Winchester 75

camocorvette · May 29, 2023

I recently acquired this winchester 75 made in 1948.

It's rough, but it's on my list. After a barrel band screw, sling screw, barrel block screws and trigger guard screw its complete.

The Redfield sights are nice but the rear just spins. Will adjust up or down from 35-40 and then just spin.

I'd like to put a barrel mounted optic on it. I've looked and the prices go from 400- 5000 for period correct.

What do you experienced people think would be a good choice. I just want to shoot it. It will be a shooter. If I could actually dial an old scope enough to shoot in a nrl/prs match that would be awesome and I would use it. But I don't think that's possible.

Or do I just find a EGW or similar scope mount and put a modern scope on it?

Budget is 700-800 for period correct'ish scopes. I've got modern scopes I can use and the egw rail just looks sold out, but I'm sure there are other options.

My plan is to clean it up, rust blue it, keep it oiled and shoot it.

RTH1800 · May 30, 2023

Pm me. I have a lot of options to scope that rifle with vintage glass that I’d not priced like that. Not sure about rings but we can figure that out as well.

RTH1800 · May 30, 2023

I have bases that will fit existing holes but that type scope will be expensive. Might make sense to groove or drill receiver.

camocorvette · May 30, 2023

@RTH1800 Will pm after work, thank you

Budrichard · Jun 1, 2023

What insert, post or circular is in the front sight?
With a post, find a Redfield Model 75 rear off eBay that works, refinish the gun and use as is for hunting.
For Bullseye competition, you want a front circular insert.
Be aware that the Redfield front and rear for the 75 are a smaller size that the Olympic or International.
Shaver sells the correct insert size you need in a die cut card that has multiple sizes available.
Good product!!

Front Sight Insert Cards - Lee Shaver Gunsmithing

stores.leeshavergunsmithing.com

-Richard

camocorvette · Jun 1, 2023

Thank you Richard, it has a circular front insert. I'll add some photos after work.

camocorvette · Jun 12, 2023

Thanks for all the messages and knowledge. I've decided for now to aquire scope blocks for the barrel just to have. Then ordering a EGW base from gunbroker to put a modern scope on it. For now I think that will be great until I save up to buy a period correct scope.

Also some more negatives about the rifle. I went to shoot it the other day. Could not get a round to chamber.

Checked the chamber and was greeted with this dimple from some one dry firing on an empty chamber I assume. I know some guns it's forbidden because you will do exactly this. It's got a divot of metal displaced into the chamber from the firing pin.

Maybe what I did next was wrong. But I took a small round chainsaw file and just barely scuffed only the displaced metal. It cleaned it up. I was able to chamber a round.
First attempt at firing it did not go off. Re-cocked it and it went off. I could not extract the case. Grabbed a cleaning rod and tapped it out. The case is forming to the metal that is still goobered up in the chamber.

So I am definitely disappointed. I didn't dry fire the rifle and it wasn't disclosed. Nor did I notice it in pictures when I purchased it off gunbroker.

Talked to the gunsmith that does all the work for me. He said he's fixed this before. He has to swage the chamber. So off to him it goes.

Well that's where I'm at with it so far.

Stubee · Jun 16, 2023

camocorvette said:
Thanks for all the messages and knowledge. I've decided for now to aquire scope blocks for the barrel just to have. Then ordering a EGW base from gunbroker to put a modern scope on it. For now I think that will be great until I save up to buy a period correct scope.

Also some more negatives about the rifle. I went to shoot it the other day. Could not get a round to chamber.
View attachment 8160680
Checked the chamber and was greeted with this dimple from some one dry firing on an empty chamber I assume. I know some guns it's forbidden because you will do exactly this. It's got a divot of metal displaced into the chamber from the firing pin.
View attachment 8160203 View attachment 8160204

Maybe what I did next was wrong. But I took a small round chainsaw file and just barely scuffed only the displaced metal. It cleaned it up. I was able to chamber a round.
First attempt at firing it did not go off. Re-cocked it and it went off. I could not extract the case. Grabbed a cleaning rod and tapped it out. The case is forming to the metal that is still goobered up in the chamber.
View attachment 8160684

So I am definitely disappointed. I didn't dry fire the rifle and it wasn't disclosed. Nor did I notice it in pictures when I purchased it off gunbroker.

Talked to the gunsmith that does all the work for me. He said he's fixed this before. He has to swage the chamber. So off to him it goes.

Well that's where I'm at with it so far.

That’s a shame. I’ve heard that it can be fixed via swaging or using a chamber iron such that it’ll be fine to shoot.

