Winchester 52B .22 Caliber Bolt Action Rifle Instruction Manual

							This is one of the famous line of Winchester
World Standard arms. As one of the Classic
Traditions models you can expect the same
quality and satisfaction as with the original
historic Model 52B introduced in 1919. And,
as with the original, youll appreciate its
economy of design, quick handling properties
and smooth functioning.
IMPORTANT INSTRUCTIONS 
FOR
MODEL 52B
.22 CALIBER BOLT ACTION RIFLE
U.S. REPEATING ARMS COMPANY, INC.
275 Winchester Avenue
New Haven, CT, U.S.A. 06511-1970
Administrative Offices:
275 Winchester Avenue, 
Morgan, UT, U. S. A. 84050-9333
Winchester trademarks licensed from Olin Corporation.  
						

							Contents Page
Gun safety warnings  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3
General features  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6
General description  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8
Terminology and descriptions  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8
Serial number  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10
Ammunition  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10
General operation   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11
Initial cleaning  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11
Oiling the action  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11
Operation of the safety . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12
Cocking indicator  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12
Inserting and removing the bolt  . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13
Loading  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16
Unloading . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18
Trigger System  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19
Forearm adjustment screw  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20
Scope mount and sights  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20
Cleaning and maintenance suggestions  . . . . . . . . .21
Ordering parts  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26
Service or repair  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Questions & Winchester.com  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27
1
New gun ownerÕs record.
Use the space below to record information about your new
Winchester Model 52B rifle.
Serial Number ____________________________________
Caliber __________________________________________
Grade ___________________________________________
Purchase Price ____________________________________
Purchased From ___________________________________
Date of Purchase __________________________________
Winchester trademarks licensed from Olin Corporation
Made in USA. Printed in Japan.
©1997 ¥ 
KP982/97360 
						

							GUNSAFETYWARNINGS
IT IS ESSENTIAL THAT THESE OPERATING
INSTRUCTIONS BE THOROUGHLY STUD-
IED BEFORE USING THIS FIREARM TO
ASSURE PROPER AND SAFE GUN HAN-
DLING. FAILURE TO FOLLOW THESE
INSTRUCTIONS OR FAILURE TO OBEY
ANY SAFETY WARNING MAY RESULT IN
INJURY TO YOURSELF OR OTHERS, OR
CAUSE DAMAGE TO YOUR GUN. 
As a gun owner, you accept a set of demanding
responsibilities. How seriously you take these respon-
sibilities can be the difference between life and death.
There is no excuse for careless or abusive handling of
any firearm. At all times handle your rifle and any
other firearm with intense respect for its power and
potential danger.
PLEASE READ AND UNDERSTAND ALL OF
THE CAUTIONS, PROPER HANDLING PRO-
CEDURES AND INSTRUCTIONS OUTLINED
IN THIS BOOKLET BEFORE USING YOUR
NEW FIREARM.
1. Do not carry a loaded gun with a live round in the
chamber while walking, running, climbing a tree,
crossing a fence or anywhere you might slip or fall,
drop the gun or otherwise bump or jar the gun. A gun
that is dropped, bumped, or jarred with a chambered
round might accidentally discharge even with the
safety on, causing serious injury to you or someone
else. When a round is chambered keep the safety on
until you are ready to shoot.
2. Do not rely on the safety to prevent accidental dis-
charge. Many safeties merely block the trigger and
prevent firing by pulling the trigger. The safety may
not prevent an accidental discharge due to dropping,
3
MODEL52B BOLTACTION22 RIMFIRE
The Model 52 is what legends are made of. Your
Model 52B offers the accuracy you want in a rimfire
bolt action. It has the  renowned Micro Motion trig-
ger system. Producing a trigger system like this is
labor intensive and requires extraordinary precision.
Watch-like part fits like you see in a 52B are rare in
these modern days. The match chamber adds further
to the 52Õs exceptional accuracy. You may have
already noticed how smooth and effortless it is to
work the bolt. The magazine system, with its five shot
capacity, is easy to operate and very reliable . . . just
like on the originals.
The history behind the Model 52 is equally extraordi-
nary. It first appeared in 1919 and was shot at the
National Rifle Matches that very year. It was a
favorite of returning veterans after World War I
because of its bolt action design that utilized a remov-
able magazine. Many consider it one of the most sig-
nificant factors in the growth of small-bore target
shooting in the United States.
2 
						

