Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles JC a Higgins 51

After seeing several on here for sell I thought about selling mine. Made the mistake of shooting it. Think I'll keep it, even though I have to many 06's.

Everyone should have at least one FN to remind them of what a rifle looks like.

The thing with J.C. Higgins 50s and 51s is that if you shoot them, you keep them. The barrels are chrome lined and were made by High Standard and they are accurate.

I've seen a few that were used as donors for custom barrels. You'd spend hundreds of dollars doing that and you'd be lucky if the result shot as well as it did with the original barrel.

Thats what I said to myself. Why would I sell a gun that shoots so good? Pretty too, I stripped the varnish off and put watco oil on i tseveral years ago, Looks really nice, and classic. I think I read that they had Fajen stocks on them. This one is nicely checkered also.

And the truth will set you free. I have four M50s, three in 30-06 and one that was a .270. It is now a 7x57 in a European style stock with schnable, similar in shape to the Winchester M70 Featherweight. Why pick on the .270? Early M50s had a dovetail right in the top of the chamber area of the barrel and while it probably was OK, it made me a bit nervous so I had it rebarreled. FWIW, the rifle is a tack driver with groups running from .50" to one inch depending on what bullet I'm shooting. Also, the factory stock had been cut short so that maybe it was a kid or lady's gun.
One of the 06s sits in a Butler Creek synthetic as the original stock got broken in a fall while on a hunt. That one was a gift from a friend who passed shortly after. I'll never sell that one. The last two were picked up at gun shows at reasonable prices. One had the stock slimmed down by the previous owner and the last one is about as pristine an M50 as you'll probably ever find. Originally planned to use them as donors when the cash was handy but stuff got in the way. No matter, I'll just use them as is.
Paul B.

Pappy 348 is right if someone ever needs to see quality craftsmanship pull out the Higgins........You can have too many 06's ?

"You can have too many 06's ?"

No, it's you can never have enough.
Paul B.

Is that an original stock? with cheekpiece?

Yes. Has Higgins butt plate. The 51 is a 50 with deluxe checkered stock

I could use that for my youngest son. He wants something "old that works." Let me know if you decide to sell it.

I fully intended to sell it. Should never have taken it to range to play with. Shoots 150 gr sierras into MOA 1" high at 100. Shoots 180 gr round nose sierras dead on into 1.25" groups. Does it with style.

Dad's got a 51-L (Husqvarna action) in .308. It shoots well, it looks good. One of the original lightweight rifles.

He traded a Steven's 200 in 7-08 that I'd bought for under $200 on clearance at Academy, never could it get it to shoot right. I think he got the better end of the deal on that trade...

I also have the 51-l in 30-06. Very light and kicks! Dakota deer, interested in that one?

Is the 51 L the Husqvarna action?

I really wanted a true Mauser for my youngest son.

Yes, its the Husqvarna action. Really light weight

Those guns are sleepers, maybe the most gun for the buck anywhere.

DF

From the picture that the OP posted the action is definitely an FN action made in Belgium (Fabrique Nationale d'Herstal).

In addition, the 98 style Husqvarna action has a small tab for a bolt release. Earlier models of Husqvrnas actions had the larger box type bolt release much like the 98 Mauser.

Sears and Roebuck stamp is icing on the cake.

Interesting note on the HVA action. That small tab is positioned for LA or SA rounds, same action.

I have FN and HVA actions, like them both.

DF

I'm the OP. The one in the pictures is a FN, model 51. I was telling someone that I also have a 51-L, which is the Husqvarna action.