J.C. Higgins Model 50

[Metapotent]

My Grandpa passed away about a year ago, and he had signed over his J.C. Higgins Model 50 rifle in .30-06 to me in his will. I just finally got it and some other items shipped to me from my Grandma and I have to say the gun is sweet. It seems to be in excellent condition, the wooden stock is flawless, the barrel is flawless, and the bore and action is chrome, shiny and just perfect. My dad tells me that my grandpa was obessed with making sure he had clean guns (probably due to his military experience in the Korean War).

It has decent iron sights so I took it to the range and was able to get 2 inch groups at 50yds with the old soft point ammo that I received in the will also. This is quite impressive with all things considered, the rifle is 50 years old, the ammo was 30 years old, I was using iron sights and was shooting with only 1 large bean-bag under the forestock and nothing under the butt.

Now, I have other rifles but I would like to put a scope on it so I can kill some deer with the same rifle that both my Grandpa and my dad used to kill deer.

The gun comes with scope-ring mounts but I'm not sure what rings will fit it.

Does anyone know what I need to put a scope on this J.C. Higgis Model 50?

Also, does anybody know what the rate of twist on the 22inch barrel is?

Your assistance would be appreciated.

 

[Odessa]

Are you sure it isn't a Sears Model 53? From your description it sounds like the Sears rifles from the mid-1960's which were essentially Winchester Model 70's in the push-feed design. If so a 22" barrel with a 1 in 10" twist for a 30-06 would be correct. If the rifle is based on the WIN M70 then you would use the standard Redfield, Weaver, or Leupold mounts made for a post-64 WIN Model 70. Odessa

 

[Chawbaccer]

The JC HIgigns 50 and 51 are Belgium Mausers, a very good gun. One of those two has the detachable floor plate, watch you don't loose it. I sometimes hunt with an older gentleman who has a 50 in 30-06, we spent most of an afternoon tramping the woods looking for his floorplate.
Run a tight patch down the bore and see how many times the rod turns in a foot. That'l give you your twist rate.

 

[Metapotent]

Are you sure it isn't a Sears Model 53? From your description it sounds like the Sears rifles from the mid-1960's which were essentially Winchester Model 70's in the push-feed design. If so a 22" barrel with a 1 in 10" twist for a 30-06 would be correct. If the rifle is based on the WIN M70 then you would use the standard Redfield, Weaver, or Leupold mounts made for a post-64 WIN Model 70. Odessa

I am positive it is a J.C. Higgins Model 50, which is really a Fabrique Nationale rifle. I learned that Sears and Roebuck sold guns that were really made by other companies (FN, Winchester etc) then they relabled them and gave them the name of their own company or subsidiary (J.C. Higgins) and acted as a distributor for the actual manufacturer.

Also, it has a Mauser 98 action as well so I'm sure its the FN. So Chawbaccer is correct.

Now, I have no clue what kind of mounts it has and my rifles and equipment are at my parents house so I have no point of reference as I have never personally mounted and bore-sighted the scopes on any of my rifles.

Is there anybody who is familiar enough with the model 50 to know what kind of mounts it has?

I need to get things moving because I'm going on Safari in Namibia in 2 days and I want the gun to be ready so that when I come back I can go hunting that very day with my friend. (I'm not planning on taking the model 50 on safari just to inform you, I already shipped a .30-06 and a .375 H&H a week ago).

 

[Chawbaccer]

Numrich as a Weaver style base listed for your gun, but I doubt you will have it in two days.

 

[Jim Watson]

J.C.H. M50 is a FN Mauser action with a High Standard barrel in a Bishop or Fajen stock. I don't know who assembled them for Sears but they seem to have done a good job.

You say it has "scope-ring mounts" by which I assume you mean scope bases. There were several brands available when the gun was made and they are not interchangeable. Put up a picture and someone will tell you which rings to buy. Or leave it with a knowledgeable friend to set up while you are gone.

Rifling twist is almost certainly ten inches, remotely posible 12; either is fine for any hunting .30-06 load.

 

[natman]

The J.C. Higgins Model 50 uses a FN Belgian Mauser action and a chrome lined barrel made by High Standard. I don't know the twist but I can tell you from experience my 30-06 shoots bullets from 150 to 220 grains very accurately.

It has an unusual trigger in that the trigger mechanism is in the trigger guard and the sear is on the action. Use great restraint if you decide to stone the trigger surfaces; if you remove just a tiny amount of material, the trigger geometry is such that the cocking piece will move forward enough to make it difficult to engage the safety. This condition is fixable, but is better avoided.

I can't tell what scope bases you have now, but standard Mauser bases will fit. You will need a 30-06 length scope or extension bases if you use a shorter scope.

The FN commercial Mauser action is one of the finest rifle actions ever made. The barrel is uncommonly accurate and resists corrosion. They are terrific guns.

 

[H2oskier]

My uncle has a J. C. Higgins that he has bought from Sears. It is a .30-06. I would like to buy it from him to keep it in the family. Can anyone tell me what a fair price might be. My uncle has cleaned the gun twice a year and it has not been used in 30 plus years. The gun s in perfect condition. I would say that i was the last person to use it before I got my Marlin 30-30. I would think it was bought late 50's or early 60's I was 12 at my first whitetail hunt in 1969

 

[BADUNAME7]

Here is a photo of a Sears, Roebuck & Co. J. C. Higgins brand Model 50. High Standard manufactured this rifle for Sears using a FN action ( made in Belgium). High Standard manufactured most of the rest of the parts and assembled the rifle. The molded butt plate and grip cap were not manufactured by High Standard These rifles featured chromed bores. The model 50 was introduced about 1951 in .30-06 and .270 Win. Sears also sold barreled actions from this model. The Sears Model 51 was the evolutionary successor to the Model 50 in 1955. The Model 51 also used the FN manufactured Mauser action. In 1959, Sears brought out the Model 51L which was a similar rifle but used a HVA manufactured action. The Model 51L was offered in .30-06, .308, .270, and .243. Sears also offered a model 52 which High Standard built in .222 using a SAKO action. About 1963 Sears went to the model 53 which was a variant of the Winchester model 70 . After Sears dropped the centerfire rifles from High Standard, High Standard sold someof these rifles using the High Stadnard brand marking. I suspect this was to use up existing stock left over from when Sears dropped the High Standard center fire line.

