After posting this, I thought about the Featherweights, they are lighter.

When I bought my first Model 50, I replaced the flag safety because of the noise, I couldn't get it to release without "clicking" to loudly. If I was to choose the safety I prefer, it would be a Model 70 style, 2 position.

I actually like the combs on the Model 50's, and like the overall stock design on the Sears rifles better than the Model 70.

Both rifles are much nicer than most rifles made today, in my opinion, but that isn't worth much to anybody, including my dog.

I will say this, if I walk into a gunshop, the first thing I look for is FN 98 rifles...

What has happened to all those noisy FN safties that were replaced? I have been looking but can not find any.

Tom

JBabcock: These two Rifles are not even in the same class! The Model 70 is ten times the Rifle the old Sears throw togethers could ever be - no matter what you do to them!
The Model 70 is much stronger, much safer in many ways, has a much better trigger, looks better, functions more reliably, has a much better safety, the finish of the Model 70's (both wood and metal) is much more durable and attractive, firing pin breakage on the old Model 70 is next to impossible, the Model 70 looks 100 times better (does pride of ownership mean anything to you?), the lock time on the Model 70 is faster, the uniform accuracy of the Model 70's is something the Sears throw togethers have NEVER been capable of... I could go on and on but I think in brief you are trying to compare cherries (Model 70's) to rotten eggs (Mauser actioned Sears Rifles) here.
Money invested in a good Model 70 will earn dividend! Money spent on a Mauser actioned Sears Rifle will get you an unsophisticated, trouble prone, utilitarian Rifle and not much else! I have seen these utilitarian and unattractive Sears Rifles sit for literally months and years in stores and on Gunshow tables whilst even an average condition Model 70 will jump off of a gunrack or Gunshow table!
Again I think you are trying to comparing cherries to rotten eggs - notwithstanding your caveats and hedging!
Go with the Model 70 just like the top end custom Riflesmiths and knowledgeable Hunters and shooters from around the world prefer to do!
Hold into the wind
VarmintGuy
PS: Have you suffered a blow to your head of late? If so I recommend the folks at Swedish Hospital in Seattle I have seen them do wonders to head injured folks - maybe they can help?

How about toning down all your exclamation points!!!!! ?



Have you ever owned or examined a Sears Model 50 or 51?



I guess you've never seen a custom rifle built on an FN?



An FN actioned rifle is to quote you "unsophisticated, touble prone and utilitarian"?



What is your last name "winchester"?



Of course I realize you are just trying to stir things up a bit here, but you might be careful not to be labeled a fool.

Varmintgay,

Please elaborate on the many ways the Model 70 is stronger and safer than the Mauser?

The reason the Sear mausers sit at gunshows is that most folks are too stoopid to realize a good deal when they see one. Instead, they are brainwashed dolts like yourself and believe everything their uninformed buddies tell em. You still believe in the easter bunny too, don't you?

The best value? For hunting? The Sears, hands down. For keeping it's value, the Model 70, hands down.

I question the idea of the Model 70 being safer. It has a coned breech which in the case of over loaded round or bad primer, problems can occur. The FN has a better system for sealing the cartridge head. With judicious reloading or modern factory ammo, this isn't a consideration anymore.

The Sears / J.C. Higgins rifles were put together by FN. The only thing difference between them and Browning rifles were the roll marks on the barrels, stocks, triggers, and finish.

I have a couple of Model 70's and a couple of Model 50's and 51's and the accuracy is same - same. I'm in the process of using one of the Model 50's to build a 9.3X62 rather than a Model 70 because of the value of the Model 70. When I'm done, I'll have a FN, 9.3X62.

Value is in the eye of the beholder. These are both practical hunting rifles that will surely hold their value well. A Sears can be sometimes picked up cheap, but everybody seems to think their M70 is golden.

"The Sears / J.C. Higgins rifles were put together by FN."

False. They were put together by High Standard.