Collecting and Shooting the Military Surplus Rifle (2008)

Article Published Date: 05/04/2008

Article by Mark Trope

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Part I

The History

It�s very prestigious for a company to have their flagship .22 long rifle (LR) gun used in shooting events by both civilian and military competitors. When the gun is a long-standing favorite, its appearance on the shooting line is no great surprise to anyone. After all, if the �Flamboyant Firearms Company� as had a certain .22 match gun in the line for quite some time, and the gun has proven itself in local matches, and had several favorable write-ups and guys have found the gun tunes up well, it�s natural for that gun to eventually make it to the winner�s circle. However, imagine how surprised everyone is when a company puts so much faith is a completely new gun; that they send pre-production examples of a gun no one has ever really even seen, to compete in the national matches!

That�s exactly what Winchester Repeating Arms did in 1919. Winchester sent 6 pre-production, Model 52 bolt-action, magazine-fed rifles to the National Matches held at Caldwell New Jersey. Five guns were in caliber .22 Long Rifle (LR), and one in caliber .22 Short.

The Model 52 was the hit of the season! It won 5 prestigious events. Needless to say; everyone wanted to know when a regular production version would be offered for sale to the general public. Winchester moved swiftly and got the Model 52 into production.

Throughout the years and decades that followed, the Model 52 went through various changes and upgrades. Models A, B, C came along, all magazine-fed repeaters. Each succeeding version of the 52 was �Top Gun�.

In the mid-1950�s, the U.S. Olympic Shooting Team arranged for Winchester to build a small group of special Model 52 C�s to compete in the games held in Australia. This group of guns however, was ordered as single shots, not as magazine-fed repeaters. The actions were made with solid bottom receivers and fixed loading ramps. After the Olympics, the guns were returned to Winchester. This single-shot configuration was the mold for the next version of the Model 52, the Model 52 D (Note1).

Winchester introduced the single-shot Model 52 D in 1961, and it was an instantaneous favorite. The Model 52 D retained the Model 52�s top spot as the most accurate American made .22 LR match gun.

Figure 1

Model 52 C�s & D�s acquired by the military were electro-penciled �US�

(Most of the Remington 40X�s were stamped �US� by Remington)

(Tape covers most of serial #, note the �D� is a suffix)

Figure 2

Model 52 E. The �E� is a prefix, not a suffix as in the Model 52 D. This was a mandate of the Gun Control Act of 1968. Note the top of the action is D&T�ed from the factory for top mount bases

(Tape covers remainder of serial #)

Rimfire training rifles and rimfire competition have always part and parcel for those who wear the uniform of the U.S. military. To this end, the U.S. military had acquired Model 52 Winchesters. They also had acquired Remington 40X�s, see my review of a CMP 40X http://surplusrifle.com/shooting/40xcomeshome/index.asp

After decades, these guns have been declared obsolete, and turned into the Civilian Marksmanship Program (CMP) www.odcmp.com for disposal. From time to time, the US taxpayer has the opportunity to acquire these guns. See the CMP site for what guns are currently available.

The subject of this article is one of the Winchester Model 52 D�s acquired by the U.S. Military, and then later sold off by the CMP.

Part II

The Gun

To begin with, the Model 52 D is one massive gun! The U.S. military examples have the heavy weight barrel. Without scope or sights, it weighs about 11 lbs. There was also a standard weight barrel version (the �standard� barrel is not wimpy!) made by Winchester. Neither one was particularly more accurate, but, the factory offered both configurations. The 28-inch barrel has a flat muzzle. The barrel is fitted with target scope blocks (for the traditional long scopes) and a block to mount a front globe sight.

Figure 3

Winchester 52 D on left, muzzle is flat. Winchester 52 E, on right, muzzle has a deeply recessed crown, a recessed crown is common on match rifles

(Model 52 E is D&T�ed for barrel mounted scope blocks, globe front sight, and rear scope base, holes are filled with threaded plugs.

The lands and grooves in the barrel are extremely smooth. In fact, they seem to shine like a parabolic mirror. 52 D�s are known for the barrels to be extremely consistent in the internal dimensions from breach to muzzle. All producers of fine barrels note consistency and smoothness is essential for match-grade accuracy.

Figure 4

The 52 D chamber will not allow a round to seat up to the cartridge rim under finger pressure.

Figure 5

The chamber of this Remington sporting rifle will allow a round to seat right up to the cartridge rim.

The chamber of the 52 D will not allow a cartridge to be seated right up to the edge of the rim by thumb pressure alone; as can be done with a .22 LR sporter. A match chamber is designed so the bolt must finish seating the round. In this way, the rifling is engraved onto the soft lead bullet, and the bullet will be aligned straight into the barrel when the round is fired (Note 2).

