Winchester 72 and Redfield Peep Sight Question

SABuzzard

Sergeant
Full Member
Minuteman
Aug 31, 2011
532
25
San Antonio, TX
I was recently given a Winchester 72 from my father who got it 20 years ago from one of his friends. The friend was the original owner, was 20 years older than my father and has since passed. So the story of this rifle has been lost.

My question(s) revolve around what's the original purpose of this rifle... The Redfield peep sights seem to have a 200 yard zero and considerable elevation adjustment for longer range. It's impossible to adjust the sights to a closer target without interfering with the movement of the bolt. The rifle is in great shape, but certainly had some rounds down it, so I can only assume it was shot at longer distance.

Is there or was there competition shooting that this rifle would have been set up for? I'm guessing this rifle was put together and used in the 1950's.

I've done the internet research and have a basic understanding of when it was made, numbers made, value, etc., but little info on what it might have been used for. I'm guessing that like the "tactical" rifles are all the rage today that this type of set up was the "in" thing for a reason.

Anybody shed any light on it?
 
It was not made as a LR .22. It was just a little hunting rifle. I would suspect one of two things. Barrel was accidently bent or sight was installed wrong, even if from the factory. If the rifle looks new, it might have been wrong all along, thus no use.
 
Thanks for the replies

It still looks to me like the original owner intended to set up the sites the way they currently are. Just don't understand what he was doing with it. Only other thing I can think of was that he shot 22 shorts exclusively out of it. That may bring the zero closer in.

The aftermarket pep sights and 25" heavier barrel sure make it look like it should be accurate :)

I'll keep tinkering with it.
 
You could put a Redfield or lyman front sight on it to match the 75. You will want a 60 series or Lyman 17 series for it.
 

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