Do you guys think its possible to make a Hunter Class rifle from a 52C? Was wondering if the action was too heavy to build from.

I have just become interested in the sport, shot my first match last weekend and would like to get into it as much as I can. I have a bubba'ed up Standard Target in a Fajen stock just laying around, and was wondering if I could put it to use. Its accurate as heck.

My idea was to turn the barrel down and put it in a McMillian stock, hopefully getting a good rifle for less than the cost of a 1712.

What do you think?

-Rex

PS. Hi to all btw. I have lurked around for a while but this is my first post.

It sounds to me you have the makings of a good sporter. If you have the ability to machine the barrel to the right shape, you should be able to get it to make weight. If you are not familiar, the weight limit is 8.5 lbs. The trigger is a 2lb minimum. What I would suggest is to find the exact weight of the proposed stock + the weight of the scope/mounts and calculate how much weight you need to take off. That would help you to understand how likely your idea is.

Glad to hear of a new person in the sport!
Jerry

I would consider selling what you have, and looking for a used Anschutz.
You can probably get a used Anschutz 1416 for a couple hundred more than the McMillian stock. Then you have a really viable turn key gun to see if you like the game. If you like silhouette, you can trade the 1416 for a 1700 series at a nominal money loss. If you don't like silhouette, again you can get back your investment or use the gun to slay squirrels. The 52C route looks like a project, when you should be shooting. Again, that is just one way to look at it.

Where's Innocent? I'm surprised she hasn't told you 9 ways to do it. She must be sick or sumpin'. MARY, where are you?

Hi Guys, thanks for the response.

ter, I shot my first match this weekend, but I have been practicing for two years. I LOVE SILHOUETTE!

Anyway, I shot with my old 54 sporter but I like it better with a lighter trigger, so I was looking for something else. If I understand the other posts, it seems that the 52 has a too heavy reciever for Hunter, maybe its more suited to standard rifle? Dont know.

One reason I asked this question here is that I thought I had read a year or so ago that Evelio built a winning rifle off of the 52. But maybe I was wrong.

Wish I could just pay cash for that 1710 thats on GB right now, it would simplify the search. Two grand is a bunch though.

There is always the CZ's. They are reasonable priced and I have heard there are after-market triggers that can be installed now. I have an older CZ-452 American and it shoots great. The trigger is its only problem. It is easily adjusted to a nice weight but it still has creep in it. There are ways I could have modified it to help that but, I often use it before a match as a trainer. If you using the trigger properly with that rifle, you are going to miss alot.

If you have a higher budget, there are the Anschutz Model 64's too.

I am sure there are a few other good suggestions out there tto. I have not made a giant study of different rifles but I do have personal interaction with the CZ & Anschutz.

Jerry

If you have a 54 sporter you are in good shape. Depending on the age of he rifle, you could get a nice trigger. If you are interested in that direction, Neal Stepp at ISS can lay out the options if you give him the serial number. Sometimes it is a just a spring and a turn of a few screws to transform the factory setup. Again depending on the vintage, he may be able to swap in or convert your trigger to the 1712 two stage configuration. Nothing wrong with shooting a lighter gun with a light trigger in the standard class. As long as you like the feel of the gun it will be tons of fun.
http://www.iss-internationalshootersservice.com/

Rex
The 52 wether a C or B can be modified to make weight in the hunter class. The barrel should be already tapered, it will have to be cut down and re-crown, and of course it will require a different stock, preferably a Pharr, if they ever become available again.
Evelio.

Hi guys,

ter, My 54 is a '72 model. I have been told by folks who supposedly know that I can not convert it to two stage, but I have not called Neil either. Will do that, thanks for the advice. As it exists, it is legal for our local match, but not for NRA matches because the trigger pull is 1.5 or so. I do not like the trigger at all at 2 lbs.

Evelio, that is interesting to hear. My barrel is the Standard Target, it has been cut to 22" but is .750 at the muzzle. It is breaking 9 lbs scoped with a B. 4200. I had thought to have the existing barrel contoured to approximate a 1710. And yeah, a Pharr would be awesome. Can that be done? I have asked several smiths to put it in a McMillan FWT, but no one will try it. Is this possible? Shoot me a PM if you are intested in taking on the project. Or email ([email protected]).

Thanks all,

Rex

Uh-Oh - another Evelio addict in the making...

Rex
I have mounted several 52's in Pharr stocks, the problem right now is the availability of the stocks.
If the Mc Millan stock is a flat top, yes it can be inletted for the 52, if it is already inletted for a 1712 I would have to compare all dimensions before I can say, if it can be use. I am going out of town for a match tomorrow, will know more details by Monday.
If your barrel is now tapered ( suppose to be ) it can be use as is.
Evelio.

Evelio, The barrel does taper slightly from roughly .9 to .75, but it seems entirely too heavy. I was thinking a taper to .6 or .65 would be better. The McMillan would be brand new, non-inletted. Not sure about the flat top. I look forward to hearing more details after you get back. Good luck, btw.

SqHunter wrote:Hi guys,
ter, My 54 is a '72 model. I have been told by folks who supposedly know that I can not convert it to two stage, but I have not called Neil either. Will do that, thanks for the advice. As it exists, it is legal for our local match, but not for NRA matches because the trigger pull is 1.5 or so. I do not like the trigger at all at 2 lbs.
Rex

I am told that the earlier sporters can not be converted to the two stages configuration. I read on rimfire central, that the 1712 trigger will not fit the older 1422. So as far as I know, you have a excellent gun that you really can't change.

Maybe I am misunderstanding your goals, but I think you have the solution in your hand. The 54 sporter is legal with the lighter trigger in NRA matches. It just has to be shot in the standard gun class, not the hunter gun. So, the gun is legal under the rules. The standard gun is 10 pounds 2 ounces max, and any safe trigger pull. Your sporter fits that condition.

I think the Winchester 52 as a heavy gun is really a cool project, but projects seem to take a long time to finish. (I am lucky to have two 52D models myself). Personally I am shooting a 1712 in a Pharr stock this season. I had it for about 3 years, and I really never got accustomed to the feel. This year, I seem to like it, but I still have issues with the very large grip. I am told the Nesika Bay pattern is smaller in the grip, so I would like to get hold of one of those for a prolonged test. So I think there are two points to this ramble, you may want to test drive a Pharr Stock for a while before investing your time in the project, and Nesika may be another stock option choice. Good luck, you have some great options to consider.

Must be Mary's sick.... I can't believe she hasn't jumped in on a Winchester topic

Ter, this project is a year old already

Maybe I should clarify, I am a hunter first, shooting silhouette as training and fun. Not to say that I am not semi serious (I shoot roughly 300 rds a week in silhouette practice). My 54 is a hunting rifle, but I did use it successfully in our local match. I do wish I could use it in the NRA light class, but its a beautiful, elegant tool as it is set up and I dont wont to ruin it by bumping up the trigger. I may have to though.

My goal for this year is to attend as many regional NRA matches as I can. And as the 8.5 lb class more approximates squirrel rifles, that is the class I think I should particpate in. As you say, I can use my 54 in the Standard Class, but I am thinking I will not be competitive against the heavy rifles. I know I can outshoot it with my 52 which weighs over 9 lbs in its current state.

That is really my only complaint with the NRA, who makes the rules? If they think you can be a first class squirrel hunter with a crappy 2 lb trigger they need to try again. It seems to me you could get by with a heavier trigger on the big 9.5 lb guns better than the little 7 lb wands.

But maybe you are right, the solution may be to do nothing and just go shoot where I can with what I have. That is a good idea, I think I will just go shoot some turkeys. Y'all have a good day