I've owned 5 JC Higgins Model 50's. 1 270, and the rest were 30-06. The 270 would consistently should 3/4 groups with most ammo except Remington. Never reloaded for it.
2 of the 30-06's were bought and sold. One of the others would shoot 1 inch groups easily. The 30-06 I have left will shoot 1/2 groups using 150 grain TSX bullets.
The JC Higgins rifles are a steal for what you pay for them, maybe the best used gun value available on the market today. You can find them for less than 300.00 easily. I've never paid more, and the 3 best I've owned were all $275.00 <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />
Anybody who doesn't replace the trigger on one of them, doesn't understand the problem with them, they are inherently dangerous. I've used military triggers, though the cocking piece should be replaced on the bolt. You will need to dremel out a bit of the stock to clear the trigger. A 2 minute job.
The 30-06 I have now uses an old military mauser trigger, and it doesn't effect the 1/2 groups. I also don't like the left-side wing safety. They are loud, and hard to reach. A 3 position safety is going on my 30-06.
If I were looking for a commercial Mauser, and wanted one for a great price, my search would start and end with the JC Higgins Model 50.
If I wanted a real nice commercial Mauser, I'd look for an original Browning 98 or an FN 98 Supreme.