							ous injury in case of an accidental discharge. Never
load in the house or in your vehicle.
12. Never shoot at a hard, flat surface or at the sur-
face of water to avoid a ricochet and possible serious
personal injury to yourself or a bystander.
13. Store your gun in a clean, dry place out of the
reach of children and separated from stored ammuni-
tion.
14. Never alter any parts of your gun. Any alterations
or adjustments that may become necessary to the
operating mechanism should be performed by a quali-
fied gunsmith.
15. Hunting from elevated surfaces such as tree stands
is dangerous. Doing so may increase the risk of han-
dling any firearm. Always make certain that the stand
being used is safe, sturdy and stable. Always make
certain your firearm is unloaded when it is being
taken up and down from the stand. Always make cer-
tain that your firearm is not dropped from the stand
or dropped while it is being taken up or down from
the stand.
16. Discharging firearms in poorly ventilated areas,
cleaning firearms, or handling ammunition may result
in exposure to lead and other substances known to
cause birth defects, reproductive harm and other 
serious physical injury. Have adequate ventilation at
all times. Wash hands thoroughly after exposure.
5
jarring, or bumping a gun.
3. Use only ammunition for which the gun is cham-
bered as indicated on the barrel, to prevent excessive
pressure and possible serious personal injury.
4. Incorrectly reloaded ammunition can cause serious
personal injury and damage to the firearm due to
excessive pressure. Reload only after proper instruc-
tion and in strict compliance with instruction and
data contained in current reloading manuals.
5. Never point a gun at anything you do not intend
to shoot. Always keep it pointed in a safe direction in
case of accidental discharge.
6. Always check to ensure that the barrel is free of
obstructions before loading and using the gun. If you 
experience light recoil or off sound, check the barrel
for an obstruction.
7. Before firing, clean any grease or oil out of barrel
with cleaning rod and patch. Grease or heavy accu-
mulation of oil can cause excessive pressure and result
in serious personal injury.
8. Keep barrel, chamber and action free of rust. Rust
in the barrel and chamber can cause excessive pres-
sures resulting in serious injury. A rusted, pitted or
eroded barrel should be replaced.
9. Use hearing protection to prevent ear damage from
repeated exposure to gunfire.
10. Always use proper shooting glasses to prevent eye
injury from flying particles.
11. Never carry a loaded gun in a motor vehicle or
carry one into a dwelling. Always carefully unload
the gun before entering a motor vehicle, a dwelling or
an area such as a camp. Always point a gun in a safe
direction while loading or unloading to prevent seri-
4 
						

							7
FIGURE1
The heart of the Model 52B is its incredible
trigger system. Over the years the name
ÒMicro Motion TriggerÓ has become syn-
onymous with accuracy. The rear of the receiver is drilled and
tapped for mounting a peep sight. The
plain barrel can be fitted with a front
sight by a gunsmith, if you so desire.
The in-line, curved magazine offers reliable
feeds. The button on the right side releases
the magazine for re-filling.Low profile swivel attach-
ments just like early versions
of half a century ago.
The magazine release button is conveniently
placed on the side of the stock, just below the
ejection port. 
The forearm adjustment screw lets you
apply pressure or force against the underside
of the barrel in order to maximize accuracy.
6
MODEL52B FEATURES
The stock is of beautifully fin-
ished selected walnut, careful-
ly cut checkered.
FIGURE1
The receiver top is drilled and
tapped for scope mounts. This
is a rifle with accuracy truly
worthy of the finest scopes. 
The Model 52BÕs Micro Motion
trigger system is famous for its
smooth, crisp let-off.  The thumb-operated safety is con-
veniently located on the right side
of the receiver, just forward of the
bolt handle. A cocking indicator on the rear end
of the bolt makes it easy to deter-
mine your rifles cocking status. 
						

							The Model 52B comes with the receiver drilled and
tapped to accept commercially available rear peep
sights and scope mounts. A two-piece scope mount
base and high scope mount rings are available as ac-
cessories. (Front sights must be installed by a quali-
fied gunsmith.)
TERMINOLOGY ANDDESCRIPTIONS
Descriptions in this booklet generally refer to the gun
in the horizontal position. That is, in the normal fir-
ing position. For example, the muzzle is forward or
front; the butt stock is rearward or rear; the trigger is
downward or underneath; the sights are upward or on
top. Figure 1 covers the general features and benefits
of the Model 52B design.
For general parts terminology, refer to Figure 2A and
2B. With the exception of magazine disassembly, fig-
ure 2A also shows the Model 52B disassembled to the
extent necessary in order to follow instructions con-
tained in this book. 
Throughout this manual the ÒactionÓ refers to the
9
FIGURE2A
Muzzle
Fore-endFore-end tip Barrel
GENERALDESCRIPTION
Your new Winchester Model 52B is a reproduction of
the original Model 52B ÒSportingÓ bolt action. It fea-
tures the highly regarded trigger system. Other fea-
tures of the Model 52B include the side safety, the
black forearm tip, the special quick-release swivel
mounts on the forearm and stock, and the conve-
nient five-shot removable magazine (additional spare
magazines can be purchased from your Winchester
firearms dealer). 
8
FIGURE2A
Magazine 
Buttplate
Ejection Port
Trigger  Buttstock
ReceiverBolt
Safety
Extractor Cocking indicator
Magazine release button Bolt
Bolt handle
FIGURE2B 
						

