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I’ve been looking at getting an “accurate” bolt gun along the lines of a Winchester 52, Anschutz or likely ($ wise) a CZ.
I know this is mainly a collectors group but do any of you have any experience comparing the accuracy of the original 1885 chambered in 22 rimfire (any of them) to any of these “accurate” bolt guns? I understand in today’s world the 22LR would likely be more accurate vs short and long due to the wide variety of premium match ammo available in the 22LR.
Are bolt guns inherently more accurate than the falling block design? How would a good working condition 1885 22LR compare to a 52 for example? Or Anschutz?
Thanks in advance.
If you want accuracy buy a bolt gun. The 52’s are nice. I have never owned an Anschutz but they are definitely good rifles.
The barrel and the ammo are the real keys.
Chuck said
If you want accuracy buy a bolt gun. The 52’s are nice. I have never owned an Anschutz but they are definitely good rifles.
Chuck… that is simply not true. Some of the finest shooting (accurate) rifles ever made were Single Shots. One little known fact… the Pre A Model 52 rifles were assembled using left over 28″ Winder Musket barrels.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
Yep, there were many 85’s used for target shooting but many were highly modified and nearly if not brand new at the time. Either of my 52’s will out shoot any 22 I have had. Never owned an 85 in 22 RF except the Winder. Most 22’s are very sensitive to the ammo they like. Standard velocity CCI’s shoot pretty good, for me. Never have spent big bucks for Lapua and such.
These are some of the most accurate 22 rifles made in the US today: Don’t skimp on the ammo……….
Erin
November 7, 2015
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azscooby said
I’ve been looking at getting an “accurate” bolt gun along the lines of a Winchester 52, Anschutz or likely ($ wise) a CZ.I know this is mainly a collectors group but do any of you have any experience comparing the accuracy of the original 1885 chambered in 22 rimfire (any of them) to any of these “accurate” bolt guns? I understand in today’s world the 22LR would likely be more accurate vs short and long due to the wide variety of premium match ammo available in the 22LR.
Are bolt guns inherently more accurate than the falling block design? How would a good working condition 1885 22LR compare to a 52 for example? Or Anschutz?
Thanks in advance.
I have little doubt the best 52’s will hold their own against almost any other production rifle. The Winder Musket I have is very well worn as a result of its service to our country but I have little doubt it was no slouch 20 or 30 thousand rounds ago. I have dreams of finding a nice Single Shot in .22 but I’m not sure I’ll be able to find suitable match ammo in 22 Short. Some of the Eley stuff shows promise in my Winder but I know a better rifle would be impressive. My 52C is past its prime as well but it is still capable of very impressive accuracy when I do my part.
Mike
November 7, 2015
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Come to think of it the most bang for your buck, so to speak, may come from the Model 75 or Model 69. My 75 will print some impressive groups and I have a 69 with a receiver sight and pristine bore that will give both a run for their money with ammo it likes.
Mike
Please note Mike’s comment about “the ammo it likes”! At times it can be frustrating to find just what brand a .22 rimfire prefers, but when you do there is no doubt and the results will show very clearly. Tim
I love 85’s. I have over a half dozen of them. But finding a small caliber 85 with a great bore is hard to find and when you do it is expensive. One other major factor for me is that I won’t modify a Winchester to mount a scope. Not a problem with some of the bolt guns. That’s why I just bought my first Model 70 from 1952. It is already Factory threaded for scope mounts.
I don’t have a Voodoo but a lot of guys really like these.
We all seem to agree that finding the brand of 22 RF ammo the barrel likes is crucial. Actually this is true of every barrel no matter the caliber.
I may be able to offer an opinion after Friday. Our Club is having ‘Benchrest Match’ and I will shoot my 1885 T/D Musket. It had been tapped for scope blocks when I bought it and I found a correct pair. The rifle has about 95% original finish and a pristine bore. I am hoping the Eley ‘Match’ ammo will be worth the added expense. I am sure I will have the only 1904 vintage rifle there. 
RDB
November 7, 2015
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rogertherelic said
I may be able to offer an opinion after Friday. Our Club is having ‘Benchrest Match’ and I will shoot my 1885 T/D Musket. It had been tapped for scope blocks when I bought it and I found a correct pair. The rifle has about 95% original finish and a pristine bore. I am hoping the Eley ‘Match’ ammo will be worth the added expense. I am sure I will have the only 1904 vintage rifle there.
