Rimfire Central Firearm Forum banner

Need help in trying to scope a new Winchester 52 B repro

3297 Views 74 Replies 17 Participants Last post by  budrichard
3
I have this model 52 for close to 20 years and have never shot it. I now wish to turn it into a 95% target gun, 5%hunting. Looking to shoot everywhere between 25-30 yards and long range & silhouette. Mostly 50 & 100 bench to see how far she will go. Bought a Hawke 6-24x56 30 SF thinking she would go on it but after looking it over it looks like it may not work, but if it does will need a serious cheek rest pad. I know the bolt handle issue is a problem on these but once I started the process I had no idea of just how frustrating
it was going to be. If..... if the scope doesn't work out on this gun it's really no big deal as I wish to get another high end .22 for strictly target and most of them come with the 60% handle. I am looking to mount a tactical variable scope with as much magnification as I can get (26-36) with focus & parallax down to the 25-30 yard range if possible and all the other bells and whistles (return to zero, locking, (lite reticle if option) if possible, great glass) I would say $1000 would be my limit.

The Hawke in the picture has a 30mm tube and front 56mm objective which clears the barrel by about a 1/4" with the burris bases and 8 glued pennies atop... but the bolt handle is VERY close and tough to see if she'll actually clear the bolt to use. SK was going to make the split bases and rings for this gun but when I sent him the pic she stated "won't work, get a different scope". Actually this setup "might" clear as is and I would just have to use a cheek rest pad as she is high but not sure if having like this is a realistic look/approach. (opinions pls) Just for reference the 8 glued pennies are .450 in hight. Owner at SK told me to do the penny trick and let him know as he can determine height by # of pennies. If I did go with SK then I would have to remove the burris bases. If things work out would SK be a good option for bases & rings or just stick with burris and ??
So, I'm not really sure what to do. Since this Hawke has a 30mm tube does that mean I must switch back to a 1" tube as I would assume it would have a smaller ocular lense which is really where the problem arises. Do they make other high magnification scopes with 30mm tubes like above that have a smaller ocular lense ? Granted the 56mm objective on current scope is big but she clears by 1/4 but if I had to downsize that end of the scope to get things to fit I would.

I just don't know who how much of a scope I can put on her to get her to clear the bolt handle and barrel.

If setting this scope up this high (like in pic) works should I go with it or does it look out of place ? It's really just the rubber ring on the ocular end of the scope that is close, not the tube. If it weren't for those rubber turning knobs the scope tube would clear easily and could be dropped down somewhat.

(lastest picture) I JUST MOVED THE SCOPE AS FAR FORWARD AS I THOUGHT THE RINGS WOULD ALLOW AND MAYBE THE BOLT HANDLE WILL CLEAR THE RUBBER KNOBS AND POSSIBLY ALLOW THE SCOPE TO DROP A SMALL BIT. Would anyone happen to know what rings (heigh) might work for the burris bases I have. I would like to get and assemble to see if my problem is not longer a problem.

Does anyone have any specific scopes they feel might better help the above problem. Would love to put a scope on her with the specs like the one I have ..... I just don't know
if it's possible.

I sure hope someone can help me.
Hand Air gun Gesture Trigger Shotgun

Attachments

See less See more
61 - 75 of 75 Posts
Of course it's not my rifle, but it seems to me the real problem is trying to use an ENORMOUS oversized scope on a nice light sporter. Kind of like trying to carry your living room recliner with you when going backpacking.:D

Put a Leupold 2.5-8x scope on that rifle and all the "problems" disappear.

Just sayin...

BRP
Okay, here's your magic number. IF you go with a 1" Leupold with the standard 1.56" diameter ocular, the bases and rings must place the bottom of the scope tube (the 1" portion) at least .655" above the top of the receiver for the bolt handle to clear the ocular. Just a few thousandths less, and it will touch.

ummmm..... sounds like you been do your arithmetic..... thanks. I have to admit after looking at them I really do like the Leupold vari-x scopes and their write ups are great to excellent. I did call Leupold and they advised they have a new model of that scope (New and improved) I believe he stated, however only in mat finish and it didn't come with a tactical reticle, just fine duplex.

