Winchester 52's

[Calfed]

Years ago (7 years ago, to be exact) I bought two Winchester target .22 rifles...a Winchester model 52B and a model 52D. Embarrassingly, I have not fired either rifle until this week.

I Recently started shooting in a 50 yard and 100 yard .22 rifle match at my local range and scoped both rifles so I could use them.

The 52B originally came with a Wittek-Vaver rear sight. I've also been told that it has a Canjar trigger. I put an EGW scope rail on it and shot it after the match today. I tried both Eley "Match" and Lapua Center-X. Both rifles seemed to like the Center-X better than the Eley.

I was a bit concerned about the EGW rail because it only attaches with the screw holes for the rear scope block. The groups look good, however. I put a Nikon 6-18 Buckmaster scope with a fine crosshair and target dot on the 52B (bottom rifle)

Here is the target for the 52B...5 shot groups @ 50 yards off a sand bag rest

 

[Calfed]

I mounted a Ken Viani rail on the 52D and put a B&L 6-24 x 40 scope with a duplex reticle on it.

Again, the 52D seemed to like the Center-X batter than the Eley "Match"

5 shot groups @ 50 yards...

 

[sirhrmechanic]

I used to call mine my “money gun,” because it won so many rounds at 50-50 shoots that it paid for itself in a summer.

I put a Leitschert 25x scope on it... and with Eley Tenex it just shot holes in holes.

Only hard part was movers but they tended to be big. Movers were clay targets on a wheel, for example. Or balloons on long strings on a windy day.

Amazing rifles and last I checked, still under-priced!

Sirhr

 

[RTH1800]

Long been a fan of 52’s.
Started squirrel hunting with one in the 1960’s. Still at it.

 

[RTH1800]

I have had issues with every Canjar trigger I ever had. Good luck with it.

 

[RTH1800]

Groups from bottom rifle above at 100 yards. Eley Tenex.

 

[NineHotel]

They are cool historic guns, that is for sure. The US Olympic team went to Anschutz in the late 60s for one main reason - lock time reduction - versus the 52s and 40Xs. One of the current Olympic team shooters shot my 40X in a 60 shot prone practice match - and said he could pull the trigger and count in his head how long it took for the rifle to fire versus the Anschutz he was used to shooting. He still shot a 594 raw score with it, with the old wood non-adjustable stock and irons....

 

[Calfed]

Thanks, guys. Despite having these guns for a while, I'm really just getting started with .22 rimfire shooting. Hoping to improve and to pick up tips for better shooting.

I also am setting up a Remington 40x that I've owned for years and never shot. Hoping for the best with it.

1800, those are some groups. Good show.

 

[1badDart]

I love my 52's, three 52D's, one E and a Browning repop. One of my D's has the aluminum EGW rail. IMO it needs some more length in the rear and less in the front. Also I didn't care for the flex in it so I made a brace of sorts that attaches to a Redfield rear sight base. It's solid now. EGW also makes a steel rail that probably is more rigid.

 

[JG26_Irish]

I have three 52's and old Pre-A Speedloc and two 52B's that I call "The Twins". One is ugly and will shoot anything and the other is pretty and likes fancy ammo like Eley Black and Midas+. Both shoot extremely well. I have a vintage Fecker 10x on the Ugly Girl and a vintage BalVar 6-24x on the Pretty Girl. 52's are very popular at my club's factory repeater fun shoot and they win often. I have won matches with both of them shooting against every kind of top flite 22 repeater you can think of. I attached picks of the old Pre-A and the Ugly Girl along with a sample tgt from the Pre-A. Could not find a tgt for the other two but the last time I shot the ugly girl it won the match, beating three other 52's, a Sako Custom with Walther bbl, a Annie 54 a 64 and a V22 among others. If I can find the tgt out in my truck, I will post a shot of it. I am looking to fit a Unertl 20x to the Ufly Girl this winter to give her a little edge.

 

[JG26_Irish]

PS - I don't like really light triggers but if you want one for your Win 52, contact John Langley. He has developed a trigger that if better than the old Canjar or Kenyon options. Pretty amazing.

 

[Calfed]

I love my 52's, three 52D's, one E and a Browning repop. One of my D's has the aluminum EGW rail. IMO it needs some more length in the rear and less in the front. Also I didn't care for the flex in it so I made a brace of sorts that attaches to a Redfield rear sight base. It's solid now. EGW also makes a steel rail that probably is more rigid.

How did you brace the rear of the sight?

 

[Calfed]

I have three 52's and old Pre-A Speedloc and two 52B's that I call "The Twins". One is ugly and will shoot anything and the other is pretty and likes fancy ammo like Eley Black and Midas+. Both shoot extremely well. I have a vintage Fecker 10x on the Ugly Girl and a vintage BalVar 6-24x on the Pretty Girl. 52's are very popular at my club's factory repeater fun shoot and they win often. I have won matches with both of them shooting against every kind of top flite 22 repeater you can think of. I attached picks of the old Pre-A and the Ugly Girl along with a sample tgt from the Pre-A. Could not find a tgt for the other two but the last time I shot the ugly girl it won the match, beating three other 52's, a Sako Custom with Walther bbl, a Annie 54 a 64 and a V22 among others. If I can find the tgt out in my truck, I will post a shot of it. I am looking to fit a Unertl 20x to the Ufly Girl this winter to give her a little edge.

