KVN, Thanks for not telling them why I can't imagine making a beautiful custom rifle from a Savage 99, and how you disagree with me.
I will snap a few pix in a few days when the rifle is finished bluing and reassembled.

Ed Webber told me about his Dad getting a brand-new 99, .243 when he was a boy and relegating the old and worn .250 Savage to Ed. It wasn't until many years later that he realized he got the best part of that deal. Both were considered OK elk cartridges in those days. (I believe a .243 is still elk legal in MT?)
Time to boilncard...