Now It looks like I have two options and it will require some thought to come up with the best choice. First option is that do go with the Vari-x Leupold which should work.... but now it appears I have a second option. I called Brian from SK bases/rings and sent him that last pic of the gun scope advising I'm within a penny, maybe two, if I want to be absolutely sure. We agreed that if I sent my current Burris bases and with the Ext tall rings still attached with the correct nylon Burris ring inserts front and rear he could take some very accurate measurements and make a set of rings/bases to clear. So now I have to think of the best corse of action. As stated ..... I absolutely do want to buy another high end .22 LR or .22 Hornet so I will be needing a scope anyway for that (unless it comes with one) so instead of having a custom built ring/base set made by SK maybe I should just find a Leupold Vari-x which will work with what I have now and save the expense of having SK make me a custom set ...... and if they did then I would have my current set of rings & bases which most likely won't work on my next gun. The only problem is I would like to start shooting as soon as the weather breaks and I'm not sure just how long it will take to find a nice Leupold Vari-x III LRT 6.5-20x50. Any idea of a fair price for such scope ?
See less See more
Of course it's not my rifle, but it seems to me the real problem is trying to use an ENORMOUS oversized scope on a nice light sporter. Kind of like trying to carry your living room recliner with you when going backpacking.:D

Put a Leupold 2.5-8x scope on that rifle and all the "problems" disappear.

Just sayin...

BRP
I do agree BRParson but as I have mentioned before, this is not a long term setup..... I just want it for testing purposes only and once I have accomplished that I definitely plan on putting something on that is 100% appropriate.
I have an original 52B with a Weaver V16 on it in high rings and haven't ever had a problem with bolt clearance. That huge ocular lens scope you are mounting on your rifle is the source of all your problems IMO. Leupold, Bushnell Elite scopes, and several others have much smaller ocular bell ends and would fit without all these gymnastics IMO... If you have an acquaintance with a Leupold scope , see if you can sit it in your rings (1") and see how it works out. Even for long range rimfire target work a 1" scope in the right range will work fine. I use a 6.5 -20 Leupold on a couple of my rifles and a B&L 4200 6-24 on a couple others and they are excellent . If you need longer range, get the Burris rings with the inserts...
I have an original 52B with a Weaver V16 on it in high rings and haven't ever had a problem with bolt clearance. That huge ocular lens scope you are mounting on your rifle is the source of all your problems IMO. Leupold, Bushnell Elite scopes, and several others have much smaller ocular bell ends and would fit without all these gymnastics IMO... If you have an acquaintance with a Leupold scope , see if you can sit it in your rings (1") and see how it works out. Even for long range rimfire target work a 1" scope in the right range will work fine. I use a 6.5 -20 Leupold on a couple of my rifles and a B&L 4200 6-24 on a couple others and they are excellent . If you need longer range, get the Burris rings with the inserts...
It appears that there is a plethora of scopes that would solve my problem. I am, as we speak looking for a nice Leupold Vari-x 6.5-20x50. If anyone see's one out there that there not interested in please tap me on the shoulder. A friend of mine has one but I'm nervous about asking him to taking off his "working" gun for me to try...... and I already have the Burris rings that have the inserts but
they are the 30mm ones. It's not like my current scope will go to waste as I will just use it on the next gun. Nothing lost.....
  • Like
Reactions: 2
2
When scoping my Browning replica (which I know is a bit different) I intially installed a Weaver Grand Slam but quickly switched to a Weaver V-16 as I could get it lower, just my solution.



the large ocular forced higher rings to clear the bolt.



A much better look in my opinion, high bolt lift is something you just have to deal with in my opinion.
See less See more
  • Like
Reactions: 1
Okay, here's your magic number. IF you go with a 1" Leupold with the standard 1.56" diameter ocular, the bases and rings must place the bottom of the scope tube (the 1" portion) at least .655" above the top of the receiver for the bolt handle to clear the ocular. Just a few thousandths less, and it will touch.

ummmm..... sounds like you been do your arithmetic..... thanks. I have to admit after looking at them I really do like the Leupold vari-x scopes and their write ups are great to excellent. I did call Leupold and they advised they have a new model of that scope (New and improved) I believe he stated, however only in mat finish and it didn't come with a tactical reticle, just fine duplex.

