Rossi Rifleman

Things have been pretty quiet, so I’m posting photos of my latest lever project. It’s an early production (1961) of the modern design 99 with the tang safety. The project started with an almost free 243 barrel. Took about a year to find a basket case with no barrel. Local gunsmith mounted & headspaced the barrel, then found another smith to do the bluing. I took it all down to white metal, but I left the pitting as character. The stock is awaiting the last coats of BLO to cure.

Very nice! I appreciate my 300 & 308.

Thanks! My other 99 is an older EG in 300 Savage. There’s a lot to like about that cartridge.

We have a 99 made in 51 in the 300. It is a pleasure to carry it about through the woods and river bottoms.

All done. Boyd’s laminated stock, because 99 stocks have a propensity for cracking and I didn’t want to drill cross holes or cut down the length of a good vintage butt stock. I reduced the LOP by 2 inches, but have two one inch spacers with butt plates to make it adjustable. The forend is one of the budget birch type, so I didn’t feel so bad about drilling that. I struggled with dye to match the butt, as you can see.

That turned out well. A modern rendering of a classic design.

Ought to be swell for coyotes, javelina and deer in your region.

The .243 Win. is a superb round, no secrets to it at all anymore. The quarter-incher should be accurate at long range.

Well... that's different, but I like it!

Very nice.

Reminds me I need to get on my .243 AR project.
I had it about half assembled and decided the barrel was too blame heavy. I've got a 20" 3 lb 'bull' contour that's at least 2lbs lighter than the 5+ lb barrel I had on hand.

Good looking 99 ! Will make a fine Yote rifle !