The fit of the bolt in the 52 D�s action is amazing. The bolt and action recess are so smooth and well fitted, the bolt literally �glides� back and forth in the receiver. The bolt fits exactly square against the rim of a cartridge each and every time. This is one of the main points that must be achieved for ignition consistency from shot-to-shot.

Figure 6

Receiver sight base is fitted to the 52 D action.

The 52 D�s receiver is very heavy for a .22. The left side is D&T�ed, and the base for a receiver sight is fitted. The action is not D&T�ed for top mount bases (Note.3). The cut for cartridge insertion is large enough, but not overly so. There is a feed ramp to lay a cartridge on. The feed ramp of the 52 E is slightly redesigned from that of the 52 D. The 52 E ramp is much better. However, I still prefer to gently slip the round into the chamber by finger pressure rather then have the bolt face run it up the ramp and into the chamber.

Figure 7

Winchester 52 D has a side safety.

On the right side of the action is the safety. On a gun of this type a safety may seem superfluous. However, since in previous versions the model 52 was also available in a magazine fed sporter version, the safety was carried over into the D model. Also, many matches require the rifle to have a functional safety.

Figure 8

Winchester 52 E, on left, note bolt handle is flattened, and receiver is cylindrical. Winchester 52 D on right, note bolt handle is rounded, and receiver has two flats at the rear.

The Winchester 52 D had two flats milled at the back of the receiver. They were for older style receiver sights. Eventually, Redfield receiver sights, because of their high quality; became more or less standard, and the flats on the rear of the Winchester 52 D�s receiver were superfluous. They were dropped for the Winchester 52 E. The 52 E�s receiver was made cylindrical.

Figure 9

Accessory rail runs full length of the bottom of the stock.

Figure 10

The 2 holes top and bottom are the tunnels that lead to the �tuning screws�.

The stock is a massive piece of somewhat dark, straight-grained walnut. The fore end is rather flat on the bottom. A full-length accessory rail is fitted to the bottom of the stock. The barrel is generously free-floated; however, at the front of the fore end are two click-type �tuning screws�. The idea was the tuning screws could be brought to bear against the sides of the barrel. The upward pressure would change the vibration pattern of the barrel. By playing around with tuning screw pressure, a �sweet spot� might be found that produced better accuracy. (Note.4). If one is inclined to use the tuning screws, accuracy may, or may not improve, however, a change in point-of-impact (POI) will definitely happen. The stock�s comb height is set so the shooter may use either a scope (a long, target type scope) or iron sights without having to loose cheek weld.

Figure 11

Small screw in front of the trigger guard is the weight-of-pull adjustment.

The trigger is a fully adjustable type that was developed for the Winchester 52 C. One of the few, (very few) criticisms of earlier 52 models was a weak trigger assembly. After WWII, Winchester completely redesigned the fire control system and the result is the now famous Winchester �Micro-Motion� trigger. The Micro-Motion trigger is recognized as one of the best factory triggers ever developed.

Immediately in front of the 52 D�s trigger guard is the weight-of-pull adjustment screw. Simply turn the screw clockwise to increase pull weight, turn the screw counter clockwise to decrease pull weigh. I was easily able to adjust the trigger to a safe 1 lb. Pull. Should you decide to adjust the weight of pull to less then the factory adjustment, there are two tests you must do after adjustment. First, insert a snap-cap into the chamber to protect it. .22 LR snap-caps can be purchased from Brownells.

www.brownells.com

ITEM 729-050-022

Next, open and close the bolt swiftly, about 25 times. Should the firing pin fall, even once, then the weight-of-pull must be increased until the pin won�t fall during this test.

Now, with the snap cap in place and the bolt cocked, bump the butt (the rifles, not yours) against a padded surface 25 times. Should the firing pin fall, even once, then the weight-of-pull must be increased until the pin won�t fall during this test. Generally, a 52 D will safely adjust to a 1 lb weight-of-pull.

If the barreled action is removed from the stock, there are two additional adjustment screws for the fire control group. These two screws are adjusted at the factory, and rarely if ever need adjustment. Unless you know exactly what you are doing, I recommend you do not adjust the two screws that that are within the fire control group. I did not find it necessary to touch these two screws.

Before we mentioned the barrel-mounted scope blocks. Those blocks were originally intended to mount one of the traditional, long target scopes, such as a Lyman Target Spot, Redfield 3200, Unertl, etc.

For the last 8 years I have been building and using the clamp-on scope base/mount that fellow writer and good friend R. Ted Jeo suggested, and I designed and built. It allows one to attach a short, modern, target scope to the barrel mounted blocks. See this article for instructions on building our scope base/mount.

http://surplusrifle.com/shooting/hr12scopemount/index.asp

The only disadvantage to this base/ mount is that it places the scope eyepiece � inch higher then normal. The addition of a lace or strap on cheek pad will place the shooters face in the proper position for scope and eye alignment.

