Winchester Model 52-B

So ive been working on a trade deal recently and as it comes down to it, I want to know a bit more about this gun before I bite. A guy in my area has a Winchester Model 52-B heavy barrel. It has a diopter/globe sight, as well as a Unertl scope. The gun is set up for 3 or 4 position shooting and has the shoulder hook, a palm rest and some other stuff as well. Also included is a case for the rifle and the scope.

In my limited research, I understand that this is a very fine rifle, but given its age and high quality (above what Im accustomed to in my collection), I dont know much about the particulars.

I very much enjoy shooting my super accurate CMP Daisy 853 with the globe sights, so Im sure Id enjoy this rifle.

WHich brings me to my reservation. The guy initially asked over $1600 for the rifle, which according to my blue book online, seemed fair for a 52-B plus the Unertl scope (assuming its not broken). I offered a Springfield Stainless Loaded Champion for trade and he was interested but wanted 600 on top of that. I countered with the Springer and my 1970s 870 police topfolder. That was countered with those 2 and 200.

Now ive recently started a new job now that Im out of college, and cash can be short at times, but it seems that this is a good opportunity to get a gun that would normally be out of reach for me.

What say you guys on the Model 52 and what would seem like a fair trade value to you?

Is this guy way high on his price and Im a sucker or is this a good deal and should I end up not wanting it, are there buyers out there for this kind of rifle?

well I was wanting a heavy .308, but I figured that maybe this will scratch that itch without breaking the ammo budget and making me reload yet another caliber

Thanks for the insight fellas

I think Im going to bite. I countered a bit once more (cant help myself, I love the haggle almost as much as the guns) but even if he refuses, Ill take it at the asking price.

I think the deal is sealed...I will keep you guys posted

Well, the 52-B came home with me. It was a little rougher than I thought, but upon further inspection, it was all just surface grime and a little rust, nothing some CLP and elbow grease couldnt take care of.

It didnt' come with a magazine, but only the single shot adapter.

It seems the previous owner stored the rifle in its wooden case, and Im sure the case isn't great at keeping out moisture.

The gun has some dings and scratches, it was obviously someones positional small bore rifle.

It has a Redfield International Aperture and Globe sight, 2 apertures, and several different front sight inserts, a few metal ones and several clear plastic ones.

The J. Unertl scope had a bit of surface rust on it from sitting uncleaned for a long time but I managed to clean most all of it off. It has 2 eyepieces, different powers I guess. I don't really know much about this scope, and I was hoping one of you experts could clue me in on its use.

The stock has a barrel band right at the end of the fore end with a cone shaped screw, what I guess is a tuning screw.

It has a Al Freeman palm rest, a moveable sling mount, and a shoulder hook that can replace the serrated metal butt pad.

I haven't gotten to shoot it yet, but I am really excited to get it on paper to see what it can do. I only have Win M-22, Federal Bulk, and Rem GoldenGarbage on hand, but I suppose getting some Eley and Wolf Match is in order.

Heres a bunch of pictures now that ive cleaned it up


Sorry about the huge pictures, here is a link to the album. I took the pics with my phone, didnt think they would be that big

http://imgur.com/a/XxxBj#Zd521zw

...

mines about 14 with the scope according to my precision bathroom scale

Well, heres the first target I shot with the 52, using Winchester M-22. It was nearly dark, and the peep was almost impossible to see thru, but some pretty good groups were had just leaning on the back of my truck at 25m



Tomorrow Im going to put it on the bench and see what it can really do.

Im sure its capable of far better. A dealer friend of mine is going to get some eley for me to try out soon too.

Alrighty, so I finally got a chance to shoot the 52 in the daylight when I could actually see through the sights, shooting from prone with a front bag.

Using the aperture and globe, I was able to shoot some pretty respectable groups using Win M-22 bulk ammo. The groups could probably tighten up if I used round targets, since the globe sight is designed to use concentric circles to align precisely, but the redcoats is all I have at the moment.



Then I installed the 20x Unertl.



5 shots at each target




I guess it shoots pretty well

This was all at 25 yards. Ill move to 50 and 100 in future reports.