deal to pass up, i could splurge a bit more. I would also prefer to get one with a wooden stock rather than the synthetic/plastic ones. There is just something about those wooden built guns. They feel better and seem to be able to gain more and more character the longer you own it.

7mm-08 will do the job well

Tikka 7mm-08

250 ammo is available somewhat, look for a Savage 99R early 50's,(you can not go wrong with the savage .300) it will be factory drilled & tapped, the R's are know for their accuracy, should be able to find one for around 600. if you need help pm me.
Ken

99 is cool. Browning BLR is a good lever. Tikka is good I am buying a 06 for my boy this year.

The Savage 99 in. .250/3000 would be a good choice.

Yep, I have the Browning BLR Lever Action in .270. Love it.

Howdy Polish!

Ron (Wiley Coyote) has exactly what you need:

http://www.texashuntingforum.com/forum/ubbthreads.php/ubb/showflat/Number/5124477/Searchpage/1/Main/417785/Words/tikka/Search/true/Re:_WTS_Tikka_T3_270_Win_SS/sy#Post5124477

He has forgotten more about rifles that I will ever know. He is one of the best posters on the forum and has that Tikka for sale. And when he says it's a shooter, it is!

Haven't seen a tikka yet that won't shoot well. Same can be said for the Winchester M70 being built by FN. In Leveractions the BLR is a good one, the ones I have tried are not up to the 2 bolts above in accuracy but certainly good enough for hunting at ranges most people should be shooting.

So, i just wanted to take a bit of time and thank you all for yalls advice. i ended up going to Nagels in San Antonio and looking at their selection of rifles. They had a bunch of the Savage lever actions in both .300 and in .308. I also got a chance to look at left handed rifles, as though i am right handed, i am left eye dominant. While in that section, i found a beautiful Winchester Model 70 in .270 that was too good to pass up. It also came with a Leupold scope. I may still head over there for one of those lever actions....they were some of the prettiest guns i had seen in a while. Gotta say, if you are looking for a gun in the SA area, Nagels on San Pedro probably has what you are looking for and stuff you didnt know you were looking for either. There was almost too much for me to look at and i didnt know where to start. Once again, thanks for all yalls help!!!

Glad you found one you're happy with. There is much pride no doubt that comes with adding a new firearm to your collection.