Figure 12

Redfield 3200 24 power scope.

Figure 13

Redfield was very proud of their 3200 scopes, each one was serial numbered.

Figure 14

US military marked Winchester 52 D with Redfield 3200 24 power scope.

Figure 15

Redfield 3200 just clears the barrel. With a proper cheek weld, the scope eyepiece lines right up with my eye.

Figure 16

Threaded end caps come with the Redfield 3200 24 power scope.

As I said, for 8 years I have been using the Mk III & Mk IV base/mounts. I finally figured it�s high time I break down and try one of the l-o-n-g, traditional target scopes. I found a Redfield 3200 with 24 Power and Fine X Hair reticle on ebay, www.ebay.com.

Now, the Redfield 3200 was introduced in 1968, and last made about 1981. So, please don�t go to Redfield�s site looking for it�s specs, or current retail price! The only place they are available is on the used market. But, take heart, they show up about every week on auction sites and at the larger gun shows. They were well recognized in their day (and today as well) as one of the top quality target scopes. They were made in very large quantity, finding one would not be difficult. It�s important though to get one complete with rings, end-caps, etc (Note.5). The Redfield 3200 was really a transitional scope. It retained the design and fine optics of the long, externally adjusted scopes, but was fitted with excellent internal � MOA adjustments. It comes with rings made specifically to attach to the barrel mounted blocks of rifles like the Winchester 52 series guns, Remington 37 & 40X, BSA Martini�s, H�mmerli�s, Anschutz�s etc.

Part III

The Range

Figure 17

Redfield 3200 lock ring.

Figure 18

Redfield 3200 focus ring.

At first, I had a heck of a time focusing the 3200 for 50 yards. It was all blurry! The only thing missing from the scope kit was the instruction sheet (I have one now, thanks Steve, you are one of the �good guys�!). As per my usual practice with other scopes, I had backed the objective lock ring w-a-y back before beginning to adjust the range focus. That was a mistake. After tinkering with the scope for a few minutes, I realized the lock ring was also part of the adjustment system! The lock ring needs to be backed up just enough so the range focus ring will move. After sorting that little nugget of information, I was able to bring the scope into proper focus for 50 yards.

Figure 19

Redfield 3200 range designations on scope tube, fine adjustment �hash marks� on focus ring.

Figure 20

Two thumbscrews, (the lower coin-slotted) one for each ring, lock the Redfield 3200 to the barrel blocks.

It�s always been my practice to bore sight a rifle before shooting. However, I did not do that with the 52 D for two reasons. The first is that while it�s easy to get the bolt out of a 52 D, it can be a real pain to get the bolt back into the rifle! Some are so carefully fitted that you have to remove the stock, and depress a lever in the trigger assembly to reinstall the bolt. The second reason is I had always heard that Redfield�s priority scope rings were so well made that the scope could be switched from rifle to rifle with scant little change in zero. That�s the reason the scope came in a fitted plastic box with hinges and locks. Fellows and gals using the 3200 could shoot iron sights in a morning match, then simply turn the thumbscrews and remove the iron sights. Next, they pulled the Redfield 3200 out of its storage box, place it on the barrel blocks, tightened the two attachment thumbscrews screws, and only need one or two shots to zero the rifle. I wanted to see if this was really true. Check out the target below. The black arrow points to a spot about the middle of the target, this is where I initially aimed. I chose that spot near the middle of the target, because, quite frankly, I had no idea where the round might land, and wanted a lot of paper available. As you can see, the first round landed exactly one inch to the left, and just above my aiming point! I�m happy to report the Redfield 3200 lived up to its reputation! It would be easy to switch back and forth between a scope and iron sights with this setup.

Figure 21

As you can see, my first very shot landed exactly 1 inch to the left of my aiming point. The Redfield 3200�s mounts are very well aligned.

Initially, I attached a 3-inch wide nylon skid to the bottom rail of the 52 D. I quickly removed it. The forend is plenty wide and flat as is. In addition to that, the gun weighs enough it doesn�t need the additional stability. I did put some talcum powder on the front sand bag.

The long (28-inch) barrel almost completely removes the sound of firing (still wear hearing protection). The gun does recoil a small amount, but returns to battery against the front stop of the Bald Eagle rest with just a slight push against the butt pad. Owing to that flat forend, the scope�s X hair almost returns to the same spot each time.

The 52 D settled down very quickly and began producing the kind of groups that make you smile! With some rifles, there is a learning curve. Not so with the 52 D. Once the scope was adjusted, it was strictly point & shoot. The famous Winchester Micro-Motion trigger lives up to its name, there is no over travel to speak of. It�s an amazing trigger, crisp, totally adjustable and repeatable. The 52 D was one of those guns that was about match ready right out-of the-box. No tinkering required, just mount sights or glass and go shooting.

Figure 22

Crappy shooting conditions, but a good group.