My club doesn’t allow Model 52’s in their poker chip matches and I’m not sure how they fare in the RF benchrest matches. If I wanted to play that game I’d start with my 52C and see how far that took me. My comp shooting experience has taught me to shoot with what I have until it holds me back.
Mike
The Club is using some “New Rules” regarding a separate class for vintage rifles. Having just started shooting “Benchrest Matches” a couple of months ago, I am not familiar with the rules regarding equipment. They seem to appreciate the fact that I show up and I haven’t been a threat so far. I am using “period correct” equitment with the exception of a 15X Lyman Super Target scope. The Winchester 5A scope has proved to be inadequate for this venue. The various Model 52s I have shot are very good, but the ammo factor has not been consistant.
RDB
November 7, 2015
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rogertherelic said
The Club is using some “New Rules” regarding a separate class for vintage rifles. Having just started shooting “Benchrest Matches” a couple of months ago, I am not familiar with the rules regarding equitment. They seem to appreciate the fact that I show up and I haven’t been a threat so far.
I like that idea but not sure I’d want to subject a vintage firearm to the rigors of regular competition. Maybe an annual or quarterly match.
Mike
Good point Mike. I have managed to acquire 5 Model 52 target rifles and I haven’t found the one that shoots the best, yet. They are ok, but none have shown anything special. The Musket does get at least one turn just because I like it. It may be, the problem is my lack of experiance. 
RDB
Bert H. said
Chuck said
If you want accuracy buy a bolt gun. The 52’s are nice. I have never owned an Anschutz but they are definitely good rifles.
Chuck… that is simply not true. Some of the finest shooting (accurate) rifles ever made were Single Shots. One little known fact… the Pre A Model 52 rifles were assembled using left over 28″ Winder Musket barrels.
Bert
I shot competitively with Model 52’s in the 1980’s and early 1990’s. I had a B and C (target) with iron sights (Redfield Olympic) and eventually stuck with the 52C for no reason other than I had more ‘target’ style attachments for it. Both would keep Eley and Fiochi ammo in one hole in an indoor range as long as I did my part. I briefly tried an Anschutz but it wasn’t more accurate than either of the 52’s, and I found the ergonomics lacking for target work.
I wasn’t aware of the barrel origins of the 52 preA. I have one which I shot as soon as I bought it in about 2002 just to make certain it functioned properly. Now I need to take it out and test it for accuracy.
I have so much more free time when I don’t frequent this site
Nevada Paul
Life Member NRA
We had light rain at the match this morning, but little wind. I have no clue what the negatives of that influance were, but the scores were down when we finished. I used three different brands of 22 Target ammo. Target one was Ely Match. Target two was Ely Target. Target 3 was Lapua Midas. It is so frustraiting to score a Bull and then have the next round fly off. As I said previously I am new to this sport, so my poor results may partially be do to me. I did manage to come in last again. Over all the rifle performed well. I truly think the rifle would perform better with a more accomplished shooter and finding the “right” ammo. RBB P. S.. I Forgot to mention: The targets are 1 1/4″ diameter in a 2″ box placed at 50 yards. The area we shoot from is covered.
November 7, 2015
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rogertherelic said
We had light rain at the match this morning, but little wind. I have no clue what the negatives of that influance were, but the scores were down when we finished. I used three different brands of 22 Target ammo. Target one was Ely Match. Target two was Ely Target. Target 3 was Lapua Midas. It is so frustraiting to score a Bull and then have the next round fly off. As I said previously I am new to this sport, so my poor results may partially be do to me. I did manage to come in last again. Over all the rifle performed well. I truly think the rifle would perform better with a more accomplished shooter and finding the “right” ammo.
Rain is what it is, or what you let it be. I was a point or two out of the PPC Texas Governor’s Twenty for a few years, then one year we all had to use the same factory ammo and we shot the match in the rain. PPC shooters don’t shoot from under cover. Nobody practices in the rain. I shot my first match in the rain and learned from it. I left my sight smoker and shooting glasses (they were fogging up) in my shooting box and went out and shot one of my best scores ever, finally made the Governor’s Twenty! Most folks let the rain beat them. Don’t make that mistake, it affects everyone equally unless you let it bother you.
Mike
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