Thread: 22 RF barrel options

Hello Folks

I have a very nice Winchester Model 52 (the Miroku replica one) but it never shot very well. Recently it happened to get borescoped, and bugger me, there are some big pits in the bore, with some rough (old rust??) areas. These always had a pretty patchy reputation anyway but the poor bore means its definitely a "sad sack" that needs some attention.

I've long fancied a 22 that shoots "lights out" that is also a nice rifle to own, the the Model 52 is a good candidate in the "nice" dept, and should be a good platform for a shooter with its very nice trigger and target rifle action.

However I'm going to need a barrel, I've wandered round the local traps and a few online ones but nothing "special" doing.

Does anyone know of NZ suppliers of high end 22 RF barrel blanks??

Thanks

@Husky1600 had some good used ones for sale?

Husky's will be too short I'm picking

Originally Posted by akaroa1

Husky's will be too short I'm picking

450mm long, parallel, Anschutzs 1450 barrels

Surely a rifle like that needs a nicely blued barrel - do True Flite do Chrome-Moly nowadays? I did get a Chrome-Moly blank from them a few years back on special order. How about Hugh Bradley? I've never used his services but there are a few threads on the forum which speak highly of his barrels - might be worth an enquiry.

Otherwise I'd just put the question to whichever gunsmith you trust to do the work - what brands can they get hold of and which barrels will they stand behind the performance of? Also, do they have a suitable reamer for what you're trying to do; something tighter than a standard sporting chamber I presume.

The 52 had specific chamber dimensions, it’s one of the recognised match reaming options. But maybe not available in NZ. Calfee’s ramblings would describe it.

Shilen barrels are still recognised as top barrels in the 22 circles , and they taper lap theirs for that hummer accuracy.
Lilja .
And bartlein.

Originally Posted by Friwi

Shilen barrels are still recognised as top barrels in the 22 circles , and they taper lap theirs for that hummer accuracy.
Lilja .
And bartlein.

Yeah - but who in NZ would have one . . .

Lead bullets don't like barrel pitting but jacketed bullets mind it less.

Maybe get the barrel re-chambered to .22 Magnum before you give up on it.

Deadeye Dicks are apparently importers of both Lilja and Shilen.

Tentman, model 52s are very common in US small bore circles. A bit like old BSA internationals here. I'd be surprised if you cannot get a profiled prefit barrel. In Australia MAB is now TSE (in Brisbane) and they do chrome moly bbls - only ones that do here. Mod 52s and the Miroku copy have quite a high bolt lift that makes low scope mounting more difficult than it should be IIRC.

Mike Collins stocks Lilja barrels.

Originally Posted by Walker

Mike Collins stocks Lilja barrels.

Thanks - I'll give him a ring. I've been offered a liner, which I'm considering . . .

Originally Posted by Tentman

Thanks - I'll give him a ring. I've been offered a liner, which I'm considering . . .

Liners can be good - I've got a lined .17hmr myself - but I've never heard of them as serious contenders in the "lights out" target accuracy department.