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Hello all,
Recently i acquired a J.C. Higgins Model 50 from my late grandfather. Its been in my mothers closet since his passing almost a decade ago. I took it out a few seasons ago to commemorate my first actual deer season. I ate tag soup, took some photos and returned it back to its source. Well this past Christmas my mom surprised me with some paper work and a box roughly 45 inches in length Now it calls my safe home.
Well in the last couple months this rifle has captivated my full attention, and i am currently working on several loads in 3 different bullet weights(e.g.125, 150, 178). I am running a Buckmaster 2 resting on weaver bases and Grand Slam Steel rings. The bore is immaculate but the stock is definitely showing its age The finish is starting to flake off and thus the reason for this threads.
I'll be honest and admit that i have no experience when dealing with a wooden stock or bolt actions specifically. Most of the firearms that i have purchased leading up to this have been with synthetic furniture. Watching videos on YouTube and rooting around the net I am still torn between replacing it all together with something like a boyds or mcmillan. OR restoring it myself. I would assume that a replacement would most likely drop in if not require minor fitment. Pretty straight forward, i would hope. If i choose the latter, i was thinking i would want to order the Birchwood Casey Tru-Oil Stock Finish Kit. Looks like i would have every thing i would need to bring it back to life. There are some minor dents that I'll need to iron out as well. I noticed the barrel is pretty much free of contact from the stock except at the sling screw. i can pass a dollar down but a standard business card fails and catches at the threads.
Now I am completely aware that this is merely a HUNTING rifle and that it is not a bench rifle. But i want to try to squeeze out as much precision as i can while keeping it in its truest form. I am thinking of bedding the action and floating the barrel. I was looking at Timneys till i surmised that it would require to much modification and a smith. At the least i would like to clean up the barrel channel and renew the finish. I figured a dowel and some sand paper for the channel. A dremel for the sling screw. Ill be careful to not mare the top edge of the channel as well. All together, I'm still on the fence, and could use some guidance. I would be interested to see what Calgun community has to offer. thank all for taking the time to read my post and allow me to share this journey. Thank you
Recently i acquired a J.C. Higgins Model 50 from my late grandfather. Its been in my mothers closet since his passing almost a decade ago. I took it out a few seasons ago to commemorate my first actual deer season. I ate tag soup, took some photos and returned it back to its source. Well this past Christmas my mom surprised me with some paper work and a box roughly 45 inches in length Now it calls my safe home.
Well in the last couple months this rifle has captivated my full attention, and i am currently working on several loads in 3 different bullet weights(e.g.125, 150, 178). I am running a Buckmaster 2 resting on weaver bases and Grand Slam Steel rings. The bore is immaculate but the stock is definitely showing its age The finish is starting to flake off and thus the reason for this threads.
I'll be honest and admit that i have no experience when dealing with a wooden stock or bolt actions specifically. Most of the firearms that i have purchased leading up to this have been with synthetic furniture. Watching videos on YouTube and rooting around the net I am still torn between replacing it all together with something like a boyds or mcmillan. OR restoring it myself. I would assume that a replacement would most likely drop in if not require minor fitment. Pretty straight forward, i would hope. If i choose the latter, i was thinking i would want to order the Birchwood Casey Tru-Oil Stock Finish Kit. Looks like i would have every thing i would need to bring it back to life. There are some minor dents that I'll need to iron out as well. I noticed the barrel is pretty much free of contact from the stock except at the sling screw. i can pass a dollar down but a standard business card fails and catches at the threads.
Now I am completely aware that this is merely a HUNTING rifle and that it is not a bench rifle. But i want to try to squeeze out as much precision as i can while keeping it in its truest form. I am thinking of bedding the action and floating the barrel. I was looking at Timneys till i surmised that it would require to much modification and a smith. At the least i would like to clean up the barrel channel and renew the finish. I figured a dowel and some sand paper for the channel. A dremel for the sling screw. Ill be careful to not mare the top edge of the channel as well. All together, I'm still on the fence, and could use some guidance. I would be interested to see what Calgun community has to offer. thank all for taking the time to read my post and allow me to share this journey. Thank you
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