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#197325 07/27/10 05:22 PM
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james-l Offline OP
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I have a project I am thinking about but not really sure of its practicality. Several years ago a friend brought a Model 52B Winchester by for me to look at, some one had attempted a conversion to a 243 Winchester. They had fitted a barrel and converted the bolt head to centerfire. I informed J.J. That he had a bomb waiting to explode, I ended up with the gun. Although I have accumulated the parts to convert it back to 22lr I am wondering if it would be safe to make into a 22Hornet. The lockup looks to be better than a Model 43 Winchester. What do you guys think, forget about it, or what the hell you can't hurt it.

Jim A.


I learn something every day, and a lot of times it's that what I learned the day before was wrong

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The action was not designed to be anything but a 22 RF. It is a classy action. Since you have the parts, build it into anything you like, from a dedicated target rifle to a very high end sporter. But then I'm a 22 RF enthusiast.

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I am doing this off the top of my head, I am not a mechanical engineer, and I didn't sleep in a Holiday Inn last night. Such things are not unknown, I believe Anschutz sold Hornets and even .222's built on their 54 action, but this project is probably beyond where a home builder would want to go. The Hornet operates at more than twice the pressure level (22RF is higher than most people think) and has a significantly larger case head area which means more back thrust at that higher pressure level. Even if the action lug area is adequate, how about the steel and hardening? My father had a new 52C develop a headspace problem in about 1960 and it had to be sent back to the factory to be repaired.

There is also the liability concern, both legal and moral. In the single shot world I see people all the time using weak actions and saying they know what they are doing and won't overload them. Those people will die someday and who knows if the next owner will be so cautious. We don't have proof houses or requirements in this country, so you can do what you want, but I would leave it a .22RF.

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Jim,

The Win 52B would be considered an entry level 22lr bench rest gun today. They are nice actions. It would be better to go back to 22lr and outfit it with a nice stock. It would make just a great squirrel rifle. Having stated that, you may also want to take a look at the 17 HMR.

Pete


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