How do you estimate the value of a custom rifle? I have a Wayne Merrier stocked and modified 1958 Winchester 52C that I am thinking of either selling or giving away as a Christmas present. I have roughly 1700$ in it. As I understand the general rules of resale, I would be lucky to get 750$ for it. Is this about correct? Please advise.

As it came from Wayne...


In its current form...


The bolt number matches the serial number. It has a tapered 22" barrel (0.625 at muzzle, roughly 0.9 at chamber end), custom aluminum triggerguard / floorplate, and custom aluminum risers. LOP is 13.25, the trigger has been set back 1/4", and the comb moved forward an inch from what Wayne called "normal". Balance point is just in front of the front action screw. Rifle has aluminum pillers and an acraglass pad in front of the front action screw going about 2 inches forward toward the muzzle end of the forearm. Barrel is free floated from there.

I am 5'10'' and 210 lbs and it fits like a glove. I do not think it would fit a tall skinny fellow well, but may fit ladies or thick chested guys. I have the trigger set at 1 lb 5 oz now, so it is not legal for Hunter as I have it set up but is legal for Hunter in all other respects. Trigger pull is adjustable by screw through a small hole in the triggerguard. Rifle shoots very well at 50 yd with Wolf MT and SK SS HP, but I have not tested it at 100 yet. Nor I have I tested it with Eley of any kind. Been busy with squirrel season The action is the smoothest I have ever seen on any rifle, I can operate it with one finger without moving my hand from the grip

Weight is 7 lbs 4 oz with a little 3-9x, 8 lbs 4 oz with the Bushnell 4200 scope shown in the first photo. Not sure what it weighs with the Leupold 6.5-20.

I would appreciate your thoughts.

-Rex

Sorry, forgot to add that in the one photo you can see a strip of tape along the forearm that had not been removed after the acraglass was added. It has been removed now.

-RM

Rex,
Nice rifle, what is holding you back from shooting it?
Mary

Hi Mary,

I hate to admit this, especially to you , but I shoot the "other" rifle better. I do not understand it, as ergonomically the Merrier stocked 52 is far superior, but after shooting it off and on for a couple of months I still shoot something else better.

Also, the 52 single stage trigger is superb, perhaps the best factory single stage ever. However, it is still a single stage. At its current setting it is superb, but at the required 2 lbs for hunter I hate it. Its wide, absolutely no creep, no overtravel, but I just can not get used to it.

So... I am not sure what to do with the rifle. Its too expensive to just keep around as a "back up". I have a friend that worships 52s as hunting rifles, and had thought to either sell it or give it to him. That is why I was asking as to what an appropriate price point would be. I realize I will loose money, but I would also like to be fair to both myself and others.

Thanks,

Rex

value it REALLY low....on the other hand a christmas gift does seem more personal...i accept your gift! pm me for my address

i think it is very nice.
dave

Thanks Dave, I will keep you in mind when I go to sending out Christmas gifts.

I like the rifle too, don't get me wrong, I just shoot the "other" rifle better. If I sold this one I could use the money for either ammo or an upgrade.

I have a lot invested for it not to be my favorite target rifle. I actually prefer it as a hunting rifle if you can believe that. Wayne was shocked when he learned that I was taking it hunting

Now handsome Dave....it would look better in my 52 collection so I'm first on the christmas list!!!

Innocent

Ladies first I guess

Innocent wrote:Now handsome Dave....it would look better in my 52 collection so I'm first on the christmas list!!!

Innocent

I was wondering when you'd hit him up, because I knew it was killing you to pass it up

Now 259....sometimes little things take higher priorities...like trying to get my truck fixed from where I hit a pedestrian running against traffic on a limited access freeway at 1950 on a Sunday night (while returning from the airport) . He lived despite my cruise being set at 70mph and as the local sheriff responders said "we were already out looking for him, you just found him before we did." still picking glass out of my hands.

Innocent

Mary, you sure know how to have a good time...

BCloninger wrote:Mary, you sure know how to have a good time...

Bob... guess those TSA searches and the multuiple body scans were not enough fun for her ;)

Mary... glad yor OK

SqHunter wrote:Ladies first I guess

I will wear a dress for it ;) BTW i am a large fellow. i will wear a tiny skirt.

have a nice thanksgiving all

dave

silhouette13 wrote:

SqHunter wrote:Ladies first I guess

I will wear a dress for it ;) BTW i am a large fellow. i will wear a tiny skirt.

have a nice thanksgiving all

dave

That is a disturbing mental image

Happy thanksgiving to all as well.

-Rex

Handsome Dave...why wear a tiny skirt? just...oh well we are not BTB.

Happy Thanksgiving.
Innocent