Now It looks like I have two options and it will require some thought to come up with the best choice. First option is that do go with the Vari-x Leupold which should work.... but now it appears I have a second option. I called Brian from SK bases/rings and sent him that last pic of the gun scope advising I'm within a penny, maybe go two, if I want to be absolutely sure. We agreed that if I sent my current Burris bases with the Ext tall rings still attached with the correct nylon Burris ring inserts front and rear he could take some very accurate measurements and make a set of rings/bases to clear for sure. So now I have to think of the best corse of action. As stated ..... I absolutely do want to buy another high end .22 LR or .22 Hornet so I will be needing a scope anyway for that (unless it comes with one) so instead of having a custom built ring/base set made by SK maybe I should just find a Leupold Vari-x which will work with what I have now and save the expense of having SK make me a custom set ...... and if they did then I would have my current set of rings & bases which most likely won't work on my next gun. The only problem is I would like to start shooting as soon as the weather breaks and I'm not sure just how long it will take to find a Leupold Vari-x III 6.5-20x50.
See less See more
I had a problem obtaining two of these 116550 bases, as I purchased a set of Leupold bases that contained two different bases, and upon contacting Leupold, they sent the second base so I could mount the scope. You may try contacting Leupold directly to see if they will sell you the two bases you need. I love the look and function of these bases, clean looking and the double dove tail is a fantastic base to ring design. I would suggest you read this thread from two years ago: (3) Winch 52 Re-Issue Scope Mount | Rimfire Central Firearm Forum
Littlecooner, thanks for the link above ..... I just finished reading it. Question: I know that the 116550 is the lower of the two bases in the set (55046) for the Model 70, but do you know if they are offered in Gloss as I only see matte finish ?
“Of course it's not my rifle, but it seems to me the real problem is trying to use an ENORMOUS oversized scope on a nice light sporter. Kind of like trying to carry your living room recliner with you when going backpacking.:D

Most excellent analogy…
  • Haha
Reactions: 1
I have a Weaver V24 on mine and it mounted without issue. It's even reasonably low and the bolt handle clears just fine
  • Helpful
  • Like
Reactions: 2
And those Weaver V24 and V16 scopes are great scopes.
  • Like
Reactions: 2
3
Well, FINALLY..... the saga has ended. I was going to call SK and have them make me a set of bases & rings for the 30mm Hawke now that I was just a cat "whisker" away from a functioning bolt but a nice 1" Bausch & Lomb 24x 40mm Target scope in gloss with fine duplex which I like fell into my lap in mint like new condition so as a last ditch effort I ordered a set of extra tall gloss Leopold rings. Well, the good news is the bolt clears by light years and I might even be able to drop a size in rings. That is great as I now have room for a 50mm objective scope should I choose down the road. The 24x will definitely give me the opportunity to benchrest this gun to see what she can do but squirrel hunting is now out of the question. I want to thank all who chimed in with their helpful posts, very much appreciated.
Brown Window Wood Building Brickwork
Brown Window Wood Building Brickwork
Air gun Wood Trigger Shotgun Gun barrel
Brown Window Wood Building Brickwork
Air gun Wood Trigger Shotgun Brick
Air gun Wood Trigger Shotgun Gun barrel
Air gun Wood Trigger Shotgun Brick
See less See more
Depending on how well my Springfield M2 and I shoot and how much I enjoy trying to shoot PRS will determine if I scope my M52 PreA as it has a much better trigger than the M2’s Timney. But what I posted about was the velcro on cheek pouch that I put on my M2. I have several, with and without pouches, they can easily be built up to raise the comb to put your eye in the right spot.
Air gun Wood Trigger Shotgun Gun barrel
See less See more
2
Using a scope with a smaller ocular bell (or whatever it's called) would help you with the clearance



Then there's always the option to change the bend of the bolt
See less See more
You are trying to make a”Silk Purse” out of your Win 52B!
While the 52B is not a “Sow’s Ear’ it is not configured for Bench Rest serious shooting for reasons you have found out. The Browning re-issue has a higher comb to cope with this issue.
At 50 yds a high mag scope will not get you better results anyway.
Put a scope that suits your squirrel hunting as I did and then use for BR shooting.
I always put an EFR scope on my squirrel rifles for the 15yd shots.
My Win 52B wears a Leupold 3-9 EFR with High/extra high rings, I forgot which I ended up with!
Bolt just clears.
Good luck!
61 - 75 of 75 Posts
Top