52 winchesters 8

[rnj66]

I have used 52's since the late 1960's, they were considered the gold standard of small bore competition at that time. Winchester did a great job of making a competition winning rifle for a long time.
The early triggers are good, nice and crisp but can't be adjusted for a low pull weight, rules at the time required the triggers to lift a 3lb weight to be able to compete so there was no need to have an ultra light trigger. 52C's and later had a better trigger and could go lower.
I've owned a few B's and always felt the B trigger was good considering the weight requirement, shooting various 52's have had B's give me some of my higher scores so they may have a better barrel but hard to judge as all the 52's shoot well.
Last remaining 52 I still have and shoot, a 52B with a Unertl.

View attachment 461071

Nice!

 

[rnj66]

I had my 52B from when I was 16 to when I sold it 10 years ago. It was petty much a safe queen. The last time I took it out it wasn't shooting as well as my CZ455. I keep wondering if the longer barrel and tight bore were slowing the rounds down when I was shooting match ammo. When I was younger and shot cheap hi velocity ammo it seemed to shoot much better. I got $2K for it with 3 mags (expensive), a sling, a nice Unertl scope, two sets of rear peeps, the hooded front sight, and all the inserts for the front and rear peeps. Maybe should have held onto it but I needed cash more than the 52B.

Hmmm
That's odd.
Or mayb just not it's preferred ammo.
I'll put any of my 52s against any factory or custom CZ 7 days a week off the bench and already know the results of the winner.
Over time, it's possible the stock shrinkage had the action a lil loose causing the issue.

 

[rnj66]

 

[Bountied]

Hmmm
That's odd.
Or mayb just not it's preferred ammo.
I'll put any of my 52s against any factory or custom CZ 7 days a week off the bench and already know the results of the winner.
Over time, it's possible the stock shrinkage had the action a lil loose causing the issue.

What size groups are you getting and at what distances? Which ammo do your 52s like?

 

[rnj66]

What size groups are you getting and at what distances? Which ammo do your 52s like?

Lapua Center X at 50 yards off front grizzly rest and rear bag gets 5 shot groups like these with my 52Ds and 36x Unertl

 

[Blacksmith101]

Many years ago I did some ammo testing with my sons 52 and you could definitely see major differences just by changing the ammo. Groups would be bigger or smaller and the impact of the group would shift up down left and right. I shot five and ten shot groups, with a support under the fore end with a sandbag at the heal, all the same day with every type .22 rimfire I could lay my hands on, all by the same shooter and it was eye opening.

The ammo that shot best in that specific rifle, on that day, was from a lot of Remington subsonic hollow points. Unfortunately hollow points weren't legal in competition but I kept a few boxes in case I ever got into an unofficial grudge match with someone.

I recommend everyone who cares about .22 accuracy test your own gun because it does make a difference even two different guns of the same make and model will like different ammo.

Here is some world class ammo testing, several different .22 rifles including a 10/22, tested at three different distances, with pictures of the test targets. Click on the rifle/distance in the first post to see the results:

Four different rifles at three distances with many different brands of .22 rimfire

Our Latest 22 Long Rifle Rim Fire Ammo Test - Topic

forums.accuratereloading.com

The tests summarized in chart form.

22 Rim Fire Ammo Test

Link to page one of the forum which lists these tests and has a ton of information on .22 accuracy.

Rim Fire Rifles & Pistols - Forum

forums.accuratereloading.com

 

[dgapilot]

52B that my dad bought about 1964 and passed down. Used it competing as a kid and now shoot some postal shoots.

 

[Tracker12]

Should have bought a shorter when they were $1500.

 

[trailtoy]

I missed a real deal on a 52 a few years ago and kick myself all the time for missing it.