High End .22

Earlier on this thread: post#27, Mr. Rembrandt sagely allows that the ultimate High End .22's are, will be, made by creatively customizing already top drawer rimfire rifles such Winchester M-52 target rifles.. During that magic era of great American gunmaking Winchester anticipated demands for a high quality rimfire rifle with their classy sporter version of their M-52 target rifle. Remington's M-37 rimfire target trifle was fully the equal for Winchester's M-52 in accuracy and overall quality but for some unknown reason they never offered a sporter version, which has caused much speculation as to what a M-37 sporter might have looked like. Which was my main reason for having Roger Green, a creative craftsman with both wood and metal, convert a Model-37 target into a sporter. My only suggestion being that he draw some inspiration from early 20th Century British big game rifles with their characteristic quarter rib, express sights and London stock styling plus lever release scope mounts..

I don’t know that I can find words to adequately describe that rifle. Stunning may be the closest

Steve, Looking forward to seeing photos when you are ready.

Sounds like a great plan. I have had great luck with Center-X in my target sporters. It seems to shoot quite well in all of them. Good move on the bolt knob.

Interest in this thread has slacked off to almost nothing so this may be my last post. Which I've been saving for the unveiling of what I consider the all-time ultimate High End 22. It is not mine, and until a month ago .belonged to Chuck, my snooty neighbor. Who is no longer a neighbor, having sold his home and a portion of his collection of custom made southpaw rifles and shotguns. Some of which I've mentioned and shown in previous threads.. Before you ask, he sold this rifle for a fast $10,,000. which I would have paid in a heartbeat if it were not in left hand configuration. If it were a standard right-hander it would have gone for at least another five grand, I've seen .22 rifles offered and sold for over $30.000 but with their value based on rarity and irreplaceable engraving artistry. Chuck's rifle is different in that it represents astonishing collaborations in exquisite workmanship and artistic concepts, beginning with conversion of a Winchester M-52 rifle to left hand operation and an unbelievable piece of wood. here

That is by far the most elegant 52 I've ever seen. Snooty Chuck sold it too cheap....I would have cleaned out half my collection to bank roll a shot at that one.

Beautiful photos....thanks for posting.

Trying to figure out how they re-shaped the receiver to mirror a factory RH look. Note how the left side is lower than the right....totally opposite of a right hand version. Maybe they made a new receiver from scratch. Serial number looks factory. Surprised they didn't put the safety on the left side as well.

A work of beauty and art to be sure.

Congrats Steve on thoughtful purchases. Looks like wise purchases to me. I have 4 Anschutz rifles (actually only 3, my 4th is in the mail), but all of mine are 17Mach2 and 17HMR. Based on that experience, I'm certain you'll be happy with the function........and beauty to boot!

Those prices would pause me too. The rifles are definitely beautiful and anyone would love to have one but the moment you mention that price "gives you pause" you're telling me that at least for you a $7K rifle (in any caliber) is probably not a wise purchase.
Just my two cents worth.

My favorite .22. I bought it after I retired in 2002. I could not afford it now….more than twice what I paid. Comes without sights. Anschutz 1827 biathlon target rifle..Fortner straight pull bolt.

Reading through this thread has made me come to the stark realization that I have made some really bad career choices. These are very beautiful rifles that have brought and will bring years of shooting joy, but I'm sure that I couldn't afford the iron sights on some of them. I need a "wayback machine" so that I can get a do-over.

A heavily optioned Cooper has long been my Holy Grail of rimfire rifles. Contrary to many opinions here, it makes far more sense to spend that kind of money on a rimfire that will see far more use than any centerfire. That said, the Anschutz you pictured would tug at me heavily. We know they shoot and the factory high end models don't really appeal to me with their Bavarian style stocks.

Milt1 said:

You may find that this exquisite looking rifle doesn't shoot any better than a stock Anschutz.

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Who cares???

whughett said:

How much accuracy does “bling” add. And who is going to take a 7K 22 squirrel hunting. No me but then……. I live on a fixed income.

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In a friggin' heartbeat! Believe it or not, there is more to a rifle than accuracy.

CraigC said:

A heavily optioned Cooper has long been my Holy Grail of rimfire rifles. Contrary to many opinions here, it makes far more sense to spend that kind of money on a rimfire that will see far more use than any centerfire. That said, the Anschutz you pictured would tug at me heavily. We know they shoot and the factory high end models don't really appeal to me with their Bavarian style stocks.



Who cares???



In a friggin' heartbeat! Believe it or not, there is more to a rifle than accuracy.

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Hey, I hear you man, how’s that saying go “If you got it flaunt it”. Griffin and Howe, Purdy, Parker the list goes on of gun makers that supplied a well heeled crowd and many of which still command a high end price after much use.

There's a LOT of hours involved with that "Masterpiece". I'd be afraid to take it outside and hunt with it. I might hurt it.

I strap a Movado to my wrist to go grocery shopping...and shooting...and for a hike. It wouldn’t bother me in the least to sit the woods with a finely crafted rifle and shoot it as the maker intended. I’d certainly take care not to damage it if possible but heck yeah I would hunt it.

"Flaunting" has nothing to do with it.

It would be an honor and a privilege to put dents, dings and scratches on such a fine rifle.

Skylerbone said:

I strap a Movado to my wrist to go grocery shopping...and shooting...and for a hike. It wouldn’t bother me in the least to sit the woods with a finely crafted rifle and shoot it as the maker intended. I’d certainly take care not to damage it if possible but heck yeah I would hunt it.

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I got one of those. Wife found it while shopping. It stopped working during the COVID craze. I keep forgetting to take it to a watch repair.

As mentioned and described in #82 on this thread, my former neighbor Snooty Chuck has decamped to another state. That was after having somewhat reduced his collection of custom made southpaw specific rifles and shotguns, including that spectacular .22 rifle that he let go for only a quick $10,000. (Which could have fetched another five grand had it been of right hand configuration.) But don't feel too sorry for poor Chuck because he took with him a few of his favorites, which which over the years he had brought over for me to see and photograph, including this all-southpaw .22 made for him by Dakota Arms. The pics say it all. If you are wondering if Snooty Chuck had any equally high end centerfire rifles, yes, lots of them, even more spectacular than his .22's..

My 1710 likes Lapua CenterX and, a little cheaper, SK Rifle match. Not cheap either way, but look how much our dang rifles cost. Good ammo is worth every penny.

Dale Alan: your timely “gun funding” reminds me of the ANG and AFRES airlift squadrons in the 1980s:

if they didn't fly X. allocated Hours (local trainers, "cross-countries" to Travis AFB, Lajes etc) in so many months, or a year, they could risk losing the same funding for the next year. Burn up that JP4 and per diem ---

* Buy a gun while some Princesses are feeling rather benevolent towards ...their.... Smelly, Lice-ridden, Uncouth Male Serfs. Never put off 'royally-sanctioned' ammo or a gun.