Winchester 52
- Thread starter rebs
- Start date
The rifle is a legend and superbly made, but not for the high power scopes we use today. There truly are a few downsides to the 52 worth mentioning.
First, mounting a scope to these is awkward. I leave receivers as originally made and that means using the barrel’s two rear base holes to mount a cantilevered picatinny rail running backward over the receiver without being connected to it. This is a compromised and inherently weak setup that turns the scope into a torque wrench against the single, small contact surface and requires a lifetime of delicate treatment.
Second, the action screws are frustratingly incompatible with anything currently made, should you lose one or want to correct someone’s damage to the slot. Here again one practice is to bore and retap but that is akin to not just cleaning, but sandblasting one’s coin collection, in my mind, making it more convenient but permanently uncollectible. Original replacement screws must be searched out.
Third, compared to the 40-X footprint, there are not readily accessible backup target stocks. Far fewer 40-X’s were made than 52’s, but they fit any 700 opening. They have a protruding screw head on the bottom of the action but it is small enough so as to simply modify any regular 40-X stock, with a dremel.
I like to shoot these very old guns in matches. If the 52 could outshoot the 40-X, I’d say these issues could all be overlooked, but my two 52’s don’t shoot smaller, at least within my limited use of them so far. If the 52 is going to be the only vintage, top quality .22 in the collection, it would be fully appreciated, but the 40-X is also vintage, fits the same target rifle role, and if you already have one, is almost guaranteed to remain your favorite and the one that is always picked for matches.
First, mounting a scope to these is awkward. I leave receivers as originally made and that means using the barrel’s two rear base holes to mount a cantilevered picatinny rail running backward over the receiver without being connected to it. This is a compromised and inherently weak setup that turns the scope into a torque wrench against the single, small contact surface and requires a lifetime of delicate treatment.
Second, the action screws are frustratingly incompatible with anything currently made, should you lose one or want to correct someone’s damage to the slot. Here again one practice is to bore and retap but that is akin to not just cleaning, but sandblasting one’s coin collection, in my mind, making it more convenient but permanently uncollectible. Original replacement screws must be searched out.
Third, compared to the 40-X footprint, there are not readily accessible backup target stocks. Far fewer 40-X’s were made than 52’s, but they fit any 700 opening. They have a protruding screw head on the bottom of the action but it is small enough so as to simply modify any regular 40-X stock, with a dremel.
I like to shoot these very old guns in matches. If the 52 could outshoot the 40-X, I’d say these issues could all be overlooked, but my two 52’s don’t shoot smaller, at least within my limited use of them so far. If the 52 is going to be the only vintage, top quality .22 in the collection, it would be fully appreciated, but the 40-X is also vintage, fits the same target rifle role, and if you already have one, is almost guaranteed to remain your favorite and the one that is always picked for matches.
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First, every rifle is different and the 52 is no exception. Often when mated with a good lot of match ammunition, it will run with most other rifles.
davidjoe makes a valid point regarding mounting modern scopes of most 52's, however some have been drilled & tapped on the receiver. If you are a shooter, who cares. If you want to collect, then you know what you are not going to do. As for careful handling w/ a modern scope, I would certainly hope it would be a concern as they often top $1k or more and were never meant to be a carry handle or used to pull a car out of a ditch.
Regarding use, I cannot recall one 40x being commonly used in PA prone matches however the direct opposite is with 52's as they are still multiple ones on the firing line. As for stocks, the old stocks are often upgraded to something better and more ergonomic such as those made by Alex Sitman at Masterclass Stocks.
davidjoe makes a valid point regarding mounting modern scopes of most 52's, however some have been drilled & tapped on the receiver. If you are a shooter, who cares. If you want to collect, then you know what you are not going to do. As for careful handling w/ a modern scope, I would certainly hope it would be a concern as they often top $1k or more and were never meant to be a carry handle or used to pull a car out of a ditch.
