Have always been fascinated by the Savage 99-so when the opportunity presented itself...
The 250-3000 in the 99 had a 1 in 14 twist, and this was not changed until about 1960 with the name change to 250 Savage.
The earlier rifles required generally a lighter weight 87 gr or lighter bullet.
Always will favor the 1886-Model 71/Browning design Winchesters, but the 99 lends itself to
scope use in the field.

Anyone have a spare Lightfoot Mount?

I think there was one for sale on 24hourcampfire.com in the last couple of days. Check the classified.

And I was fascinated by the 250 Savage. I happened to end up with two Steyr-Mannlicher carbines in 22-250 so I had one rebored to 25 and chambered in 250 Savage. Was able to use the 22-250 magazine and ended up with a nice light deer rifle.

For decades, my idea of a light deer rifle was an NRA M-54 short rifle in 270 WCF.
I do have a 22 Hornet in another M-54, but that is a bit less than required even for the
AZ Coues deer.
One each of the above for a 348 M-71. a 270, and a 30 -40 1895: all early Winchesters.

Had a small Savage 1895 and 1899 collection years ago, and the .250-3000 chambered Savage 99's were one of my favorite cartridges! A wonderful deer or varmint cartridge that was very popular when first introduced and for years after. Younger folks don't even know what this cartridge is for the most part these days.
I still have a Savage 99 takedown built in 1930 in .250-3000 and another 1950 99EG in .250-3000 also.

Yeah, I have a soft spot for them too.

By the way, I'm the guy taking over the manufacture of the Lightfoot mount. Experiencing a few start-up hiccups, but getting close. 1916XE - PM me and I'll put you on the notification list for when things come together.

Just treated myself and enjoying David E. Royal’s Volume 2 , the one featuring engraved and special order Savage 1895, 1899 and 99 riles.

Already have his first Volume,,both are excellent.

Not sure if I have ever seen an engraved one this side of the pond, but it would be out of my price range if I did.

Just out of curiosity, what is the Lightfoot mount?

I have a NULA in 250-3000. It flies 90gr GMX bullets like lasers. The rifle is under 6 lbs scoped and it is very comfortable. Zaps deer and pronghorn. Wonderful cartridge!

I believe it allows mounting of a scope on the older guns that weren't factory D&T'd, without altering the gun.

Much improved from the Stith mount.

Correct.

One of the best rigs seen on an early Savage 99 decades ago was a G&H sidemount with
a Lyman Alaskan scope. Should have bought it.

We had our annual B.D.S. Stalker’s Shoot at Bisley at the British Sporting Rifle Club recently , and my 1949 example demonstrated that it can shoot well if I point it in the right direction.





Course of fire (B.S.R.C. Swedish Deer Test) is 6 Stop at the Wall Double Runs, with the deer emerging from cover at 100 meters to stand for the first shot, then running to the opposite end as the second shot is taken at the moving target.

Target has electronic scoring and a print-out is shown.

Shots 6 and 10 on the left hand outward runs I clearly checked my swing too soon. Shot 4 on the return run I got my lead right (front edge of the chest for the 5 ring to intercept the bullet with this cartridge) but otherwise lost the plot.

When I got it right the rifle worked well.

Nice realistic Swedish deer target test.

I have been developing some 100 gr Nosler Partitions, which it seems capable of stabilizing.
A Lyman Alaskan that I have would be nice to mount, in some fashion. The Sheard ft sight
with the 95 folding sporting Marbles rear is hard to give up with the folding original Lyman top tang aperture sight.

Most authorities including Frank Barnes put the 250-3000 ahead of the 30 WCF class of cartridges in the M 99.

Found the 100 grain Nosler Partitions had marginal stability in my 1899EG with a 1 in 14 inch twist. Groups tightened when I shortened them by cutting the bullet noses back to the front edge of the jacket.

They work fine in my later Model 99A (the model with a top safe and a 1 in 10 inch twist).

I have an old Handloader’s Digest that shows that, back in the day, Nosler made a rounder nosed .257” 100 grain Partition for the .250/3000.

'Most authorities including Frank Barnes put the 250-3000 ahead of the 30 WCF class of cartridges in the M 99.'

With todays 30 cal bullets in 120-130 gr weight the 30-30 is a pretty serious cartridge for a deer rifle. I a 99 it would be splendid if it could handle the pressures. Look at some contender data- pretty impressive.

I had a 99R from the early 1940's with a G&H sidemount and 1-4 Kollmorgan scope, pretty heavy rig.....sold it and now I use my 99Fin .358...

From white tails to moose in Alaska, the pre-war Winchester Model 71 is a treasure. Have owned and still own two (2) 450 Alaskans, a wildcat
on the 348 case. The 348 Ack Imp is also quite a cartridge, requiring only a re-chambering: it becomes a lever-action 35 Whelen as to ballistics.
But with newer bullets and powders, the .348 WCF has come full circle-and is a balanced rifle to hunt with, particularly in the north woods of the inter-mountain west, Canada and Alaska.

Probably my favorite lever action rifle, especially in bear country.

There are no flies on the 71 or the .348. But that rifle was often outfitted with a Lyman (?) aperture sight on the back of the bolt. I've seen one shoot loose repeatedly and have heard of others. Was there a work around for this?

I like the 1895 Marlin in .45-70 or -90, but they certainly never caught on for some reason.