Rifling was 4 groove Right hand 1 in ten twist

 

[surfinUSA]

You have been fortunate enough to inherit one of the finest hunting rifles ever assembled. Thank God that they were sold and marked as Sears. Consequently, if you are lucky enough to find one for sale, they usually go for a very reasonable price.

Take a look at what commercial FN mausers from that time period go for and you'll know what I mean (and they don't have the chrome lined bore).

The 30-06 will do everything you need done in a hunting rifle. Don't let you friends talk you into getting rid of "that old Sears rifle"

 

[learningman]

I have a JC Higgins model 50 in 270 win. I just put a new scope on it and my rings are of the Weaver varity. It is an FN action and my gun has a metal detachable floor plate as well. My Dad gave it to me on my 16th B-Day and its been a great gun since. Its also made for some interesting conversations over the years. Good luck and happy hunting.

 

[drills]

I have a model 50 in 30-06 that was my grandfathers deer rifle and now mine!But knowing how and what it is, I would pay up to $800 for the same in perfect cond. By my hand it has seen thousands of factory and reloads! It groups today like it did when I received it and I believe it will when my son gets it. oh weaver 45/46

 

[AgentOrange]

actually, i own a jc higgins model 52. i spoke to a firearms historian extensively on it, and he told me that all of the model 52 jc higgins were NOT built by high standard or jc higgins, but built by sake themselves. the only difference is that they,under contract installed different contour barrels on then, and stocks to match the contors of the barrels. he said that while the 52 was a great hit and in high demand, they stopped importing them from sako because it quickly grew to be cost prohibitive to do so.


my sako action 52 222 is for sale right now for $500 with extra magazine ( hard to find, if not impossible) as i am sick and need the money

 

[Burke]

I have a Model 50 with a Leupold scope on it, but I don't know what kind of rings I have. But the safety works fine without any modifications.

I might add that with handloads, I shot 3 shot groups with minute of angle accuracy.

I was told by a knowledgeable friend to not let anyone talk me into changing the High Standard barrell, which, he said is super. Seems to me that he was right.

 

[natman]

Just came across a picture from a Model 50 owner's manual:



So it would seem the rate of twist is 1 in 10.

 

[Jubjub]

I have a pdf of the owner's manual, but it's too large a file to post here. If you'd like to PM me your email, I'll send it.

 

[felix-too]

"Jub" - I've sent you a PM requesting a copy of the manual. Thanks, felix-too

 

[burros90]

I do have a CJ Higgins M50 30-06 desperately needs a new stock, I got it from some one few years ago and its been just great gun to hunt with, since a got it the stock was damaged, but this past season I fall and hit it with a rock, I'm trying to find where to get it, if there some one that can shed some light will be greatly appreciated.
Burros90

 

[MMCSRET]

A Ramline synthetic will work. Its not the best looking or fitting, but it will work for you. I have a Model 50 and the dressed up Model 51 and I tried synthetic stocks just because I wanted to know. Not great but serviceable. I found a Model 50 stock in a gun smith shop. It had been taken off and the action salvaged for a custom rifle. People want that FN action for custom guns. I think I paid $40.00 for the Model 50 take off stock.

 

[burros90]

MMCSRET,
Thanks a lot for the info, I'll try to find it to see if it works for my gun.

 

[misquomacus]

I have a J.C. Higgins(made for Sears) Model 51-L .308 Winchester with swedish HVA action.The numbers on the barrel are 583.5102. I would like to put a synthetic stock on it. Does anyone know where I might find a stock to fit it?

 

[MMCSRET]

Your best bet is to get the customer service # and/or email for which ever stock maker interests you and make contact with all the data off your rifle and then consider their recommendations. It may take a while to gather all the options to be considered but it would be worth it in the long run. You just can't hurry something like this.

 

[misquomacus]

Hornaday superformance ammo

Anybody use the new Hornady superformance ammo in .308 cal. The specs the company has put out call for a muzzle vel. of 3000fps and a true zero of 200yds. I would like to know how they perform. I have a .308 winchester with a 1 in 12 twist.

 

[natman]

If you are planning to restock a Model 50, be aware that because of the two piece trigger, the dimensions of the stock are crucial to safety. You may need to replace the trigger with a Timney or similar.

You should be able to find a Model 50 stock. I have seen a few rebarreled 50s - it always struck me as an exercise in futility. You spend hundreds of dollars and you will be lucky if the new barrel shoots as well as the old.

 

[sftbllwz]

not sure what this is?

Trying to get some help in figuring out what bolt action this is...and any other information someone could provide.

This weapon only has these three markings
1. Williams on the site.
2. 29004 on the side of the barrel...which I know is for the 30-06 ammo
3. 30-06.

That is it...I don't want to tear the stock down just to find out what model this is and what action. Also, trying to figure out if this is supposed to be magazine fed.

thanks Todd