Regarding use, I cannot recall one 40x being commonly used in PA prone matches however the direct opposite is with 52's as they are still multiple ones on the firing line. As for stocks, the old stocks are often upgraded to something better and more ergonomic such as those made by Alex Sitman at Masterclass Stocks.
Very reliable, very accurate. I have 4 52D's as well as a 4 40X's. Three of my 52"s have a special scope mount made by Ken Viani, sadly they are no longer being produced. I shoot benchrest matches with mine and do fairly well with them. Mine are not collectors' items, at least not to me. I will agree that parts such as triggers, action screws and such are a little hard to come by, but they are out there. The 52 triggers, as opposed to the aftermarket ones for the 40X's, are heavy pull, but you can use to that. Like any other rifle, it takes good ammo and lots of practice, to get the upmost accuracy out of them. I have had and still have several good target rifles, Anschutz, Kimber, Valmet, BSA Martinis and Remington 40X's. The 52's to me seems more balanced and more forgiving than the others.
I'd add that for the original intended Prone and Position matches, factory 52 stocks have almost none of the ergonomic adjustment competitors expect today. The handstop moves (in 1/2in steps for the A-C), and that's your lot. Winchester clearly put a good deal of thought into the Marksman stock, but that was in the 1930s; the International/International Prone were the only serious effort to modernise the design.
There is one option for the modern prone/position shooter that doesn't require obscure bolts: the Esprit Carabine. Rather than bedding at the receiver, the barrel is held in rubber-damped clamps.
52 what..the have versions and model letters
SBS
Gold $$ Contributor
The Win. 52 is a wonderful .22 target rifle. It was specifically designed to be a .22 target rifle for prone and position rifle (and so was the Anschutz 54 much later). In its heyday, it was the rifle to own. While I like and own several 40X .22's, they are made from a modified centerfire action which makes them heavy and not easy to feed in a hurry. The heavy barrel 40X is a bear to hold up in prone or position matches. With the 52, there were a number of improvements from 1920 to 1980 and the last action types (C, D, and E) are the best choices for those intending to use them for serious shooting. Accuracy will vary among various individual rifles just like any other brand, and amount of barrel wear will affect best possible accuracy. Reliability is fine, never needed parts for one that was already in good shape. Wolff makes firing pin springs should you decide yours is a little weak. As others have mentioned, still quite a few shooters using them, some with modern stocks and/or custom barrels and either old custom triggers or reworked factory triggers. If you are acquiring one to shoot with a scope (and not just collecting), nothing wrong with D&T the receiver for a modern scope -- serious competitors usually do.
We got a needed rain and I’ve pulled out my D model for some backyard shooting.
That’s the scope base situation these all face. Mine is cemented as well as screwed, but that is what it is. I’ve tried several big time scopes on this gun and I wrestle with the logic of monster glass on a base that is made to attach like this, so it has what I feel is a reasonable fixed 36 Leupold with the Premier Reticle work over, and light aluminum rings.
I got this stock a few months ago off the classifieds on this site. Very happy to have it. It is dense hardwood wood and ergonomic.
That’s the scope base situation these all face. Mine is cemented as well as screwed, but that is what it is. I’ve tried several big time scopes on this gun and I wrestle with the logic of monster glass on a base that is made to attach like this, so it has what I feel is a reasonable fixed 36 Leupold with the Premier Reticle work over, and light aluminum rings.
I got this stock a few months ago off the classifieds on this site. Very happy to have it. It is dense hardwood wood and ergonomic.
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Outrider27
Gold $$ Contributor
I have a Model 52 that is a tack driver with the right ammunition.
That having been said, the humorous side is that I can't identify exactly what I have. It looks like the most advanced 52D/E International, the target model with a thumb hole butt hook stock adjustable 6 ways from Sunday, very sophisticated iron sights, and an ancient Lyman Super Target Spot 15X scope that came mounted on it (the type of scope with the windage and elevation adjustments in the rear mounting ring). Everything tracks for it to be a top end 52 International except for one thing - the serial number puts in the 52B series.
Don't know what I've got, but it shoots lights out with the right ammo, so I'm not complaining.
