Swung by a local gun shop on my way home Wednesday to get into the holiday shopping mood. On the used rack I found 2 items. I need neither, but what's need got to do with it right?

Option 1: For $299 a JC Higgins model 50 in 30-06. Cheap scope, good barrel, decent stock that looks like it would be fine with a good cleaning.

Option 2: Also for $299 a Whitworth 7mm Mag, 2 pc bases but no scope, I'll have to check the barrel, decent stock. It says Whitworth on the front ring, vs another Mark X that I have that doesn't say Whitworth.

I may head back later today or tomorrow to see what kind of package deal I can get, but from reading through the archives $250-$300 is the going rate for a Model 50. If I were only to come home with 1, which should it be? I don't really need either caliber, so it would be for a future project

Well are you wanting to build a 06 bases round or a magnum? Either one is a nice action. I would say the Whitworth (MKX) were the cream of the Mkx crop.

If it is for a project the barrel, stock etc is just potential extra cash from resale. The price is resonable for both so again is that project an 06 or magnum?

buy them both...both are excellent donors and both are priced about right.

If the decision can't be mede on the merits of the action then the next thing I'd ask is the wood salvageable from either of these guns...

IMO both are excellent donors for sure.

I don't think you could get hurt on either. You could always resell and get your money back, so why not buy both ?

Ramrod - these would be for future projects, there's a use for either down the road.

Vapodog - the wood's salvageable on both

I can't remember how much this place will dicker, but hopefully I can get a "package" price

They are both decent guns, as donor both have uses. If I had to pick just one, two items would influence my decision. Which has the best most usable stock? Second would be what are your targeting to build downstream.

Me I am into not magnums at the moment, so actions that don't have mag bolts faces interest me more. Although a Mark X would make a good 338 WIn Mag ( or bigger if it floats your boat ). So your decision should hinge on what your thinking about building in the not too distant future.

I like FN's a lot, and me personally I would jump on that, but temper that with I am a big FN fan, and I am not interested in magnum cartridges currently.

You won't go wrong on either though.

I'm in the same boat as several other. I don't need a magnum action. I think they are both very resonable in price. You can sell off parts and lower the price even more. In days past I would have bought both. If I had to choose only one I would go with the FN and worry about what to make later.

the higgins is the one that you can't replace today... you can get a daly for another 100 or so...

BUT i am not doing any .473 casehead projects these days, and would probably get the whitworth and rebarrel to an AR round

jeffe

quote:

Originally posted by vapodog:
buy them both....

Best advice so far.

I vote for BOTH