Winchester 63 .22 Caliber Bolt Action Rifle Instruction Manual

							1918
However, with time and exposure to the elements it
can wear off.
Never rely totally on your gunÕs safety button. It is
merely an aid to safe gun handling. Like any
mechanical device the safety can possible fail: it can
be jarred or inadvertently manipulated into an
unsafe condition. Always keep your rifle pointed in a
safe direction. 
THIS MECHANISM WILL NOT NECESSARI-
LY PREVENT THE ACCIDENTAL DIS-
CHARGE OF THIS FIREARM AS A RESULT
OF JARRING OR ABUSE SUCH AS
OCCURS WHEN A FIREARM IS DROPPED.  
At all times in the field keep the safety in the ÒON
SAFEÓ position and the barrel pointed in a safe
direction. It is a good idea never to load your rifle
until you are in the field and shooting is imminent
or, if you are at a range, until it is your turn to shoot.
For extra safety, and as a courtesy to others, always
keep your rifleÕs muzzle pointing down range. At any
range (or around any other people, even when hunt-
ing), unless shooting is actually in progress, always
keep the action locked open at all times (see proce-
dures under ÒHow to Operate the ActionÓ). It is a
proper gun handling practice to place your rifle in a position. The rifle is in the Òon safeÓ position when
the manual safety is moved fully to the right.
*ACTION: The mechanism of a firearm which loads
and secures the cartridge in the chamber.
Your Model 63 rifle is designed with a cross bolt
type safety. It is located just rearward o f the trigger
on  the trigger guard: convenient for gloved or
ungloved fingers (see Figure 10). It is essential that
you become very familiar with the feel, look and
operation of the safety on this rifle before attempt-
ing to load or shoot. With the safety in the ÒON
SAFEÓ position the trigger is blocked and the rifle
cannot be fired with a normal pull of the trigger. In
the ÒOFF SAFEÓ position Ñ if your gun is loaded
with a round in the chamber Ñ the chambered
round can be fired by simply squeezing the trigger.
¥ ÒON SAFEÓ. The safety button is pushed fully to
the right (see Figure 10). The red band on the left
side is NOTshowing.
¥ÒOFF SAFEÓ. The safety button is pushed fully to
the left. A large red band is exposed on the button
as it protrudes on the left side (see Figure 11). The
red band is an added aid to safe gun handling.
Safety in the Òon safeÓ position.
Safety in the ÒfireÓ
position
FIGURE11
FIGURE10
(View from left side.)
(View from right side.) 
						

							2120
5. Next, push the magazine tube down into position
and lock into place. Turn it until its retainer pin
falls into the retainer slot, then turn clockwise
about 1/8 turn until it stops in the locked position.
Care should be taken while pushing the tube in, as
it is under spring tension. 
The rifle is now ready for operation.
HOW TOOPERATE THEACTION
Make sure the safety is in the ÒON SAFEÓ position.
1. Load the chamber by pushing the end of the
operating sleeve fully rearward with one of your fin-
gers on your forward hand (hand that holds the
forearm when you shoot). Using your pointing fin-
ger makes working the action easy. Push the operat-
ing sleeve fully rearward until the rearward move-
ment of the action stops (see Figure 13). 
2. To move a cartridge from the magazine to the
chamber, let go of the end of the operating sleeve
and allow the sleeve to move forward under spring case when going to or coming from the shooting
area. 
HOW TOLOAD THE MAGAZINE
Use the correct ammunition referenced by the
inscription on the barrel.  Again, before loading your
gun be sure all grease and oil has been removed from
the barrel and chamber, and there is no obstruction.
To load the magazine, first place the safety in the
ÒON SAFEÓ position. Leave the action (breech bolt)
closed at this time.
1. Twist the knob on the end of the magazine tube
about 1/8 turn counterclockwise to unlock. 
2. As you pull out the tube watch it move past the
loading port in the right side of the buttstock. 
3. Pull the tube out until the magazine follower
clears the loading port in the outer magazine tube.  
4. With the muzzle pointed downward slightly, insert
the bullet end of the cartridges into the magazine
facing forward (Figure 12) and allow them to slide
down towards the action.  Do not exceed the recom-
mended capacity of the magazine (ten rounds). 
Insert the cartridge through th loading port
into the magazine tube, bullet forward.
FIGURE12
Push rearward  on the operating sleeve with
your finger to operate the action .
FIGURE13 
						

