Winchester 52C Bullgun

RTH1800 · Feb 1, 2024

After decades of active and passive searching I located a Winchester Mod. 52 C bullgun. I have seen dozens if not hundreds of ads and auctions where a heavy target was listed as a bullgun. The true bullgun has a 1.25” x 7/8” x 28” barrel and weighs 12#.

This is the only one I have seen that is a true bullgun. Fortunately it is in new condition and appears unfired. The scope block screws had not been removed. Zero finish wear on bolt or high edges.

I stripped it down and removed the grease and crud. Cleaned the bore of dust and grease and bore scoped it. Adjusted trigger, added scope blocks and mounted a 20x Unertl.

Will sight and test when conditions permit.

1911JMB · Feb 1, 2024

nice what are you planning to use for a stock

RTH1800 · Feb 1, 2024

I have the stock it’s just out of it for cleaning. Old varnish does not like cleaning solutions.

Charger442 · Feb 1, 2024

As beautiful as I'd hoped it would be

Ruff 364 · Feb 1, 2024

We need photos of it in the stock...sheesh.

Criver600 · Feb 1, 2024

Very cool! My sister in-law shot a bull barrel 52C, in NRA Smallbore prone matches for years.

Mine is the opposite end of the spectrum, 52C with the lightest barrel Winchester offered. Al Warner drilled and tapped the receiver for conventional scope mounts, Murphy Precision rail.

DFOOSKING · Feb 1, 2024

So is that 1.25" diameter that tapers down to 7/8" over the 28" length?

RTH1800 · Feb 1, 2024

DFOOSKING said:
So is that 1.25" diameter that tapers down to 7/8" over the 28" length?

Yes, exactly. The same muzzle diameter as the heavy target. The weight is added just in front of the action.

roostercogburn98 · Feb 1, 2024

What power unertl is that?

RTH1800 · Feb 1, 2024

roostercogburn98 · Feb 1, 2024

So not too much power for a 22. I’ve got a 24x I’ve been debating on keeping or selling away. Wasn’t sure what it would be good for. It’s a monster of a piece

Charger442 · Feb 1, 2024

roostercogburn98 said:
So not too much power for a 22. I’ve got a 24x I’ve been debating on keeping or selling away. Wasn’t sure what it would be good for. It’s a monster of a piece

A Programmer? im your huckleberry if you want to sell it.

roostercogburn98 · Feb 1, 2024

Charger442 said:
A Programmer? im your huckleberry if you want to sell it.

View attachment 8338440

No it’s not a programmer. That model has a second set of fine tune adjustments here where these are just a collar.

DFOOSKING · Feb 1, 2024

RTH1800 said:
Yes, exactly. The same muzzle diameter as the heavy target. The weight is added just in front of the action.

I had to go measure my 52B. It's 7/8" at the muzzle. But only like a inch back at the reciever.

RTH1800 · Feb 1, 2024

DFOOSKING said:
I had to go measure my 52B. It's 7/8" at the muzzle. But only like a inch back at the reciever.

Heavy target barrel.
Should weigh about 9.5-10 #

168BTHPM · Feb 1, 2024

Nice find, true bull barrel rifles are rare and don't change hands much.

The 52C I got from the CMP shoots lights out with everything but Eley. My 52C sporter is also very accurate.

RTH1800 · Feb 2, 2024

I degreased it with lacquer thinner and oiled it to prevent rust. Bore cleaned up with a couple of patches and some solvent. Looks perfect.
I did find a very cool little Win 52 bore guide I will post up photos of this evening.
It's back in stock and ready for a trip to the range over weekend.

Dave Garrett · Feb 2, 2024

The 1950 B Bull gun I had measured 1.125 at the tenon and .875 at the muzzle.... This and the BSA Martini are only guns I have ever sold that I still kick me self for at least once a week ... And I have bought and sold quite a few guns

jbell · Feb 2, 2024

Very cool rifle!

