Just purchased a Model 50 270 for fun and giggles to start a project. I paid $300 for it. Now what the hell do I do with it?

crl

Well that is pretty simple!! Spend until you drop. Don't set a budget because your imagination and the gunsmiths work never end. Never listen to others as realistic good advice never enters the mind of a custom rifle builder. File for divorce now before you start and save yourself the headache of some other guy shooting your prized possession. Lastly, build a rifle that kills at 10,000 yards and doesn't kick much. Good luck and may the forces of gunpowder in the morning lead you to victory.

Well, there are a couple of other options... ..you could (1) refinish the stock, maybe add a bit of tasteful checkering, and enjoy shooting a real classic or (2) sell it to me, so I could indulge in option (1).

Sometimes there is great joy to be found in leaving things just as they are. I'd take one of those over a pre-64 model 70 any day of the week.

quote:

Now what the hell do I do with it?

shoot it as is for a year....that's a very fine rifle and will treat you right.

Mine is in .30-06 and is as accurate as my M-70 in the same caliber.....these are truly fine guns.

Eventually you may decide that you need a 9.3 X 62 or a .35 whelen.

Let's see, purchase a nice blank for the restocking job, a three position safety, an aftermarket trigger, custom bottom metal, a slow rust blueing job, custom rings and bases, jewel the bolt, engrave the custom bottom metal, checker the stock, the list goes on and on and on........

quote:

Originally posted by crl: Now what the hell do I do with it?

crl

Send it to me. I am willing to take on this troublsome project so you won't have to worry about it anymore.

Good purchase, no finer action. I'd glass bed the barreled action, add an ebony forend tip, replace the plastic grip cap with a Fisher steel cap, maybe add an Old English pad for looks altho a 270 doesn't need one, refinish the stock, maybe have it checkered, get some high-quality scope mounts/rings, add your favorite scope, replace the trigger, go hunting.

I really like option 1. The stock has been shortened by some genius to about 12.5 inches LOP. I suppose for a kid. So I will be restocking and since I have to do that, I might as well go all the way and do a rebarrel. Dilema, what caliber. I have an 06, 300wsm, 375 H&H, 7mm-08, 338-06 in bolt guns. Maybe I need a ?????

crl

quote:

Maybe I need a ?????

6.5-06 comes to mind.....great deer and pronghorn cartridge.

I have one in 30-06. Have had it for awhile. Just looking at it to see what I would change, and it has finally come to me that the first thing I want to change is that ugly bolt handle.

I bought one from a friend on this forum. I get it next week. Plan to keep it as-is. I sorta like the retro appeal it has. He says it shoots good so why would I want to mess with it. That, and I don't currently have a .270.

Besides, I prefer the milsurp action for a custom build.

CRL,

I'd try it as-is, you may like it. If not, the sky's the limit.

IF you are thinking about staying with the .470" bolt face format and the standard length action cartridges, I am happy with a pair of rifles I built: a 6.5-'06 and a .280 Rem. The 6.5 has a sporter weight barrel, and the .280 has a heavier target contour. I use them depending on whether I am walking or sitting. You could do Ackley versions also.

With the premium bullets available and the powders to shoot them, I am down at the 120 grain bullets in both. These things are death rays operating in that format.

jim

I forgot to add, sell your take-off stock as a "Special Youth Stock".

jim

If North American "hoofed" animals are on the menu the .270 would give you some good bullets that fly flat and hit hard. On the other hand you can have the bolt opened up to .532" and chamber it into a .338 mag of course you would need to change the barrel. I have a Model 50 in original shape and very clean the chambering is upped and bolt face opened. Overall it is a very good rifle, simple but nice. Like so many mentioned you might want to enjoy the rifle as is.

or maybe a .358 Norma Mag- you are missing a .35 caliber

Shoot it before you pull the barrel. I was going to rebarrel the one I bought (30-06, with rings and mount, $80.00 out the door!). It shoots under an inch with the original barrel. I put it into an MPI fiberglass stock, changed the trigger to a Timney, and glass bead blasted the barreled action before hot bluing it. It made a very nice lightweight 30-06.

I disagree with the statement that there is no finer action, however. The FN won't touch a 1909 Argentine for craftsmanship or finish.

Clemson

Yeah, but the Argy should be re-heat treated for rounds like the .270 while the FN is superior in terms of steel/treatment from the factory. It all depends what is most important to you, I guess.

quote:

I disagree with the statement that there is no finer action, however. The FN won't touch a 1909 Argentine for craftsmanship or finish.

