Please recommend a scope for win. 52

[labradigger1]

Hi, I bought a very nice and very unmolested Winchester 52 Thursday night.
The rifle has the scope that was probably originally installed on it, an R.A. Litscher 10x complete with micrometer mounts and screw on caps. The mrs. And myself took it to our range today for some target time. We were using cheap win. M22 and a handful of different bullets.
After a few shots to sight it in we were both cutting holes w/o even trying at fifty yds. @100 yds we were both about a quarter size group with about a 10-15 mph cross wind.
I am considering modern optics for this rifle. Something clearer and something with really fine cross hairs.
There is nothing wrong with the litscher and I will probably install it on my no. 2 rrb in 25-20 SS.
What do you all use or recommend? The factory drilled mounts on the 1949 m52 are pretty far apart and I do not want to drill new holes as the rifle is very nice.
I don't want to spend stupid money but I am thinking along the lines of a vx3 leupold or close to it.
This rifle deserves good optics but no way will I drill the gun.
This thing can really shoot! I've never shot anything like it before.
Any help or reccomendations are appreciated.
Lab

[jsizemore]

Any of the EFR Leupolds or T series Weavers. The V series Weavers are pretty good but don't have as good adjustment parts and pieces. Most scopes adjustable objectives don't go below 50 yards.

[Doc Highwall]

My vote goes for the Leupold VariX III 6.5X-20X EFR scope. I have two of them and they will focus down to under 50 feet and with the scope at 20X will allow you to see your bullet holes 90% of the time at 100 yards.

With the scope on 6.5 power you can shoot off hand, and the 20 power can be used off the bench or prone.

Get the one with the target knobs.

[Mk42gunner]

I have never really messed with a scope mounted on target blocks screwed to the barrel, but I think that is what you are stuck with on that rifle; if I am reading your post correctly. Made in 1949 I doubt it has grooves for scope mounting, (did any Model 52 actually have grooves?) and since you state you are not going to drill the receiver, there aren't many durable options left.

You might be able to use a modern epoxy to hold scope bases on the receiver without drilling, but I would be afraid a sharp knock might knock the bond loose after a few temperature cycles. The upside to using an epoxy is you can heat the base with a propane torch to remove them with no damage to the rifle.

Robert

[labradigger1]

I have never really messed with a scope mounted on target blocks screwed to the barrel, but I think that is what you are stuck with on that rifle; if I am reading your post correctly. Made in 1949 I doubt it has grooves for scope mounting, (did any Model 52 actually have grooves?) and since you state you are not going to drill the receiver, there aren't many durable options left.

You might be able to use a modern epoxy to hold scope bases on the receiver without drilling, but I would be afraid a sharp knock might knock the bond loose after a few temperature cycles. The upside to using an epoxy is you can heat the base with a propane torch to remove them with no damage to the rifle.

Robert

This concerns me as well. The distance between the mounts is greater than most scopes are long. You are correct as it does not have grooves (dovetail like most 22's). The only way I can think to make modern optics work is to use a long piccatany rail but I'm unsure how to make up the for the "drop" at the barrel mount.
Surely members here have encountered this issue before a d have a way around this. This is why I love this family, so much knowledge here.
It's not that the litscher spot shot is bad, it works great. If this is what I need to keep I will still be satisfied.

[jsizemore]

BKL makes various adapters to get from where you are to where you want to go. Burris and Weaver T's have long tubes so may accommodate your 52 situation.

[Mitch]

I have a pair of 52Ds is there anything else but period correct scopes that look and work great on these rifles

[jsizemore]

A big honkin' Nightforce if you got the money. A Unertl does look good on them.

[Artful]

So does it look like this?
http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w201/SVT-40/22%20Caliber%20rifles/DSC05725-1.jpg (http://s177.photobucket.com/user/SVT-40/media/22%20Caliber%20rifles/DSC05725-1.jpg.html)

If it was me I'd look for a chunk of undrilled Picatinny 1913 railing and match the bottom to the contour of the barrel and see about drilling to use the original holes you have.

Scope, you can't go wrong with Leupold, Nightforce or Vortex if you got the money.

http://www.bkltech.com/default.asp

18" of rail available thru brownells...
http://www.brownells.com/userdocs/skus/l_100003788_1.jpg
http://www.brownells.com/optics-mounting/scope-bases/rifle-bases/picatinny-rail-blank-prod26705.aspx

If you have to go crazy
https://alcobrametals.com/product/APIC-15327
up to 96" of Picatinny Rail Extrusion (you have to cut slots and finish).
https://alcobrametals.com/imgs/shapes/picrail_group.jpg

On some of the 52's there were tapped holes for receiver sights - does yours have that feature?

[Mitch]

Ken Viani makes mounts for several bench rest rifles I have one for my 52 D but have not put it on yet.here is a bit of info ohttp://personal.swayzee.com/jayb/Viani/n kens mounts.He uses holes that are already there.the rear peep mount holes and the rear set of holes on the barrel. I think there is more info on these mounts over on rimfire central.

ArtFul nice looking pair of 52s B and a C ?and yep they sure do look great with the unertl style scopes.I have 20X unertl on both mine.i still have not figured out how to post a pic. I believe the only 52s with dri;lled and taped recievers was the last edition the model E

[Doc Highwall]

Another option is you could mount a old Redfield 3200 scope with rings made for the scope blocks like these from Steve Earle.

http://www.steveearleproducts.com/

[labradigger1]

I am now thinking I may just keep the original litscher scope and mounts. All of my research shows an extended piccatiny rail and just looks wrong for the rifle.
Thank you all for the great info.
Lab

[labradigger1]

So does it look like this?
http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w201/SVT-40/22%20Caliber%20rifles/DSC05725-1.jpg[/URL

If it was me I'd look for a chunk of undrilled Picatinny 1913 railing and match the bottom to the contour of the barrel and see about drilling to use the original holes you have.

Scope, you can't go wrong with Leupold, Nightforce or Vortex if you got the money.

http://www.bkltech.com/default.asp (http://s177.photobucket.com/user/SVT-40/media/22%20Caliber%20rifles/DSC05725-1.jpg.html)

18" of rail available thru brownells...
http://www.brownells.com/userdocs/skus/l_100003788_1.jpg
[URL]http://www.brownells.com/optics-mounting/scope-bases/rifle-bases/picatinny-rail-blank-prod26705.aspx

If you have to go crazy
https://alcobrametals.com/product/APIC-15327
up to 96" of Picatinny Rail Extrusion (you have to cut slots and finish).
https://alcobrametals.com/imgs/shapes/picrail_group.jpg

On some of the 52's there were tapped holes for receiver sights - does yours have that feature?


Artful, min is like the top photo, barrel blocks and unertl micrometer mounts. 52 b suffix.

[Mitch]

just a word to the wise.if you decide to get a different unertl style scope leand what they are all about many of them have bad opticts.the coating on the lenses goes bad and make the scope a bit blury.there are no new or replacement lenses.that said it the one you have in nice and clear you already know what a good one will do.My one unertl is clead as can be the other I was not so lucky when I bought it.No matter what scope you decide on the 52 is still a top of the line rifle.happy shooting they are great fun printing them little groups er one hole on paper
Bob