Commerical FN Mauser (JC HIGGINS MODEL 50)

MCT54 · April 20, 2009, 11:12 AM

Hello All

This is my first post and I would like some info on this rifle Commerical FN Mauser (JC HIGGINS MODEL 50) and what Caliber I can safely change it too.

I would like to rebarrel it to .338 Lapua, but have some concerns about the magazine box and reshaping the feed ramp? I have an old copy of BOLT ACTION rifles by Frank De Haas and in there he says that these actions were made in the late 40's and when the new models came out for magnums all they did was lengthen the mag well and so forth.

I guess my question would be, would it be safe to do the modifications for the .338 Lapua on this action?

Thanks Mct54

Jim Watson · April 20, 2009, 01:07 PM

The .338 Lapua is based on the .416 Rigby case, which is very large. Ray Ordorica once described what it took to make a standard Mauser handle .416s and it was a huge amount of work. The same would be required to get .338 Lap into your JCH. It is not the same as making a '98 Mauser handle a H&H belted magnum as DeHaas describes, the Rigby - Lapua is even bigger.

MCT54 · April 20, 2009, 01:52 PM

Where did you read the article by Ray Ordorica?

Doyle · April 20, 2009, 03:13 PM

If you really want to rechamber it to .338 then .338/06 only requires a new barrel and nothing else. Same for .35 Whelen.

Harry Bonar · April 20, 2009, 04:40 PM

Sir;
Rebarrel it to 338-06. is a 338 DIA BULLETT BUT A 30-06 CASE. iT IS ENTIRELY ADEQUATE FOR ANYTHING IN u.s. OR CANADA. i'VE BUILT FIVE OF THEN AND YOUR ACTION WILL NEED NO MODIFICATION!
Harry B.

Paul B. · April 27, 2009, 06:29 PM

The J.C. Higgins Model 50 was only chambered to the .270 Win. and 30-06. I have a few rifles based on the M50 and frankly, I don't think you can safely open one up enough to handle the .338 Lapua. The idea of the 33-6 is a good one or with more work/money you could convert one to the .338 Win. mag. and be OK, but the lapua round is a lot fatter and a lot longer.
Paul B.

April 20, 2009, 11:12 AM	#1
MCT54 Junior Member Join Date: April 20, 2009 Location: Tucson, Az Posts: 2	Commerical FN Mauser (JC HIGGINS MODEL 50) Hello All This is my first post and I would like some info on this rifle Commerical FN Mauser (JC HIGGINS MODEL 50) and what Caliber I can safely change it too. I would like to rebarrel it to .338 Lapua, but have some concerns about the magazine box and reshaping the feed ramp? I have an old copy of BOLT ACTION rifles by Frank De Haas and in there he says that these actions were made in the late 40's and when the new models came out for magnums all they did was lengthen the mag well and so forth. I guess my question would be, would it be safe to do the modifications for the .338 Lapua on this action? Thanks Mct54

April 20, 2009, 04:40 PM	#5
Harry Bonar Senior Member Join Date: December 5, 2004 Location: In the Vincent, Ohio general area. Posts: 1,804	mauser Sir; Rebarrel it to 338-06. is a 338 DIA BULLETT BUT A 30-06 CASE. iT IS ENTIRELY ADEQUATE FOR ANYTHING IN u.s. OR CANADA. i'VE BUILT FIVE OF THEN AND YOUR ACTION WILL NEED NO MODIFICATION! Harry B.

April 27, 2009, 06:29 PM	#6
Paul B. Senior Member Join Date: March 28, 1999 Location: Tucson, AZ Posts: 3,802	The J.C. Higgins Model 50 was only chambered to the .270 Win. and 30-06. I have a few rifles based on the M50 and frankly, I don't think you can safely open one up enough to handle the .338 Lapua. The idea of the 33-6 is a good one or with more work/money you could convert one to the .338 Win. mag. and be OK, but the lapua round is a lot fatter and a lot longer. Paul B. __________________ COMPROMISE IS NOT AN OPTION!

April 20, 2009, 01:07 PM	#2
Jim Watson Senior Member Join Date: October 25, 2001 Location: Alabama Posts: 18,537	The .338 Lapua is based on the .416 Rigby case, which is very large. Ray Ordorica once described what it took to make a standard Mauser handle .416s and it was a huge amount of work. The same would be required to get .338 Lap into your JCH. It is not the same as making a '98 Mauser handle a H&H belted magnum as DeHaas describes, the Rigby - Lapua is even bigger.

April 20, 2009, 01:52 PM	#3
MCT54 Junior Member Join Date: April 20, 2009 Location: Tucson, Az Posts: 2	Where did you read the article by Ray Ordorica?

April 20, 2009, 03:13 PM	#4
Doyle Senior Member Join Date: June 20, 2007 Location: Rainbow City, Alabama Posts: 7,167	If you really want to rechamber it to .338 then .338/06 only requires a new barrel and nothing else. Same for .35 Whelen.