JC Higgins Model 50 dressed by Boyd's - Pics Added

NL-Hunter

NL-Hunter

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Started a thread about this rifle looking for info a couple of months ago. Sighted it in and was found to be incredibly accurate for a 60 + year old rifle.

As purchased:


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Decided to dress it up and use it for my go to hunting rifle. First stop was Boyd's for a Thumbhole Stock in Royal Jacaranda and a beefier recoil pad ala Pachmaier 1 Inch.

Next I started searching for a trigger as the original two-piece did not fit the stock. Inletting was not an option as it would remove too much material near the trigger guard and compromise the strenght of the stock. Found a fellow GN Member that was parting out a project not finished and secured a Bold trigger by Boyd's. Forgot to order when I ordered the stock, shipping alone for the trigger would have been more than the cost of the trigger. Flat rate :(

Decided to use the bottom metal from the Churchill Mauser as the front was longer and fit better in the stock, some minor inletting was required as the floorplate is hinged. Some minor inletting was also required to square off the recoil recess to fit the wider recoil lug. Last inletting was for the bolt which is not inletted from Boyd's - was duly noted on website order page.

Then came the messiest part of the job - fitting the recoil pad to the stock. Only tool I had available was a Dremel, worked very well on both wood and rubber, but WHAT A MESS OF RUBBER LEFT BEHIND... Needless to say i am still blowing black outta me nose...

Finished project below, hope you enjoy. First project rifle, maybe not as much finess as some I have enjoyed on this site, but I am pleased as punch.

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Decided to leave lots of meat left on the recoil pad, so sanded it wider than stock profile to provide cushion against my bony shoulders...
 
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Looks very nice, well done. I am usually not much for laminated stocks but that colour is nice. Back in the days when I was refinishing stocks and installing recoil pads on a regular basis I used to buy the plastic sanding disc holders for an electric drill from Canadian Tire along with some 80 grit discs. There cheap and get the job done. Wrapped two thicknesses of masking tape on the wood and when you ground the pad down to hit the first layer of tape, you stopped. You still had rubber dust all over the place, so I hear you on that one, but it may be quicker than a Dremel or Foredom .
 
Sorry, but I much prefer the original stock over a laminated thumb hole, esp for a classic gun like that.

Best to keep the original stock as you will probably get tired of that Boyds pretty quick.
 
SuperCub said:
Sorry, but I much prefer the original stock over a laminated thumb hole, esp for a classic gun like that.

Best to keep the original stock as you will probably get tired of that Boyds pretty quick.
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Was originaly going to order the Heritage hunter but not in stock for my chosen color, the original stock has the usual cracks and cannot accomodate a better trigger like Timney or Bold.
Cheek piece is also lower, bad weld when using a scope.

Like it so far... Time will tell.
 
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nw mb said:
...superb! ...calibre? ...original mfger?
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Caliber is .30-06. Manufactured by FNH (Action) and High Standard (Chrome Lined Barrel) - not sure of stock - for Sears/Roebuck in early fifties. Oddball as far as M98's go.
Different Trigger/Stock inlet, Actual trigger piece is pinned to the trigger guard with almost like a sear built into it. Different Bottom Metal, Action Screw spacing is same but front "nose" is shorter. Different scope bases (screwholes has same spacing front and rear, hard to find).
 
A J.C. Higgins Model 50 is a FN made commercial 98 Mauser action and 22 inch chrome lined barrel from High Standard.
J.C. Higgins was supposedly a 'wheel' at Sears. Not a smithy or a manufacturer.
 
I don't see why you would "get tired" of the Boyd's stock... I have a whack of them... the FT and VT designs fit me perfectly... and the jacaranda colour is very pleasing without being gaudy... I have two or three myself. It is nice now that Boyd's has custom colour options for all of their designs. I just did three in their black/brown laminate... and I did one that would make Super Cub choke on his porridge... a RVT in BLAZE... blaze orange and black laminate... it is going on a Ruger 77/17 HM2 build and will look particularly snazzy with my blaze vest when hunting squirrels and other sundry small game... ;)
 
Sorry. I'm with Supercub on this one.

I've seen several of those in original form and like 'em a lot as is.

Whatever floats your boat though. You like it and are proud of it so that's what counts.
 
You will notice with the thumbhole stock that you can sinch in the Butt for off hand and seated/kneeling shooting. The thumbhole will allow you better control under those conditions, however, it will compromize some time in rechambering a round under fire. A little bit slower than the sporter stock but not enough to concern you with where you practice. I like my boyds thumbhole in the 338wm for these reasons. Your stock is very nicely finished and should serve you well. Sure do like those higgies, I had the pleasure to work on one not long ago and they are keepers, very accurate and functional. Elky....
 
SuperCub said:
That's right! ..... who cares what I thunk? ;)
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I "thunk" differently... final answer... love the thumbholes everywhere except prone... but my knees are too bad for prone shooting... I can get down just fine, but gettin' up may or may not happen... and at my size, my partners are more likely to field dress and quarter me than help me up...
 
I really like those Boyds stocks! it gives the average rifle a tuxedo like facelift! I got one for my Ruger M77 tang safety as well.

25-06 Rem, 26" Tyndall/King stainless Barrel.
Boyds "Prairie Hunter" in the Nutmeg laminate color.
Boiled Linseed Oil rubbed finish.
Glass Bedded, and free floated barrel channel.







 
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