							23
3. Turn the operating sleeve tip approximately 1/4
to 1/2 turn in either the clockwise or counterclock-
wise direction. A built-in limiter will prevent you
from turing the tip past 1/2 turn. Turning the tip
with the operating sleeve in the rearward position
locks the operating sleeve in the rearward position
(see Figure 15). The action is now locked open and
inspection of the chamber and feed mechanisms can
be easily performed. Remember, a limiter keeps you
from turning the tip of the operating sleeve more
than 1/2 turn.
Use this procedure to lock the action open for
cleaning and safety purposes as outlined in the 
manual. 
4. To release the locking mechanism and to allow
the action to return forward, turn the operating pressure (see Figure 14). The operating sleeve is
linked directly to the bolt inside the receiver Ñ so
the bolt will close shut at the same time, and move a
cartridge from the magazine to the chamber.
CAUTION: YOUR RIFLE IS LOADED,
COCKED AND READY TO FIRE.
When ready to shoot, move the safety to the ÒOFF
SAFEÓ position, then . . . take aim and when on tar-
get, squeeze the trigger.
The semiautomatic function of your rifle will auto-
matically extract and eject the fired cartridge.  The
bolt will then automatically close, while at the same
time moving a loaded cartridge from the magazine
into the chamber. Since the safety remains in the
ÒOFF SAFEÓ position, your rifle is again ready to fire
with simply a squeeze of the trigger. 
IF SHOOTING IS NO LONGER IMMINENT,
IMMEDIATELY MOVE THE SAFETY TO
THE ÒON SAFEÓ POSITION BY PUSHING
IT FULLY TO THE RIGHT.  
LOCKING THE ACTION REARWARDÑ
The Model 63 has an easy-to-use system for locking
the action rearward. This is an important operation
and you should practice it until you can do it with
ease.
1. FIRST PLACE THE SAFETY IN THE ÒON
SAFEÓ POSITION. 
Then push the operating
sleeve in fully with your finger. Usually this will be
the pointing finger of the hand holding the forearm.
If you intend to lock the action rearward it helps to
do this with both your pointing finger and your
thumb grasping the tip.
2. With the operating sleeve pushed in grip the
operating sleeve tip between your pointing finger
and your thumb.
22
FIGURE14
FIGURE15
Pull the operating sleeve rearward
with your thumb and finger. Then
turn it about 1/4 to 1/2 turn to lock. 
Release the operating sleeve to automatically load a
round from the magazine into the chamber. 
						

							2524
TOUNLOAD THEMAGAZINE
ANDCHAMBER
ALWAYS KEEP THE MUZZLE OF YOUR
RIFLE POINTED IN A SAFE DIRECTION
WHEN LOADING OR UNLOADING YOUR
RIFLE. 
Place the safety in the ÒON SAFEÓ position. Lock
the action rearward by locking the operating sleeve
tip rearward. With the muzzle pointed downward
withdraw the inside magazine tube from the rifle.
Then carefully tip the rifle muzzle up, buttstock
down, allowing the cartridges to slide out the outer
magazine tube into a suitable container. Replace the
inside magazine tube into the buttstock and lock in
place.  Release the operating sleeve. Work the
action several times by pushing in and releasing the
operating sleeve to assure that there are no rounds
in the magazine, in the chamber or in the action
feed areas. Lock the action open again. Look into
the open action making sure there are no cartridges
in the action, and observe the empty chamber and
the magazine follower (see Figure 17). 
Always unload your gun and lock the action rear-
ward when you have finished shooting, and before sleeve tip until it unlocks. This will release the oper-
ating sleeve to travel fully forward and close the
action. There is only one position of the tip that the
sleeve will unlock Ñ simply turn the operating
sleeve tip until you are in alignment with this posi-
tion and the operating sleeve will release forward.
There is a slight radius shape cut on one side of the
tip. When this is facing up, toward the barrel, the
operating sleeve is in the released position (see
Figure 16). If you turn the tip until it stops and the
operating sleeve does not release forward it is
because you have turned it until it encountered the
limiter. Simply turn the operating sleeve tip in the
opposite direction until the operating sleeve releases
and goes fully forward, at the same time closing the
action.
CAUTION: IF THE MAGAZINE IS LOADED,
RELEASING THE OPERATING SLEEVE
LOCKING MECHANISM WILL ALWAYS
MOVE A CARTRIDGE FROM THE MAGA-
ZINE INTO THE CHAMBER. WITH THE
SAFETY IN THE OFF SAFE POSITION AND
A ROUND IN THE CHAMBER YOUR RIFLE
CAN BE FIRED BY SIMPLY PULLING THE
TRIGGER. 
FIGURE16
Operating sleeve in the released position.
Look into the action  to make sure
there are no cartridges in the cham-
ber or feed mechanism. 
FIGURE17
Make sure you can see the magazine follower. 
						