Nice 52's, Irish. Sounds like they really perform for you.

My buddy shoots a 52C with one of those Balvar 6-24's and does quite nicely. I've been in the hunt for one that is reasonably priced, but haven't had any luck yet. I did, however, recently glom a Lyman 20X Super Targetspot. Haven't decided what to mount it on, yet.

 

[Calfed]

PS - I don't like really light triggers but if you want one for your Win 52, contact John Langley. He has developed a trigger that if better than the old Canjar or Kenyon options. Pretty amazing.

How do I contact him?

Thanks

 

[Calfed]

BTW, I have a pre A that some one cut the barrel and mounted a Lyman 48 sight on. I'm a little reluctant to shoot it because of the bolt lug cracking issue. Any information on that?

 

[pmclaine]

said he could pull the trigger and count in his head how long it took for the rifle to fire versus the Anschutz he was used to shooting.

That is amazing...he would probably fall asleep behind my Springfield M2 after pulling the trigger...

 

[Kisssofdeath]

I was fortunate enough to acquire this 52D a few years back at a RIA online event. Pretty happy with the way it shoots.

 

[Calfed]

That is one fine looking, fine shooting rifle, k of d!

 

[Calfed]

I went ahead and measured the groups on my target I posted earlier...(@ 50 yards)

 

[Mike Casselton]

Not an old classic, but it's pretty.

Great shop to work with.

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[Criver600]

52C

 

[simpletoms]

BTW, I have a pre A that some one cut the barrel and mounted a Lyman 48 sight on. I'm a little reluctant to shoot it because of the bolt lug cracking issue. Any information on that?

Calfed,

That's a fantastic looking rifle. If it doesn't have the crack at the safety lug, don't ever engage the safety and shoot it for the next 100 years. When the safety is engaged, it puts stress on the thin 90 degree safety lug cut. However, if you don't use the safety, you won't create the stress. If you're still worried, sell it to me, I'll shoot it! Enjoy your rifle, it's made to shoot and will do it well!

 

[NineHotel]

All this talk of rimfires - yea I know it's not the PX here, but I do have a 40X that is gonna go away soon if anyone is interested.

 

[Quarter Horse]

That is amazing...he would probably fall asleep behind my Springfield M2 after pulling the trigger...

Maybe so but I bet your grinning a lot more shooting your M2 than he is shooting whatever he is currently using. You win.

 

[Quarter Horse]

BTW, I have a pre A that some one cut the barrel and mounted a Lyman 48 sight on. I'm a little reluctant to shoot it because of the bolt lug cracking issue. Any information on that?

Win 52 Pre A Rear Locking Lug Crack

Here's a photo of my pre-A. You can see the crack at the top of the block through which the safety is fitted. Top of the block: The price of the rifle was quite reasonable, and it shoots great at 50 and 100 yards with CCI-SV.

www.rimfirecentral.com

 

[JG26_Irish]

Calfed,

That's a fantastic looking rifle. If it doesn't have the crack at the safety lug, don't ever engage the safety and shoot it for the next 100 years. When the safety is engaged, it puts stress on the thin 90 degree safety lug cut. However, if you don't use the safety, you won't create the stress. If you're still worried, sell it to me, I'll shoot it! Enjoy your rifle, it's made to shoot and will do it well!

Calfed, what Simpletoms said is correct. As long as You are not using the safety, the rifle is fine to shoot. I had the same concerns at first until I looked at where the stresses were in the old pre-A receivers and realized that it was fine when the safety is not in use. I sent you a PM on how to reach John Langley.

A few days ago, I pulled the Fecker off of the Ugly Girl and mounted a 20x Unertl to it. She not so ugly now, lol. Looking forward to range visit to see if it made any difference. It shot great with the 10x scope but we are shooting after dark now with flood lights and I was scoring 247-249's and getting beaten by a friend who has a 36x Unertl on his 52C. Needed to up my game a little. Those old optics are some of the clearest glass I have ever used.

 

[pmclaine]

Maybe so but I bet your grinning a lot more shooting your M2 than he is shooting whatever he is currently using. You win.

 

[1badDart]

How did you brace the rear of the sight?

The extra hole is where I broke a tap, I hate three flute taps.

 

[spife7980]

My B

 

[1badDart]

Interesting stock.

 

[NineHotel]

Free recoil bag rider stock.

 

[spife7980]

Not quite, in our rest style "schuetzen " shooting the front cleats dig into the wood blocks and the butt hook keeps your arms from holding it.

Edit: But Wayne Young the guy that made it also used to make f class and bench stocks too so it’ll ride bags as well. It just has that aluminum rod the entire length to lean in on.

