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November 7, 2015
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Looking at a 52B Target Rifle (SN 61352(B) in a Marksman stock) that seems a bit odd. My best guess at the weight is somewhere around nine pounds, maybe more. According to the Red Book the 52B’s come in three different barrel weights for the Target Rifle but I don’t know how to identify them, was thinking the diameter would be helpful. I don’t think it’s a Bull Gun but Madis’ description is a bit ambiguous or in error. I wasn’t able to measure the diameter but if I make a return trip I’ll bring my calipers.
Mike
Mike, B target rifles were manufactured in 3 barrel configurations, and all were available with Marksman stock. The Heavy Weight is far and away the most popular.
Standard wt: 1″ dia. at receiver, approximately .710″ at muzzle. These all had forged ramps with dovetail cut in top for front sight.
Heavy wt: 1″ dia, at receiver, approximately 7/8″ dia at muzzle. Muzzle was flat, and had a standard dovetail cut into top of barrel for front sight.
Bull Guns: 1-1/8″ dia. at receiver, and approximately 7/8″ dia at muzzle. Muzzle was flat and had a standard dovetail cut into top of barrel for front sight.
All target barrels were 28″ long.
Hope that helps,
Steve
November 7, 2015
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Thanks, Steve. I think it’s a Heavy but will measure it to verify.
Mike
November 7, 2015
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Went by the orphanage Tuesday evening to measure the barrel diameter and the guys just laughed. My shooting buddy had snagged the 52B earlier that morning and he just barely beat another guy to it. LOL. I had my chance and blew it. It was a bit overpriced IMHO but it’s a very nice rifle. Probably $300 worth of sights. At least it went to a good home. Graham brought it to the range this morning and I determined it was a heavy (1”) barrel. Nice rifle, for some reason it likes the Browning ammo he’s had rattling around in his range bag for awhile. I didn’t get to shoot it, maybe next time. 😉
Mike
Mike, there are lot’s of B heavies out there. If I was serious about 52 heavy target, I would hold off for a C model which are relatively common as well. They have a much better trigger, as well as the receiver being liquid carburized which make’s for a much harder and wear resistant surface. Headspace concerns become a mute subject.
Have your buddy try some good match ammo such as Eley Match or Lapua Midas. It will show the rifle’s true potential.
Steve
November 7, 2015
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Thanks, Steve. I’m pretty much clueless on 52’s. This B has a pretty good trigger. We’ve had good luck with Norma match but for some reason this B didn’t much care for it. Pretty sure he has some Eley Match, if not I may have a box around. This Browning stuff has a velocity of about 1250, no idea who makes it.
Mike
November 7, 2015
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Found this thread doing a google search, lol. Noticed the last post was almost exactly three years ago. Finally found a nice 52 and yes, Steve, it’s a 52C HB. KenB offered it to me and I couldn’t pass it up. Very good condition with Redfield Olympic sights. I had to watch a YouTube video to understand bolt removal and installation.
I’ve got some reading to do!
Mike
I can attest to the accuracy of Eley red box match. This is a group fired by my buddy out of my M52B BULLGUN, with a 20X Lyman STS. 100 yards, benched. Neither him or I are Master shooters. Big Larry
TXGunNut said
I had to watch a YouTube video to understand bolt removal and installation.
Because, unlike most quality bolt-actions, Winchester did not design a separate bolt-release–making the trigger serve that function was not “perfection in design,” it was a way to cut costs…like the stamped trigger guard.
November 7, 2015
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clarence said
TXGunNut said
I had to watch a YouTube video to understand bolt removal and installation.Because, unlike most quality bolt-actions, Winchester did not design a separate bolt-release–making the trigger serve that function was not “perfection in design,” it was a way to cut costs…like the stamped trigger guard.
True enough, Clarence. I won’t claim to be able to get inside Johnson, Burton or Whelen’s minds but one of the driving forces behind the 52 as I understand it was the quest for a military contract as a training rifle. Cost will always be a consideration when vying for government purchase. The 52 certainly wasn’t perfection but apparently quite a few target shooters thought it was close enough, even if some felt compelled to upgrade the barrel and other components. Some comp shooters are always trying to improve their equipment, others spend their money on practice ammo.
I think I’ve had enough coffee and internet on a lazy Sunday morning, time to pack up a few rifles and head for the range! Since I’ve been a bit of a slacker in the loading room lately I’ll be shooting 22’s today, seems a couple have shown up here recently so I might as well tote them out to the range before I put them away. 😉
Mike
TXGunNut said
True enough, Clarence. I won’t claim to be able to get inside Johnson, Burton or Whelen’s minds but one of the driving forces behind the 52 as I understand it was the quest for a military contract as a training rifle.
Which is what made giving it a cock-on-closing action (for the first 10 yrs of production) inexplicable; not the way to train for handling an ’03. Nor is bolt removal on an ’03 done by fumbling with the trigger.
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