							2726
rear sight with your fingers and move the notched
elevator either forward or backward (see Figure 18).
To raise point of impact, use your fingers to lift up
on the blade and slide the elevator rearward.
Adjusting the sight to make your gun shoot lower is
just the opposite Ñ move the elevator forward.
Remember: 
¥ Move the blade and holder up
to shoot higher.
¥ Move the blade and holder down
to shoot lower.
RIGHT OR LEFT WINDAGE ADJUSTMENTSÑ 
On Model 63 sights, the entire rear sight blade
holder is dove-tailed in the rear sight base. To adjust
for windage, gently move the rear sight blade to the
right or left by tapping at the dove-tail using a wood
or fiber dowel or hammer that will not mar the sight
(see Figure 19). If you tap to the right your gun will putting your gun away. Consider your rifle fully
unloaded when the magazine, chamber and feed
areas contain no cartridges and the action is locked
rearward.
SIGHTADJUSTMENTS
All Model 63 rifles are fitted with open sights. The
style and adjustment system may vary between mod-
els and grades. 
The proper procedure is to shoot a group with the
sights set as they come from the factory (intermedi-
ate position on both elevation and windage), and
then make incremental adjustments to move the
sight blade and blade holder to position the group
on your target. 
BEFORE MAKING ANY SIGHT ADJUST-
MENTS, MAKE SURE YOUR RIFLE IS
FULLY UNLOADED AND THE MUZZLE IS
POINTED IN A SAFE DIRECTION. PLACE
THE SAFETY IN THE ÒON SAFEÓ
POSITION.
UP OR DOWN ELEVATION ADJUSTMENTSÑ
Adjusting elevation on your Model 63 requires you
to lift up the rear notch blade holder on your rifleÕs
FIGURE19
Tap carefully.
Do not mar the
barrel or sight.
Lift up on the notch blade holder
and move the elevator forward
or rearward with your fingers.
FIGURE18 
						

							29
shoot more to the right. Moving the blade holder to
the left is just as easily done. Note how much you
adjust the sight as you sight-in your Model 63.
Remember: 
¥ Move the rear sight to the right to shoot far-
ther to the right on the target. 
¥ Move the rear sight to the left to shoot farther
to the left on the target. 
Care should be taken not to mar the finish or bend
sight components when adjustments are made.
The front sight bead is also held in a dove-tail
mount on the sight base. It is possible to make
windage adjustments by tapping it to one side or the
other, just like the rear base. Remember, when
adjusting the front sight you get the opposite results:
move to the right and you shoot more to the left,
move the bead to the left and youÕll shoot more to
the right.
All sight adjustments Ñ of course Ñ are a matter of
trial and error. Remember, it is usually necessary to
reset your sights when you change type or even
brand of ammunition. High velocity 22 Long Rifle
ammunition will almost always have a different
point of impact than a target grade load or a hollow
point load. 
SIGHTMAINTENANCEÑ
Occasionally check your sights to make sure they
have not been jarred or vibrated out of adjustment.
This is especially important after extensive shooting
or after hunting under rugged conditions. Front and
rear sight bases should always be tight on the barrel
and dove-tails should be snug.
28
SIGHT PICTUREÑ
The correct sight picture for the sights on your
Model 63 is with the front bead resting in the U-
shaped notch in the sight blade. The bead itself
should rest directly under the point of impact. For
example, if you were shooting a conventional small
bore target, the round, black bullÕs-eye would appear
to rest on top of the front bead (see Figure 20). 
MOUNTING A SCOPE
The top of the receiver on every Model 63 is
grooved to accept standard 22 caliber rifle-type
scope mounts. Depending on the type of bases
and/or mounts you purchase, your rifle will accept
thin-tube scopes, red-dot type sights or standard
rifle scopes. On the 63 the barrel is attached rigidly
to the top portion of the receiver. So, even though
your rifle is a take-down design, your scope stays
sighted in even after the action is taken down.
Carefully follow all instructions provided with your
scope mounts, rings and scope when mounting your
scope.
Bead
Notch Target
bullÕs-eye
FIGURE20
Correct sight picture.  
						