 

[RETE8]

Not an old classic, but it's pretty.

Great shop to work with.

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Mark finds some nice stuff and has great customer service.

 

[Mike Casselton]

Mark finds some nice stuff and has great customer service.

Yeah, he does.
I miss living up there and having some place to shop that isn't filled with ARs and Glocks.
I haven't been there for almost 7 years now, but I do occasionally buy something from them.
Is Jim Boyd still hanging out there and buying all the collectable Rugers?

 

[bunsen27]

Not quite, in our rest style "schuetzen " shooting the front cleats dig into the wood blocks and the butt hook keeps your arms from holding it.
View attachment 7475446
View attachment 7475451
View attachment 7475452
Edit: But Wayne Young the guy that made it also used to make f class and bench stocks too so it’ll ride bags as well. It just has that aluminum rod the entire length to lean in on.

Well, that is a shooting discipline I've never seen before! I'm aware of the Old School Schuetzen shot offhand with BPCR. Please enlighten us on this style of shooting. This is in Texas correct?

 

[RTH1800]

Some more 52 field photos

 

[RTH1800]

Another

 

[RETE8]

Yeah, he does.
I miss living up there and having some place to shop that isn't filled with ARs and Glocks.
I haven't been there for almost 7 years now, but I do occasionally buy something from them.
Is Jim Boyd still hanging out there and buying all the collectable Rugers?

Not sure, I live in the other corner of the state but I always stop in when we are visiting relatives a couple of times a year. I am always checking their auctions though.....bummed I missed those two P94S Finnfires in the box

 

[Quarter Horse]

@Calfed it looks like you are well equipped to compete including the new games. Both of the single shots will work for various NRA competitions. They are also ideal for .22 F-Class which requires single loading. The 52B is mag fed so fits NRL.22 and PRS.22. Any of the three can be used in various .22 sanctioned BR comps. A lot of clubs have capitalized on the expansion in interest for accurate .22s and have added lots of informal shoots at the club level.

The field shooting events very often have ten round stages. There are Win. ten round mags for the 52 but they are pretty rare and very expensive in high condition. Brownell's has an aftermarket five round mag. I bought five about six years ago for my 52C Sporter repro. Four have worked flawlessly and one required some adjustment of the feed lips. That's a pretty good record. The price has gone up about eighty percent in the intervening years but they are still a good buy considering the options. Here is a link. https://www.brownells.com/magazines...zine-22lr-prod7944.aspx?avs|Make_3=Winchester

 

[Calfed]

Shot a 100 yard match with my 52D and Lapua Polar Biathalon. Wind was light-to-moderate, varying from about 9 o'clock to 2 o'clock.

10 rounds .945"

 

[Kisssofdeath]

Nice shooting.

 

[Joelives]

Here is one that’s been in the family three generations. I have another that is in deep storage and a new sporter they reissued 15 years ago from japan .

 

[Calfed]

I used up the Lapua Polar Biathalon ammo lot that I had been using. I switched to a new lot of the PoBi and the 52D didn't care much for it. Not bad, mind you, but not as good as the last lot.

After the match today, I started experimenting with ammo that I have. The 52D is my 100 yard match gun and it seemed to like the Eley Tennex red box.

The Tennex was high and right of where the Polar Biathalon was shooting, so I did a scope adjustment and got a .575" 100 yard group.

 

[Calfed]

Here is one that’s been in the family three generations. I have another that is in deep storage and a new sporter they reissued 15 years ago from japan .

That is a very nice kit, Joe. How does it shoot?

 

[Kisssofdeath]

I'd take it.

 

[Joelives]

It does very well (3/8 @100 ), used to belong to a small bore champion in Idaho way back in the day . I should probably pull the action and look at numbers. have not shot it for years but this summer I will take out and get my daughter shooting it .

 

[Charger442]

Since this is a thread on the 52, i am looking for input/info on a magazine for a gun i just acquired, a 1939 heavy barrel 52B. it only has a single shot mag adapter, which in itself seems to be fairly rare.

will any vintage production 52 magazine work for this gun? or is there something to be aware of before getting a 5 shot mag?

 

[RTH1800]

All Win 52 magazines seem to work in any rifle. Never had an issue with any of them.

 

[bunsen27]

I've run these with zero issues in my 52B:

WINCHESTER 52 5RD MAGAZINE 22LR | Brownells

Duplicate factory fit and function. SPECS: Replacement blued steel 5-round magazine for Winchester Models 52, 69, or 75.

www.brownells.com

 

[Calfed]

I've run these with zero issues in my 52B:

WINCHESTER 52 5RD MAGAZINE 22LR | Brownells

Duplicate factory fit and function. SPECS: Replacement blued steel 5-round magazine for Winchester Models 52, 69, or 75.

www.brownells.com

Same here...my 52B came with 1 magazine. I bought 4 of the Wisners and they work just fine.

Wisner supposedly bought the machinery from Winchester to build their mags.