426: The Savage Model 99-The Thinking Man's Deer Rifle with Bryce Towsley
The Savage Model 99 wasn't just a lever-action rifle—it was a technological leap ahead of its time, designed for serious hunters who valued performance over tradition. Bryce Towsley, a lifelong firearms enthusiast and Savage 99 aficionado, reveals that the rifle's true legacy lies in its revolutionary rotary box magazine and internal hammer mechanism, which allowed for higher-pressure smokeless cartridges like the 300 Savage—then equal to the 30-06 in power. This made the 99 the 'Thinking Man's Deer Rifle,' favored by northern hunters who needed reliability in thick woods and the ability to use pointed bullets. Despite being overshadowed by the Winchester 94 and later killed off by the .308 Winchester, the 300 Savage remains the Model 99’s best-selling cartridge and a direct ancestor to modern military and civilian rounds. Towsley argues the rifle’s decline wasn’t due to poor design, but corporate disinterest—gun companies today lack the passion of founders like Bill Ruger or Ron Colburn. He believes the 99 could be revived with modern CNC manufacturing, but only if a passionate independent company takes the risk. The episode ends with a personal story of a failed deer hunt in the Deep South, a reminder that even the most iconic rifles can’t overcome bad luck—or Towsley’s infamous 'luck.' The episode isn’t just a history lesson—it’s a love letter to a rifle that dared to be different. Towsley’s deep knowledge and dry humor make the 99 feel alive, not just a museum piece.
The 300 Savage was the first cartridge to match the 30-06 in power in a lever-action rifle, making the Savage 99 a 'Thinking Man's Deer Rifle' for serious northern hunters.
The Savage 99’s rotary box magazine allowed for pointed bullets and higher pressures, eliminating the safety risks of tubular magazines and enabling modern ballistics.
The 300 Savage was the direct inspiration for the .308 Winchester, though it was abandoned due to slightly smaller case capacity and the rise of bolt-action rifles.
Despite being discontinued in the late 1990s, the 99’s design could be revived today using CNC machining—modern tech could make it affordable and accurate again.
The best 99s were made pre-World War II and immediately after, when craftsmanship and pride in American manufacturing were at their peak.
…and 3 more takeaways available in PodZeus
The Birth of the 300 Savage and the 99's Early Success
The 300 Savage was developed to match the 30-06 in power, making the Savage 99 a high-performance lever-action rifle at a time when most were limited by black powder. Its compact, high-velocity design made it a hit with serious hunters.
The Savage 99's Revolutionary Design: Rotary Magazine and Internal Hammer
“It's a completely different design and it just looks completely different from what most people think of when they think of a lever action rifle.”
The 300 Savage: The Parent Cartridge of the .308 Winchester
“The .308 is a slightly larger cartridge that was also higher performing, right? So I mean, that same federal stuff I was talking about, say in the PowerShock line, 150 grain .308 is doing 2820 feet per second versus what did I say? 2630.”
Why the 99 Was the 'Thinking Man's Deer Rifle'
The 99 appealed to hunters who wanted more power and precision than the 30-30 offered, especially in thick northern woods where tracking and quick follow-up shots were critical.
The Decline of the 99: From Market Leader to Forgotten Icon
The 99’s popularity waned after the .308 Winchester’s release, which outperformed it and became the standard. By the 1960s, new hunters avoided the 300 Savage, though it remained a favorite among collectors.
“And the .308 is a slightly larger cartridge that was also higher performing, right? So I mean, that same federal stuff I was talking about, say in the PowerShock line, 150 grain .308 is doing 2820 feet per second versus what did I say? 2630.”
“I think the one hope is if some independent company bought the rights to it and brought the gun back. Then maybe that could happen.”
“So the guns got re -bored or stuck in a closet somewhere. completely different design and it just looks completely different from what most people think of when they think of a lever action rifle.”
Host
Guest
Savage Model 99
product
300 Savage
product
Bryce Towsley
person
308 Winchester
product
Barnes bullet
product
Ron Colburn
person
John McAdams
person
375 H&H
product
Trophy Hunter
book
Bill Ruger
person
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