Figure 23

It�s tough when your fingers start to get numb

(Right Ted?)

The Winchester 52 D has a proud past. That can never be taken away from it. It was, and still is the most accurate .22 LR Match rifle ever made by a large American arms manufacturer.

A generation ago, it simply made sense to keep such a rifle in the line, even though the company saw no profit from its manufacture or sale. The exchange of prestige for dollars was well worth it to the type of men who, not all that long ago, ran large arms companies.

In today�s economy, there is no room for a gun like the 52 D by a large American arms manufacturer. But, there are many small manufacturing concerns or one-man shops that can turn out a match rifle every bit, or even more accurate then the 52 D, because, they don�t build guns to a price point. They build the guns to the highest possible standard, and the client simply pays whatever the final cost comes to. The kind of client that orders such a gun never expects to get out inexpensively!

The good thing is; Winchester built enough 52 series guns between 1919 and 1980 that they are almost always seen on the large auction sites, and in the better gun shows (Note.6). It�s not too hard to find one. It�s also not too hard to find one with the US markings. Additionally, it�s not too hard to find a good classic scope like the Redfield 3200 (Note. 5).

Keep your eyes and ears open. A US marked Winchester 52 could be closer then you think!

I found my US marked 52 D on www.gunbroker.com. The dealer I got my 52 D from is pdarms4u. He posted good, clear pictures of the gun, is an excellent communicator, and did a super job packing the rifle. He is an overall great guy to deal with.

I want to give an extra special thanks to Steve E. for his technical expertise and advice in helping me prepare this article. Steve, you �Da Man! : - )

Note 1

In reality, Remington beat Winchester to the market with a single-shot, solid-bottom .22 LR match rifle when they introduced the 40X in the mid-1950�s as a regular production gun. Remington had discontinued the much-respected Model 37, also a clip-fed repeater. But, the 40X was not based on a reworked 37 action. The 40X was based on the Remington 722 action, which, with a few very minor changes became the famous Remington 700 action.

The Joke around Remington was the Model 37 got its name because they lost $37.00 on every one they sold! By consolidating on one action (the 722), which was used by the 10�s of thousands to build sporters, Remington did away with a low production action (the 37 action). The new 40X allowed Remington to consolidate on actions; and ease some of the financial burden.

Note 2

Sporting barrels are made with a generous chamber. The tolerances built into sporters allow a barrel to simply be installed; and the tolerances will fall somewhere between the allowable limits, usually toward the high side. Still, some sporters do shoot amazingly good groups!

Conversely, a match gun�s chamber is cut by hand. Not only must just the right amount

of bullet engraving be present (chamber depth), but, the bolt face must apply the proper amount of pressure to the back of the cartridge rim. Additionally, the bolt face must be exactly square to the back of the barrel.

All this handwork takes a lot of time. Only the very best (and most expensive) men can do it.

Note 3

It�s interesting that the 52 D was not D&T�ed for top mount bases. The Remington 40X was always D&T�ed for top mount bases. Perhaps, in 1955, Remington had a crystal ball, and knew that in less then 20 years, short, receiver mounted target scopes would become available.

The last version of the 52, the 52 E was D&T�ed for top mount bases. At least the vast majority of 52 E�s were D&T�ed. There are a few very rare 52 E�s known to exist that were not D&T�ed�isn�t that right Phil?

Note 4

I don�t use tuning screws. I back them up so the barrel is allowed to vibrate freely.

It is my humble opinion that today�s match grade ammunition is worlds betters then the match ammunition of 40, 50 years ago. Today�s match grade ammunition is so consistent; I don�t think tuning screws will have any measurable affect on accuracy.

Tuning screws may help a bit with inexpensive, bulk ammo though.

Note 5

I found a Redfield 3200 in about perfect condition with original rings, end-caps and the original plastic, locking-top box. Needless to say, I did not get it cheap!

Look around though, there are still good deals to be had.

Note 6

After US repeating Arms bought Winchester in 1980, they promptly discontinued the 52 series guns. While I have not been able to verify this, I�m told that in 1981 or 1982 a �parts cleanup� was done. Supposedly, an undisclosed amount of 52 D and 52 E guns, and barreled actions were assembled, and quietly sold off through the dealer network. This makes total sense. With no manufacturing or advertising costs, it only remained to assemble parts already sitting on the shelf. The new owners of Winchester would likely see some actual profit, (even if a small one) from disposing of the remaining stock in this manner. Again, I have not been able to verify this story.

What I have been able to verify is that Winchester kept very incomplete records during this time period. I have also discovered that the features listed in the various model numbers were not a hard-and-fast rule! I�ve had communication with men that have Model D & Model E guns with original boxes and shipping documents that show what was listed in a advertising catalog, and what was shipped under that item number might not always match! Model D & Model E guns were also listed under the same part number for a time!

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