							3130
Take down your Model 63 into the barrel/receiver
half and the buttstock half as explained previously.
Take extra care to protect the rifling at the muzzle
of your rifle from damage (which can affect accura-
cy). A muzzle protector (available at most good gun
shops) is always a good idea. 
1. Use a cleaning rod with a tip and patch suitable
for the size of your Model 63Õs  .22 caliber bore.
Make sure the patch is large enough for a snug fit in
the bore. Insert the rod and patch into the barrel at
the muzzle endand run it back and forth several
times. Although it is possible to remove the bolt
from the Model 63, it requires special tools and some
expertise Ñ and is therefore, not recommended. 
2. Push the operating sleeve fully in and lock it (and
the action) rearward to inspect the chamber and
bore for brass, copper, lead and powder fouling. A
normal amount of powder residue can be expected
and is not serious. It can usually be removed by
repeating step one, using a patch saturated with sol-
vent. If or when fouling should become heavy, it can
be removed with a brass bore brush. Dip or spray the
brush with solvent and scrub the chamber and bore
until the fouling is removed. To prevent brass bris-
tles from breaking off, the brush should be pushed
completely through the bore before being with-
drawn. Because you are cleaning the barrel with the
breech bolt in place it is helpful to use a brush that
has a shorter overall length so it is possible to push it
past the chamber. Keep the operating sleeve (and
bolt) locked rearward during the cleaning procedure.CLEANING ANDMAINTENANCE
SUGGESTIONS
Your Model 63 will function better and more reli-
ably over a longer period of time if it is properly
maintained and kept clean.
BEFORE PERFORMING ANY CLEANING
PROCEDURES, ALWAYS MAKE CERTAIN
THERE ARE NO CARTRIDGES IN THE
CHAMBER, MAGAZINE OR ACTION/FEED
AREAS.
You should clean your Model 63 after every day of
shooting and more often if it becomes excessively
dirty. 
A minimum cleaning includes wiping down the
action and oiling key parts. Most regular mainte-
nance will also include cleaning the barrel. If you
encounter a function problem be sure to give your
gun a thorough cleaning to see if it solves the prob-
lem before seeking the services of one of our
Authorized Repair Centers, our service facility or a
competent gunsmith. To clean your firearm, adhere
to the following general guidelines.
CLEANINGPROCEDURESÑ
BE CERTAIN YOUR GUNÕS CHAMBER
AND MAGAZINE ARE UNLOADED.
ALWAYS WEAR PROTECTIVE SAFETY
GLASSES DURING ALL CLEANING PRO-
CEDURES. KEEP AMMUNITION AWAY
FROM THE CLEANING AREA. DO NOT
TEST THE FUNCTION OF YOUR FIREARM
WITH LIVE AMMUNITION. 
						