I just picked a visually pretty rough 52B just because I’ve hardly ever even seen one around here and I wanted to try it. Mechanically it’s fine so I mounted a 6-24 B&L using an EGW 0 MOA base and it works very well. I only shot at 25 yards because the whole rig was new to me + windy but the old rifle shows promise.

The EGW aluminum base doesn’t allow for a lot of movement back depending on scope but is otherwise very nice, and I think $35 on Amazon.

sjmpcc022 · Jun 16, 2023

These are a few pics of my model 75, not good pics, but they were on my computer. It is a 1936 model, low serial number. If I remember correctly they were first made in 1935, and not that many the first year. It has an original Malcolm & Sons 3X scope, the trigger is very light and it shoots to beat all hell!

It sucks big time about yours being damaged like it is, that is a shame. I agree with your decision to put a modern scope on it. If you want to collect and look at it, pay out the ass and get an original scope. If you want to shoot it, and really see what it is capable of, get a decent scope!! The Malcolm and Sons 3X wire crosshair scope, .750 diameter , does not qualify as such. Maybe in 1936 it did, but not today. I can shoot nice groups with it, but it isn't easy! I had to send a lot of e mails to guys who know these things and were nice enough to respond to be able to make the scope even usable! They did also have a 6X scope on some rifles, that may be interesting??????

You have a great rifle, put it through the paces and enjoy the shit out of it!

camocorvette · Jun 17, 2023

Nice rifle! @Stubee I hope yours shoot great when you stretch it's legs out. It looks promising.

camocorvette · Jun 17, 2023

@sjmpcc022 that looks gorgeous. I need a leather sling for mine. Was the Malcolm scope something that you could buy as a package deal back then? Or just another aftermarket scope?

sjmpcc022 · Jun 19, 2023

camocorvette said:
@sjmpcc022 that looks gorgeous. I need a leather sling for mine. Was the Malcolm scope something that you could buy as a package deal back then? Or just another aftermarket scope?

I'm really not sure? From the research I did years ago I was under the impression that it was standard on some of them, that may be absolutley not true also??? The story is my mom's uncle gave it to my dad, for helping him out with some things when he and my great aunt moved. He was old as dirt when I was a kid, so he may very well have bought it new, will never know that one. At least I'm not going to do the research to find out!

It was always in the house when I was an older kid, I shot it a little bit. There was also an old Winchester pump action .22 on the wall in the dining room, kind of looks like a model 12. I shot the shit out of that gun, it's still hanging there, still could! When my dad built his new shop, the model 75 hung on the wall in there. I took it down one day after he passed away, looked it up and said, "Holy Shit!" I had no clue what it was before I did a bit of research, in decent condition looks like 1500ish or so! I started digging, got the scope so you could see through it and started shooting it. Damn does it shoot!

Truth be told, that rifle is what got me started on the road to my B 14R and shooting PRS/NRL with a .22. That old Winchester is fun, but it wouldn't do what I wanted it to do. It's back at my mom's house where it started, at least for me.

MajorD · Jun 20, 2023

Another option to take care of the chamber ( if you can find a suitably skilled gunsmith to do it and not take 5 years!) is to shorten the barrel from the rear and rechamber.

Charger442 · Jun 20, 2023

MajorD said:
Another option to take care of the chamber ( if you can find a suitably skilled gunsmith to do it and not take 5 years!) is to shorten the barrel from the rear and rechamber.

I used a very small chamfer tool at home that helps clean up that peening. Will take that node out. It's worth a shot and a hell of a lot cheaper than a rechamber.

ChamberMade Chamber Ironing Swage Gunsmith Tool for .22lr, .22long, .22short | TANDEMKROSS

www.tandemkross.com

camocorvette · Jun 20, 2023

@sjmpcc022 that's awesome. Glad that old gun got you into it more. Hey throw some oil on them and just let them hang up for show.

@MajorD I hope it doesn't come to that, but that is an option.

@Charger442 that's what my gunsmith is talking about. I haven't dropped it off yet. But he said it's pretty simple to do. After hornady prc match I'll drop it off. I've got like 3 guns for him to work on.

Charger442 · Jun 20, 2023

camocorvette said:
@Charger442 that's what my gunsmith is talking about. I haven't dropped it off yet. But he said it's pretty simple to do. After hornady prc match I'll drop it off. I've got like 3 guns for him to work on.

hell i even have that one ill send you if i can go put my hands on it, and if you are interested.

camocorvette · Jun 20, 2023

Charger442 said:
hell i even have that one ill send you if i can go put my hands on it, and if you are interested.

