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Good evening!
Late night thought…and forgive me if this topic has be broached.
I have a fantastic example of a Model 52B 1950ish…bit of a prized possession… and I got to thinking… what is the modern day equivalent? Is there one? or is it straight back to “they don’t make them like they use to..” if there is a modern day comparable… it’d be interesting to line them up side by side to compare what the current generation considers to be “THE” rifle of the current day.
Thoughts?
SW
I see a lot of Anshutz on the firing line these days, among a few others. Still see a few 52Cs, 52Ds and 52Es though. Not nearly as many as 15 years ago though.
Regards,
WACA Life Member #6284 - Specializing in Pre-64 Winchester .22 Rimfire
SBW351 said
Good evening!Late night thought…and forgive me if this topic has be broached.
I have a fantastic example of a Model 52B 1950ish…bit of a prized possession… and I got to thinking… what is the modern day equivalent? Is there one?
In terms of workmanship, fit & finish, no; in terms of accuracy, the ONLY factor competitors care about, even the most highly evolved 52s, the D & E models could not hold their own with Anshutz…which is why 52 production came to an end. I didn’t say “came to an end, sadly,” because by that time, 52s were far from what they used to be.
The B model I dislike because of the stupid redesign of the action, which includes a stiff spring that has to be compressed when the bolt is closed. Many shooters didn’t care for it either, because from this time, Remington’s M. 37 began gaining market share.
November 7, 2015
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My local club hosts a 10-22 centered poker chip match where the M52 is expressly verboten, does that tell you anything? The idea is to keep costs down but I’m thinking we’ve all seen the purpose-built 10-22 clones that have never been close to Newport. The premise is deeply flawed, the glass and rests cost more than a decent 52. I’ve toyed with showing up with a good 75, receiver sights, a sandbag rest and some really good Eley ammo but I’ve got better things to do. If you’re ever in North Texas, Clarence, maybe we’ll drop by and show them what old classics can do.
Mike
SBW351 said
Good evening!Late night thought…and forgive me if this topic has be broached.
I have a fantastic example of a Model 52B 1950ish…bit of a prized possession… and I got to thinking… what is the modern day equivalent? Is there one? or is it straight back to “they don’t make them like they use to..” if there is a modern day comparable… it’d be interesting to line them up side by side to compare what the current generation considers to be “THE” rifle of the current day.
Thoughts?
SW
CZ discontinued production 6-7 years ago. They made a clone of the 52, it was their 452 model. The rifles were very inexpensive $350-400 but they shot very well, probably the most accurate for the price range. Most were sporters but they did manufacture the “varmint” models. (heavy barrel versions) I was never able to shoot one chambered in Long Rifle but had the opportunity to bench one chambered in 17M2. At 50 yards it did shoot 5 shot groups into a ragged hole on a regular basis. Given the fact that no “target” ammo is available for the caliber, the results to me, were quite impressive. If one is looking for 52 accuracy in a modern bench rifle, Walther or Anschutz are probably the avenues to pursue.
Erin
Jeez, has Kimber ceased production of the 52-derived .22 that was the foundation of the co.? Just checked website & didn’t find it. I bought one the first month I saw them advertised. Though a target version was never offered that I know of.
The modern day equivalent of the Winchester model 52 is the VuDoo V22 designed by Mike Bush & Co. It has the same quality, accuracy and attention to detail that was/is the hallmark of the old 52’s. I have three of them a Pre-A speedlock, and two 52B’s. They are all shooters. I have both of the B’s topped with vintage scopes a Fecker 10x on one and a BalVar 6-24x on the other. I also have an Anchutz 54 Super Match and while it looks amazing and is one of my most accurate rifles any one of the 52’s can compete with it on a given day. The VuDoo is every bit the match of either in accuracy and quality and will be a future “Classic” collector rifle. Mike Bush even patterned the chamber of his rifle after the chamber in his personal Win 52D. It is easy to poo poo the new VuDoo if you have not handled one but once you see it and see it in action you will be a believer.
My local club hosts a weekly “Fun Shoot” that is about as tough to win as any match I have shot in. At least 8 of the regulars are nationally ranked rimfire benchrest shooters. At the last match I counted 9 Winchester 52’s on the line and three Anschutz including a 54 and two 64’s. The winner shot his pristine 52C topped with an amazing Unertl 36x tgt scope. I was allowed to shoot it a little and it pounds every shot into one hole. He shot a 249 18x on the first card and a 2275 on the new bullet pro 150 card. Not bad.
Old thread, but it seems to be the only answers have been for non-win and expensive, or CZ. What about the “re-release” Winchester 52s or Browning 52s that came out a few years ago, and may still be found NIB? Wouldn’t those be a “Model 52 modern day?”
AZshot said
Old thread, but it seems to be the only answers have been for non-win and expensive, or CZ. What about the “re-release” Winchester 52s or Browning 52s that came out a few years ago, and may still be found NIB? Wouldn’t those be a “Model 52 modern day?”
If by modern “52” you mean a true target rifle, no, because these were only made in sporter wt.–recreations of the 52 Sporter, the originals now being absurdly expensive.
SBW351 said
…I have a fantastic example of a Model 52B 1950ish…bit of a prized possession… and I got to thinking… what is the modern day equivalent? Is there one? or is it straight back to “they don’t make them like they use to..” if there is a modern day comparable… it’d be interesting to line them up side by side to compare what the current generation considers to be “THE” rifle of the current day….
I’m not the one asking the question, I don’t know what the OP means. Target or Sporter, he didn’t say did he? If one wanted a 52 modern sporter, I’d say get one of the 52 modern sporters by Winchester or Browning.
AZshot said
SBW351 said
…I have a fantastic example of a Model 52B 1950ish…bit of a prized possession… and I got to thinking… what is the modern day equivalent? Is there one? or is it straight back to “they don’t make them like they use to..” if there is a modern day comparable… it’d be interesting to line them up side by side to compare what the current generation considers to be “THE” rifle of the current day….I’m not the one asking the question, I don’t know what the OP means. Target or Sporter, he didn’t say did he? If one wanted a 52 modern sporter, I’d say get one of the 52 modern sporters by Winchester or Browning.
The OP is referring to a target rifle, which at that time could be had in several variations, in addition to the Sporter variant. (Over-priced then as it is now, though not to such a extreme degree.) When I say “target,” I mean that’s the way most were used, though some serious small-game hunters like Landis & Whelan also used them.
But no modern .22 target rifle dominates small-bore competition the way 52s did in the ’20s & ’30s, up until Rem’s M. 37 began to make inroads in the late ’30s. Rifleman photos of the Camp Perry & Sea Girt firing lines during those decades show almost nothing else in the hands of competitors. So in that respect, I’d say no modern rifle is an exact equivalent, though Anschutz comes closest.
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