Ah, Mr gsxrman, I get what you say. I really do. The 80 is such an icon. Big, bold and muscular with that bombproof image and tough demeanour. I have three myself......two "standard Venom tuned" standard rifles and a 25mm Lazaglided Bullpup. All lovely and all keepers.
But, although lighter, I don't feel the 99 gives anything away in solid build terms. It's a tough little thing and can be interpreted as pretty much a "utilitarian, lightweight tool" or as a customised beauty once fettled and embellished. The firing cycle is a revelation, even as standard. You're expecting this fuller powered, lightweight rifle to be more than a little lively on discharge whereas quite the opposite is true. I exaggerate not when I state that, to me, my first shot with my 99 was akin to my first with a 77. Many people can shoot a 99 more accurately than they can an 80 and it's certainly a better proposition for handling in many hunting scenarios.
Its only black mark is the potential for "galling". But not all of them do it. And for those that do, it's an easy fix. I have recommended them to a fair few new shooters over the last few years and they're all over the moon with them. Without exception. And I'll continue to recommend this pocket sized, sweet shooting little classic of our times.
A HW99 in .177 or .22 and a pocket full of Field Target Trophy = pure, clean simple fun.