Thanks I appreciate it greatly. No worries though. I believe he's got all the tools.

lyman · Jun 20, 2023

re the scopes, somewhere on the net is a list of what gun used which blocks,
you want to make sure they are the correct height and profile,

if you want period scope, you can search for Unertl or Lyman, but those tend to go for crazy money,

some of the lesser known makers, Litschert, Davis (took over after Litschert passed) and Fecker will sometimes slip thru for less money,

all are good quality scopes,

ebay is a good source, as is Rimfire Central and this guy

Home Page

keep in mind anything below 10x will be higher (sniper clone guys tend to buy them or bid them up) and 20x or more brings a premium,

I have 2 75's, one is a US trainer (marked) with a Lyman A5 and the other is a later Commercial model, that is set up to shoot irons (redfields front and back) or scoped (I have a variety of older scopes to go on it and a few other old school 22's)

great shooters, triggers are not quite as good as a 52, but good enough,

camocorvette · Jun 20, 2023

That's awesome too know. Thanks for that. Thanks for the link too. I'm a ways out from getting a scope for it now. Gotta get it functioning and go from there.

camocorvette · Oct 20, 2024

Got it dropped off at the Smith a couple weeks ago, got it back last weekend. Shot it today for the first time. About 100 rounds total. This is just with the Redfield irons.

Top left and top middle off a bag and barracade @50 yards.
Top right prone off backpack + bag and rear bag
Bottom three targets off backpack + bag and rear bag. The last group on paper (Bottom right) is probably 1.25-1.3 moa.

At about 440 pm sun was shinning in my face and targets where in the shade. But I enjoyed shooting it and learned a few things.

There must be a sear engagement issue or something. I would chamber a round and pull the trigger to get nothing or mush like it had been fired. But if I pulled the bolt back and put the safety on, closed the bolt on a loaded round and put the safety on fire. It would fire a round every time.

Not sure what that is so that's gotta get sorted out.

My 2nd issue is magazine retention. If the mag wasn't sitting on the bag, 50% it would fall out. Even after it's been seated and the mag latch clicked in. When I would cycle the bolt and load it, it would pop the magazine out. So maybe some fitment issues there.

Other then that, I'm happy with the gun for what I paid. I'm going to get a rail and mount a modern scope. I know the groups will tighten up.

Also the 15 round mags you can get for these are garbage. It doesn't lock into the rifle. I think it just needs some filling to fit hopefully.

JoshPutman · Oct 20, 2024

Hopefully you get it sorted out and start getting more lead down range with that fine old rifle.

I picked one up a few years ago from a coworker. Built in 1941, and came with the optic already on it. Some day I'll get a set of original irons for it.

camocorvette · Oct 20, 2024

Yes I got the chamber sorted out and it cycles and extracts fine now. Just gotta get the trigger sorted out.

Overwatch260 · Oct 20, 2024

Can't hurt to check this, perhaps someone has backed the adjustment screw too far out? This is for a 69A but they're identical to the 75 iirc...

https://www.rimfirecentral.com/threads/69a-trigger.321198/?post_id=2773184&nested_view=1&sortby=oldest#post-2773184

Overwatch260 · Oct 20, 2024

I also have a 75 Target that shoots great, but this Sporter with the 6X Unertl Condor is still my main squirrel rifle... Love all these old Winchesters

camocorvette · Oct 20, 2024

Overwatch260 said:
Can't hurt to check this, perhaps someone has backed the adjustment screw too far out? This is for a 69A but they're identical to the 75 iirc...

https://www.rimfirecentral.com/threads/69a-trigger.321198/?post_id=2773184&nested_view=1&sortby=oldest#post-2773184

Hey thank you for that. I read some and will read through the whole thread soon. I'll look into that and get that sorted out. Thanks again.

Beautiful rifle you have!

Overwatch260 · Oct 20, 2024

No problem man! The 69A & 75 triggers won't really get down to "match trigger" pull weights, 2.5 to 3 lbs or so is probably about as far as they'll go safely with just the adjustment screw. Hopefully it's just a simple adjustment issue... Keep us posted!

camocorvette · Oct 21, 2024

At first I thought the trigger was garbage... but I mainly shoot tac sport pro 2 stage triggers or the Anschutz triggers. So I know I've got to get used to it.
Hopefully it's just out of adjustment.

Will post more when I make some progress. Thanks!

camocorvette · Oct 31, 2024

As the sun was setting today it shinned beautifully on the steel at 130 yards. So I grabbed her and shot probably 30 rounds. It was cold, I needed to grease the disc and put it away. But I really enjoy shooting this rifle. Had a couple failures to extract. I need to clean the chamber. Trigger is still wonky, have not sorted that out yet.

I am excited to shoot this thing with a scope. My eyes can't do it justice.

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