RTH1800 · Feb 3, 2024

These are both custom Winchester 52 bore guides from the ‘50’s era. Both maker marked. One is an Al Freeland the other a known maker from KC. H G Baucher

Dave Garrett · Feb 4, 2024

There is a nice C on Gunbrokers right now that the seller has listed as a Bull Target It is not a bull gun but a regular heavy....

sirhrmechanic · Feb 4, 2024

roostercogburn98 said:
So not too much power for a 22. I’ve got a 24x I’ve been debating on keeping or selling away. Wasn’t sure what it would be good for. It’s a monster of a piece

The one on my 52 is a 24x IIRC. Not too much scope at all for fun with a .22!

OP… amazing Find! Beautiful!!!

Sirhr

sirhrmechanic · Feb 4, 2024

RTH1800 said:
These are both custom Winchester 52 bore guides from the ‘50’s era. Both maker marked. One is an Al Freeland the other a known maker from KC. H G Baucher

View attachment 8339835 View attachment 8339836

Thanks for those… I’ll be turning up one post-haste! Can you post some more pix with a vernier on it? Or some measurements?

Very cool!

Cheers! Sirhr

Charger442 · Feb 4, 2024

roostercogburn98 said:
No it’s not a programmer. That model has a second set of fine tune adjustments here where these are just a collar. View attachment 8338443

Ah, then a 2" target. I'm still your guy if you want to sell it

sirhrmechanic · Feb 4, 2024

Fun things to do with a model 52 and a Unertl!

“Ad” Topperwain Challenge

The squirrel in the head thread from a few weeks ago got me back in love with some of my old .22’s. And thinking about a “project” I always wanted to undertake with a .22. Since I was a kid, I saw articles and later some videos of the husband and wife team Ad and “Plinky” Tooperwain. They...

www.snipershide.com

BTW @168BTHPM mine does not like Eley either. Standard velocity CCI… holes in holes! But spendy British target ammo… not so much!

Cheers!

Sirhr

RTH1800 · Feb 4, 2024

sirhrmechanic said:
Thanks for those… I’ll be turning up one post-haste! Can you post some more pix with a vernier on it? Or some measurements?

Very cool!

Cheers! Sirhr

Thanks, I’ll get you some specs tomorrow.

roostercogburn98 · Feb 5, 2024

sirhrmechanic said:
The one on my 52 is a 24x IIRC. Not too much scope at all for fun with a .22!

OP… amazing Find! Beautiful!!!

Sirhr

Will keep that in mind. Thank you

DFOOSKING · Feb 5, 2024

sirhrmechanic said:
Fun things to do with a model 52 and a Unertl!

“Ad” Topperwain Challenge

The squirrel in the head thread from a few weeks ago got me back in love with some of my old .22’s. And thinking about a “project” I always wanted to undertake with a .22. Since I was a kid, I saw articles and later some videos of the husband and wife team Ad and “Plinky” Tooperwain. They...

www.snipershide.com

BTW @168BTHPM mine does not like Eley either. Standard velocity CCI… holes in holes! But spendy British target ammo… not so much!

Cheers!

Sirhr

Mine did really good with RWS....

RTH1800 · Feb 5, 2024

It rained all weekend here. Hope to get out in next few days.

MajorD · Feb 6, 2024

I owned a true 52 bull gun at one time. Shot 3/4 P small bore with it. Heavy beast at the end of the offhand stage.

RTH1800 · Feb 6, 2024

Here with data on boreguide. @sirhrmechanic .

It’s based off a C bolt so I will give relevant dimensions of both the bolt and bore guide.
I found an extra 52C bolt in the drawer BTW. Picked it up for parts years ago. It appears unused.
Body diameter. Both .685
Bore guide length overall 5.55”
Bore hole .228 or near that. Chamfered on both ends.
Length at flat area 2.25 thickness .400
Length of second flat area 1.50 thickness .550
Distance from front edge of guide to back edge of retaining pin 4.50
This could be moved back as it has slight play as you go back and forth.

D_TROS · Jul 8, 2024

well?? did you shoot it?

such an awesome rifle.

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