Winchester 52's

[Mustang]

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

[Mustang]

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...

['ol shooter]

Those are two fine rifles you have there. I have a Viani mount on my H&R 12, the poor man's 52, and the EGW on my Kimber 82G, uses the same mount you have. Nothing wrong with the EGW, it will flex a little if you push on it, but doesn't move otherwise. Mine has a T-36 Weaver on it and it's solid. EGW now makes a steel version of that two screw mount, supposed to be very rigid.

[Mustang]

Those are two fine rifles you have there. I have a Viani mount on my H&R 12, the poor man's 52, and the EGW on my Kimber 82G, uses the same mount you have. Nothing wrong with the EGW, it will flex a little if you push on it, but doesn't move otherwise. Mine has a T-36 Weaver on it and it's solid. EGW now makes a steel version of that two screw mount, supposed to be very rigid.

Thanks, os! I can't honestly say anything against the EGW rail, but I have a little more confidence in the Viani mount because it ties in with the rear sight mount.

I've got an H&R Model 5200 with a Viani mount. The 5200 is like the M12, but with a walnut stock. It shoots pretty well with a B&L 6-24 scope mounted on it.

[Mustang]

Here is what the 52B and 52D looked like before I scoped them. The Vaver sight on the B is amazingly smooth and fine.





The D came with a Redfield Olympic

[rromeo]

I don't know enough about them, but I'm kind of kicking myself for not buying the $600 52 that Cabela's had the other day.

[Boarhuntor]

Beautifull guns. I would not scope them tho...

[Mustang]

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

[Calif Hunter]

I've always wanted a Win 52 but had to settle for a CMP Rem 40X. I had to refinish the stock as it looked like it had been drug behind a truck on a gravel road, and had vise marks on the stock in the receiver area, but I steamed and sanded and got it looking good with several coats of tung oil. I put a Weaver T36 target dot scope on it and a Jewell trigger in it.

These aren't the best groups it has shot but are representative of how well it does at 50 yards for 5 shots. Mine likes the Eley Match at the 1058 FPS level. Yeah - it gets that picky to get the tiniest groups....some guys go back Lot number and even machine number. I just try to stick to that approximate muzzle velocity.

[Mustang]

Those are darn good groups, C-H!

[slamfire1]

Well done, great rifles, and excellent shooting.

The Ken Viani mount is probably out of production and is very rare. Ken did a great job of making a mount that could be used with modern scopes, and iron sights.

If you have a Canjar trigger on a 52B you are one lucky owner. Original 52B's were made with a 3 pound trigger, cause that was the rules. They will start to follow around 2.5 pounds. As you have noticed, those 52's will shoot.

If you shoot enough ammunition you will find your rifle likes different brands, and different lots. When you find a lot that shoots exceptionally well, buy all that you can.

[Mustang]

Beautifull guns. I would not scope them tho...

Thanks!

I can always unscope them if need be. No extra holes were drilled.

[Mustang]

Well done, great rifles, and excellent shooting.

The Ken Viani mount is probably out of production and is very rare. Ken did a great job of making a mount that could be used with modern scopes, and iron sights.

If you have a Canjar trigger on a 52B you are one lucky owner. Original 52B's were made with a 3 pound trigger, cause that was the rules. They will start to follow around 2.5 pounds. As you have noticed, those 52's will shoot.

If you shoot enough ammunition you will find your rifle likes different brands, and different lots. When you find a lot that shoots exceptionally well, buy all that you can.

Thanks, sf1!

I've got a few boxes of Eley Tennex, Eley black box match, Lapua Center X, Lapua Polar Biathalon and RWS R50 to try. If I find a particular lot that the rifle(s) like, can I order that particular lot from the supplier? Will they look at the lot numbers for me?

Several people over on Rimfire Central have confirmed from the pictures of the trigger that it is a Canjar.




Another thing is the Vaver rear sight...I've gotten several unsolicited inquiries about whether I want to sell it. It is incredibly precise and smooth. One of the inquirers described it as the "Swiss watch of target sights".

[slamfire1]

Thanks, sf1!

I've got a few boxes of Eley Tennex, Eley black box match, Lapua Center X, Lapua Polar Biathalon and RWS R50 to try. If I find a particular lot that the rifle(s) like, can I order that particular lot from the supplier? Will they look at the lot numbers for me?

Killough are into match ammunition, they show up at the National Matches. Champion's Choice was a Camp Perry vendor, still sell match ammunition. Might ask them if tthey will sell sampler assortments. That is a selection of different lots of the same quality level. You shoot a box each, find the one you like, order a case.

[Mustang]

Killough are into match ammunition, they show up at the National Matches. Champion's Choice was a Camp Perry vendor, still sell match ammunition. Might ask them if tthey will sell sampler assortments. That is a selection of different lots of the same quality level. You shoot a box each, find the one you like, order a case.

Holy sh-t...you're right!

Killough

They have lists of lot #'s available. Also the cheapest prices I've seen on Eley ammo.