							3332
8. Wipe all wood surfaces with a soft cloth.
9. When transporting only, store your Model 63 in a
quality protective case to prevent scratches and
dents. For long term storage, store in a dry place to
prevent corrosion. It is acceptable to store your
Model 63 taken down. Store away from children.
MAKE SURE YOUR RIFLE IS UNLOADED
AND ALWAYS STORE AMMUNITION
SEPARATELY.
OTHERCLEANINGSUGGESTIONSÑ
¥ Never pour large quantities of oil into the receiver
or other parts. It can drain down to the wood and
soften it Ñ and cause permanent damage and loos-
ening of the stock.
¥ After extended periods of heavy use, your rifle
should be taken to a qualified gunsmith to have the
action disassembled for professional cleaning and
lubrication.
NEVER ATTEMPT TO TAKE YOUR MODEL
63 APART FURTHER THAN EXPLAINED IN
THIS MANUAL.
This is a specialized, finely fitted mechanism. You
may permanently mar it by attempting to disassem-
ble the inner mechanism assemblies. If further disas-
sembly for service or cleaning is required, take your
gun to a U. S. Repeating Arms Company
Authorized Repair Center or a competent gunsmith
as explained under ÒService or Repair.Ó 3. After fouling has been removed the bore should
be wiped dry. Then pass a slightly oiled patch
through the bore for preservation. A fine, light gun
oil is recommended.  
4. Wipe all exposed metal surfaces of the receiver,
forearm and barrel with a clean rag. Finger marks
should be removed because they provide a place
where moisture can accumulate. Any dried oil in
the receiver area should also be removed. 
5. Lightly oil your gun at the points described under
ÒOiling the ActionÓ found earlier in this manual.
Ordinary good judgment will, of course, indicate
that the metal of the gun should receive a light film
of oil any time the rifle has been exposed to weather
or handling. This is very important and must be
done with every gun. Remember, the polished, fine-
ly fitted surfaces of the receiver and action mecha-
nisms must always have a thin film of oil. Make sure
that the surfaces of the breech bolt  and bolt slide
are especially clean and lightly oiled with a high
quality gun oil. Use solvent and a toothbrush or
other suitable brush to clean around the extractor,
ejector and other small breech bolt components.
With the Model 63 an aerosol-type oil can help
greatly in Òspraying awayÓ residues on the breech
bolt. When satisfied, wipe clean and lightly oil.
6. 
INSPECT THE BARREL AND CHAMBER.
TO MAKE CERTAIN THAT NO PATCHES
HAVE BEEN INADVERTENTLY LEFT IN
THEM. 
Remove any that remain.
7. Reassemble your rifle if you performed a complete
cleaning. 
						

							QUESTIONS
If you have other questions about Winchester rifles
and shotguns, call or write our Customer Service
Department:
Customer Service
U.S. Repeating Arms Company, Inc.
275 Winchester Avenue
Morgan, Utah 84050-9333
Phone: 1-800-945-5237
WINCHESTER-GUNS.COM
U.S. Repeating Arms Company offers an informa-
tion resource for you on the world wide web. 
¥ List of authorized repair centers.
¥ Customer service information.
¥ Answers to many technical and historical 
questions.
¥ Links to helpful sites.
Go to: www.winchester-guns.com
35
ORDERINGPARTS
To order parts, please write our parts department
and furnish the following: your name, address, and
telephone number. Also specify the model and serial
number of your gun. When we receive your request,
we will send an order form and a parts breakdown
with prices.
Write to:
Parts Department
U.S. Repeating Arms Company, Inc.
275 Winchester Avenue
New Haven, Connecticut 06511-1970
CAUTION: PARTS ARE MADE FOR
WINCHESTER BRAND FIREARMS MANU-
FACTURED BY OR FOR U.S. REPEATING
ARMS COMPANY, INC., AND SHOULD
NOT BE USED IN OTHER GUNS EVEN
THOUGH MODELS MAY BE SIMILAR.
IMPROPERLY FITTED PARTS MAY BE
DANGEROUS.
SERVICE ORREPAIR
If your Winchester firearm should ever need repair
or service, please utilize one of the world-wide net-
work of U.S. Repeating Arms Company A
uthorized
R
epair Centers for Winchester firearms. If you have
any questions about how to obtain service for your
Winchester firearm, call or write the Authorized
Repair Center (ARC) nearest you. A list of ARCs is
packaged with your new gun. If you need to obtain a
new list of ARCs call us at:
1-203-789-5000
34