							GENERALOPERATION
The Model 52B is a bolt action rifle that operates by
lifting the bolt handle, drawing the bolt rearward and
then sliding the bolt forward and rotating the bolt
downward until it locks into battery position. This
process takes a cartridge from the magazine and loads
it into the chamber for firing. 
CAREFULLY READ THE FOLLOWING PRO-
CEDURES BEFORE ATTEMPTING TO
SHOOT YOUR MODEL 52B RIFLE.
INITIALCLEANING
BEFORE THE FIRST FIRING, CLEAN THE
BORE WITH A CLEANING ROD & PATCH.
ALSO, CLEAN THE ANTI-RUST COM-
POUND FROM THE INSIDE OF THE RE-
CEIVER WITH A CLEAN RAG AND LIGHT
GUN OIL. SEE ÒCARE AND CLEANINGÓ
LATER IN THIS MANUAL. 
OILING THE ACTION
Before the first firing you should wipe the mechanism
completely clean, clean the bore and apply a few
drops of oil on the following surfaces: 
¥ Along the breech bolt surface and where the sleeve
contacts the breech bolt.
¥ Along the breech bolt surfaces on the receiver
where the bolt contacts the receiver as it is worked.
Avoid applying too much oil. Only a light film is
necessary. Cleaning and Maintenance Suggestions
should be followed before each oiling.
11
mechanism of this rifle which loads and secures the
cartridges in the chamber.
SERIALNUMBER
The serial number can be found on the right hand
side of the receiver. Record the serial number at the
front of this book for future reference.
AMMUNITION
The caliber of your Model 52B is inscribed on left
side of the barrel, toward the receiver. 
The Model 52B must be used only with .22 Long
Rifle cartridges. It is unsafe to attempt loading mag-
num cartridges in a rifle designed for Long Rifle car-
tridges.
U.S. Repeating Arms Co. can assume no responsibili-
ty for incidents which occur through use of cartridges
of nonstandard dimension or those developing pres-
sures in excess of SAAMI (Sporting Arms and
Ammunition ManufacturerÕs Institute) established
standards.
Winchester ammunition is always an excellent
choice for your new Winchester rifle, delivering the
unmatched performance and dependability you want.
DISCHARGING FIREARMS IN POORLY 
VENTILATED AREAS, CLEANING
FIREARMS, OR HANDLING AMMUNITION
MAY RESULT IN EXPOSURE TO LEAD AND
OTHER SUBSTANCES KNOWN TO CAUSE
BIRTH DEFECTS, REPRODUCTIVE HARM
AND OTHER SERIOUS PHYSICAL INJURY.
HAVE ADEQUATE VENTILATION AT ALL
TIMES. WASH HANDS THOROUGHLY
AFTER EXPOSURE.
10 
						

							INSERTING ANDREMOVING THEBOLT
INSERTING THE BOLTÑ
The Model 52 rifle comes packaged with the bolt re-
moved from the rifle. It is necessary to insert the bolt
into the receiver. 
WARNING: REMOVE THE MAGAZINE AND
MAKE   SURE THE RIFLE IS FULLY UN-
LOADED BEFORE PROCEEDING.
To insert the bolt the safety must be placed in the
Òoff safeÕÕposition.
1. The front and rear portions of the bolt must be
aligned properly before it can be inserted. The bolt
handle (and connected locking surface) can rotate
with respect to the bolt body itself. If not already in
alignment the parts must be realigned. To do this:
a)Take the end of the bolt body in one hand and
the bolt handle in the other.
b)Twist the handle to align the top and bottom
pointers on the shroud with the grooves cut in
the bolt. The top groove is on the polished por-
13
Cocking indicator
FIGURE4
Extends rearward when the
bolt is cocked
OPERATION OF THESAFETY
The safety is located on the right side of the receiver 
(Figure 3). When the safety is clicked (or is detented)
into position toward the rear, the gun is in the Òon
safeÕÕ position as shown. In this position the trigger is
blocked. ÒSafeÓ is stamped on the receiver to mark
this Òon safeÓ position . 
WHENEVER A CARTRIDGE IS CHAM-
BERED, THE SAFETY SHOULD BE MOVED
TO THE ÒON SAFEÕÕ POSITION UNTIL YOU
ARE READY TO FIRE IT. 
When the safety is pushed forward, the rifle is in the
Òoff safeÕÕ position and ready to fire.
COCKINGINDICATOR
The rear end (or shroud) of the bolt serves as a cock-
ing indicator. When the bolt is in the rifle and is
cocked the indicator will appear (see Figure 4) Ñ ex-
tending rearward forming a gap between the pointed
surface on the indicator and the pointed recess on the
bolt (Note: there is a pointed surface on top and bot-
tom of the shroud). When the rifle is fired, the cock-
ing indicator (entire shroud) moves forward, closing
the gap. 
12
Safety
FIGURE3
Pull fully rearward to place in Òon safeÓ position
Push forward foroff safe 
						