I'm not going to disagree with this statement at all...it's well said.

Having said that I'd trade 1909 Argies (DWM) for post war FNs even up every day of the week.

It won't look very pretty, but you could just put one of those slip on recoil pads to lengthen the stock and shoot it as is for a while. I had one in .270 that was cut down, and still have the stock, although the rifle has been restocked and the rifle rebarreled to 7x57 Mauser. The rebarrel was done because I already had a .270 on an F.I.E. FN Mauser and reloads from one would not fit the other, plus I had a strong desire for a 7x57.
My only gripe with the Higgins M50s is the stock feels like a pregnant club. Nothing that a little work with files and sandpaper won't cure.
Paul B.

quote:

disagree with the statement that there is no finer action, however. The FN won't touch a 1909 Argentine for craftsmanship or finish.

I think I jump into this one. 09 while highly desirable aren't perfect. The most desirable part of a 09 the bottom metal, has issues, minor I agree, but set a 09 bottom metal next to metal that Blackburn or Burgess make and you will see the difference. Its all little stuff but there none the less. On was a military ontract rifle and the other is full custom, not really a fair comparision I am aware.

I think also that you need to see some nicely built FN's with attention to detail. They want for nothing, if done properly. My current project will have the bottom metal changed most probably, I will dump the shotgun safety for a three position. When done, I could only be happier if I had a commercial banner mauser. In my mind that is the gold standard, best quality that mauser did, and was the flagship of their products.

I am in the infancy on this build and taking my time, I will post some pic's when I get it done, but don't hold your breath. its going to take a year or so, and I am being picky.

There is nothing wrong with 09's either, but they are what they are and your talking to a owner of a full custom one in a 30-338. They are the best of the military contract rifles. And that in itself is some of the problems, thumb cut, extra metal that needs surface grinding etc. They make nice rifles, I stillprefer commercial actions.

Not trying to hijack this thread but I just ran into a guy selling a FN Mauser sold years ago by Sears, says it is 80% blue and finish no rust or pitting. The thing looks identical to the JC Higgins Model 50 (which I think is an FN)
What are these worth either as a shooter or a donor?
Mine I may turn into a 257 roberts.

crl,

Congrats on a good deal. I would just use it like it is. High Standard made those rifles and the barrels are chrome lined. Just slip a pad on it or have a pad fitted and shoot it.

To be frank there are better rifles than that one and I would rather have them at a grand or so which is what they cost new.

By the time you get a new stock, trigger, safety and barrel you will be well over a grand. That's a H ring action by the way and not a C ring. I would not over react but just enjoy it as it is.

quote:

Snellstrom: What are these worth either as a shooter or a donor?

$250

I think you did real well !
My smith has a sears 270 in like new condition, and i think it could be had for about 450.00(to much to me) also another smith i know has an FN action, opend up for magnum with a timney and a buhler style safty and polished ,he wants 450.00 for that.
Now to your question. Seems you are trying to be practicle. It seems to me you would be able to make a great roberts with that action.
I would go with a light sporter barrel 22" to 24". Timney trigger and a real nice piece of walnut.
Now if you want to throw away the practicl thing, i might go for a whelen, but its only about 100.00 to open the bolt face, now you can do a 7 mag or even a .458. I would opt for the Roberts beacuse it is a great deer cartridge and tons of fun to shoot ! ...tj3006

The stock has to go but usually is worth $35-50 to someone else. The barrel is high quality made by High Standard and is chrome flashed and usually in fine shape. I like to flute them which makes a nice light rifle. It also removes the "Sears" logo. The caliber is good, but often the head spacing is a bit off in these so have that checked. I like custom triggers like the Kepplinger set trigger, but to each his own. The Mod 70 safety sets them off. I dislike that safety, but I guess I am alone in that. A fine piece of wood is a must in a style of your own preference.

It looks like your safe is complete other than the presance of a heavy caliber rifle. Consider a heavy caliber rifle, 458 win. or the Lott, or 500 Jeffery. Go with a cut rifled barrel with integral features, Q-rib etc. Select a dark piece of Turkish, Steel crossbolts, 9.5 inch forearm with ebony tip. English style cheekpiece. barrel band sling swivel, change the bolt handle to a straight design with hand checkered panels, have a cape or and elephant engraved on the floorplate. Go with a cocking piece peep sight.
Timan