Win 52 into a 17hmr

[shooter65]

Can a Winchester 52 be converted into a 17hmr?

 

[DaveWhite]

Probably better asked on the Gunsmithing Thread.

That said, the easier conversion question would be "can a model 52 be converted to a .22 WRM?" the short answer is probably, although it would take modification to accomodate the longer case of the .22 magnum, and of that of course would be a permanant rechambering to that cartridge.

If you could do this, the magazine would no longer be an option, so you would be talking about a single shot with a loading platform (typical in match rifles, but if you want a .17 HMR in the first place you are not talking about competitive shooting.)

If a competent gunsmith could make this work in the .22WMR, then it would be a matter of rebarrelling your 52 with a .17 HMR barrel.

 

[rayjay]

There are lots of non-sanctioned club matches that allow 22 mag and the 17's. My club allows them in our RF BR matches.

 

[DaveWhite]

yep, like I said, not competitive shooting... a 52 in .17HMR would also make a fine, albeit heavy squirrel rifle

 

[JG26_Irish]

I gotta ask, "Why?". Why would you want to butcher up a fantastic old classic Mod 52 by doing such a mod? They are fantastic shooters and make great (albeit heavy) squirrel rifles as is. Mine shoots one ragged hole groups at 50yds with good ammo. And not much worse with bad ammo. If you are determined to make it into a 17, have you considered the 17 mach2?, that could be done me thinks without modifying the receiver or bolt and should?? allow use of the factory magazine making it a much better overall system. And it should be reversible by replacing the bbl again. Good luck either way.

Irish

 

[Jeremy(WI)]

Might be quicker and cheaper to get a marlin 17V and Savage probably has one without the heavy barrel that the marlin has

 

[Rtheurer]

You all are going to cringe when I tell you this story. Right when the 17 MachII came out i was talking to another smallbore shooter at a match one day and the topic of 17's came up. He told me he had taken two Winchester 52's ( both Single shot rifles) both 52B's if recollect and put in 17 calibre sleeves ( barrel liners) from Brownells. Brownells sells a kit that has the drill bit and barrel liners for 17. He drilled out the bore and JB welded the barrel liners into the barrels. He was elated about how well they had shot.
I cringed at the the thought of tearin up a 52Winchester... yet he assured me that both had been sitting in the closet and both where shot out from 3 Generations of Competitive shooting.

Look at Brownells. Would be the cheapest route im thinking.

RussT

 

[Rtheurer]

http://www.brownells.com/gunsmith-tools-supplies/barrel-blanks-tools/barrel-liners/17-caliber-rimfire-barrel-liners-prod25219.aspx

Here is a liink. For $37 dollers no less.

 

[shooter65]

Thank you gentleman.

 

[Rustystud]

The model 52 Winchester is a 22LR the 17 HMR is based off the 22 magnum. They use completely different magazines. I good compromise would be purchasing a CCZ model 455 it comes with both a 22lr and a 17 HMR barrel and magazine parts. You would not be bastardizing a model 52 and you would be getting two guns for the price of one. I am sure there are other options out there for these two cartridges.
Nat Lambeth