							5. Return the safety to the ÒOn SafeÓ position. The
rifle is now assembled and may be operated normally. 
REMOVING THE BOLTÑ
BEFORE REMOVING THE BOLT FULLY
UNLOAD YOUR RIFLE:  REMOVE THE
MAGAZINE FROM THE RIFLE AND OPEN
THE BOLT. VISUALLY ASSURE THAT THE
CHAMBER IS EMPTY. 
1. The firing mechanism must be uncocked before
the bolt can be removed.  With the rifle fully unload-
ed and pointed in a safe direction, close the bolt,
then uncock the bolt by dry firing the rifle. 
2. With the bolt now uncocked, insert your finger
15
Pull the trigger and then push the bolt
into place. It may take a little force. 
FIGURE7
Pull the trigger, push the bolt and
depress the sear.
FIGURE8
Inserting the bolt, option 2.Inserting the bolt, option 1.
tion of the top lug (see Figure 5). The bottom
groove is on the rear of the bottom lug. 
2. Align the end of the bolt in the rear opening of the
receiver as shown (see Figure 6). 
3. While pulling the trigger, push the bolt forward
and shove it in the receiver, past the point where it is
stopped by the sear (see Figure 7). This may take a
little force, but not too much. Optional: The sear can
be depressed with a screwdriver for easier insertion
(see Figure 8). This makes it much easier to insert the
bolt.
4. Release the trigger and rotate the bolt handle
down to lock it.
CAUTION: The chamber should be empty Ñ if
there is a round in the chamber, the rifle can be fired
if the trigger is pulled.
14
Orient the bolt flat side down
before inserting.
FIGURE6
Aligning the bolt
FIGURE5
Front and rear parts of the bolt must be in alignment before
inserting into receiver. The small points must align with the
small grooves on the shroud and lug. 
						

							Load one cartridge at a time (see Figure 10). Repeat
until the magazine is filled to capacity (five rounds).
INSERTING THEMAGAZINEINTO THERIFLEÑ
Before inserting the magazine into the rifle, close and
lock the bolt. Carefully push in the magazine until it
locks (detents) into place with an audible snap (Fig-
ure 11).
LOADINGA CARTRIDGE INTO THECHAMBER FROM
THE MAGAZINE
Ñ 
With the magazine in place, close the bolt (if it is
open), and a round will be fed into the chamber. If
the bolt is closed, completely cycle the bolt to place a
17
Loading the magazine. 
One cartridge at a time.
FIGURE10
Make sure the magazine snaps
into place.
FIGURE11behind the trigger and push it forward as shown (Fig-
ure 9). You must push the trigger beforeyou open the
bolt or the bolt will not release.
3. While still pushing forward on the trigger, open
the bolt, and pull the bolt rearward out of the 
receiver.
4. To re-insert, refer back to ÒInserting the BoltÓ 
section.
LOADING
The Winchester Model 52 is furnished with a five-
shot removable magazine. Follow the instructions be-
low for loading:
CAUTION: WHILE LOADING AND UNLOAD-
ING, MAKE SURE THE SAFETY IS IN THE
ÒON SAFEÕÕ POSITION WHEN THE BOLT IS
CLOSED. ALWAYS POINT YOUR RIFLE IN
A SAFE DIRECTION. 
LOADING THEMAGAZINEÑ 
To load the magazine, always remove it from the rifle
(see Unloading Your Model 52 later in this manual).
16
Removing the bolt
FIGURE9
After releasing the bolt by dry firing, immediately push for-
ward on the back of the trigger and pull the bolt rearward.