That having been said, the humorous side is that I can't identify exactly what I have. It looks like the most advanced 52D/E International, the target model with a thumb hole butt hook stock adjustable 6 ways from Sunday, very sophisticated iron sights, and an ancient Lyman Super Target Spot 15X scope that came mounted on it (the type of scope with the windage and elevation adjustments in the rear mounting ring). Everything tracks for it to be a top end 52 International except for one thing - the serial number puts in the 52B series.
Don't know what I've got, but it shoots lights out with the right ammo, so I'm not complaining.
butchlambert
Site $$ Sponsor
I've had a 52 and a 52D. Nice rifles, but off the bench my mod 37 Remingtons are a little more accurate.
If they still have good bores( throat not washed out) and Stocked and bedded in a good stock accuracy is on par with all but the best pure BR rifles.
I will agree with the last post by butchlambert that the 37 was usually more accurate in the three I owned over the years.
The 52 I have right now is a very early Pre A with an 8 power junior targetspot with that it is capable of under inch at 100 yards with its favorite ammo. But I don't punch paper with this gun very often from the bench it's my offhand rifle
I shoot clay pigeons at a 100 yd and the balance and just the tradition of the gun makes it my 1st choice over some of my more modern guns.
I will agree with the last post by butchlambert that the 37 was usually more accurate in the three I owned over the years.
The 52 I have right now is a very early Pre A with an 8 power junior targetspot with that it is capable of under inch at 100 yards with its favorite ammo. But I don't punch paper with this gun very often from the bench it's my offhand rifle
I shoot clay pigeons at a 100 yd and the balance and just the tradition of the gun makes it my 1st choice over some of my more modern guns.
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Sounds like you have a 52B in an aftermarket International-type stock. Several companies made European/International/Olympic style thumbhole match stocks for the US market: Freeland, Dunlap, Fajen to name a few. Winchester bought the 52I thumbhole stocks from Freeland, rather than develop an in-house product. You may have a Freeland, although others are similar.
I like 52s. I own Roy Dunlaps 52, not a 52 but his 52. A 'B' model, 1949, Canjar single stage trigger, 20x Unertl. Completely reliable, and accurate. Shot R50 very well indeed.
Thinking, for some reason, that I needed more scope I put a cantilever rail and modern 36x scope on it. Changed things around and it shot Center X best. I was never comfy with the rail setup, though I tapped the rail for what I thought was a more solid system.
Finally had the action drilled and tapped, the rifle had been reblued so no big deal to me. It didn't shoot quite as well after all the monkeying with scopes.
It didn't have a six oclock shadow, it had a six oclock scar. So it was rebarreled. Now after frustration and lots of money it shoots just as well as it did before I started jacking with it. Now it likes Eley and not CenterX or R50.
I have 40Xs and a Stiller. But I prefer the old 52.
davidjoe, not all 52's require a cantilever scope mount for modern scopes, the E's receivers are drilled and tapped for scope bases.
I have three D's one E and a 40XB and all are accurate with the best being the E. Parts are out there, it just takes a little looking to find them. Rimfirecentral has a ton of information on them and there is a guy there that can modify the C, D and E triggers to get the pull down to around 4oz IIRC.
This is what I did to my cantilever mount.
I have three D's one E and a 40XB and all are accurate with the best being the E. Parts are out there, it just takes a little looking to find them. Rimfirecentral has a ton of information on them and there is a guy there that can modify the C, D and E triggers to get the pull down to around 4oz IIRC.
This is what I did to my cantilever mount.
Outrider27
Gold $$ Contributor
Thanks for the info. That explains a lot.
Help! Dad shot Winchester 52 [5 different rifles] for 40 years. When cleaning out his 'stuff' I came across a couple of these. Are these authentic Freeland Electronic Bedders? I have a pair of them and 2 sets of the paperwork that came with them. I remember that Dad tried them, but was not thrilled. He went back to his stock "B" for the rest of his lifetime. [BTW, I sold his Pre A, B, 2 Cs, & D. All I kept is an International E123050]
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