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Range Report: Winchester 68

Posted: Wed Sep 13, 2023 3:42 pm
by Sir Henry
The LGS called and said the fed said I was a law abiding citizen so I jumped in the Subaru and drove the 30 miles into town.

This is really a nice rifle. Nothing fancy yet well built.
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It loads a bit different than most. With the bolt to the rear you set the bullet on the sear/extractor and closing the bolt. No putting it directly into the chamber. Then after loading you pull the cocking handle to cock it.
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The sight is fully adjustable although I didn’t have to move it. The peep is quite small. I was able to hit a four by six inch plate at 40 yards with my elbows on the table. Lighting was poor so I didn’t really see just how accurate it is.
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The screws are all in good shape and I think the previous owner took good care of it.
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Even the barrel and front sight looks good.
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Re: Range Report: Winchester 68

Posted: Wed Sep 13, 2023 6:24 pm
by daytime dave
Fine looking rifle you have there.

Re: Range Report: Winchester 68

Posted: Wed Sep 13, 2023 6:43 pm
by Sir Henry
daytime dave wrote:
Wed Sep 13, 2023 6:24 pm
Fine looking rifle you have there.
Thanks Dave. It doesn’t have the front sight hood but is otherwise all original. I found a used hood for $11 and ordered it.

Re: Range Report: Winchester 68

Posted: Wed Sep 13, 2023 6:47 pm
by North Country Gal
That is a very nice 68 and love that unique peep sight. The 67 and 68 are almost indestructible, but that's old Winchester 22s for you. And they are accurate, so I think you'll be pleased when you see the groups you can shoot with your 68.

Re: Range Report: Winchester 68

Posted: Wed Sep 13, 2023 6:51 pm
by Sir Henry
North Country Gal wrote:
Wed Sep 13, 2023 6:47 pm
That is a very nice 68 and love that unique peep sight. The 67 and 68 are almost indestructible, but that's old Winchester 22s for you. And they are accurate, so I think you'll be pleased when you see the groups you can shoot with your 68.
I can’t wait to shoot paper. This summer in Alaska I shot my friends 61 and it got me thinking about rimfire Winchesters again.

Re: Range Report: Winchester 68

Posted: Wed Sep 13, 2023 8:19 pm
by Sir Henry
I’m amazed at how much parts can cost.
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Re: Range Report: Winchester 68

Posted: Wed Sep 13, 2023 8:25 pm
by CT_Shooter
Interesting prices, considering it's initial value.

Here's a page from the Sears 50 Year Jubilee Catalog.

It offers a Winchester Model 67 for $4.85.

I own the Ranger which is offered at $3.49. It's has a similar action and is very accurate. My late FIL bought it when he was a teenager.


Re: Range Report: Winchester 68

Posted: Wed Sep 13, 2023 8:44 pm
by North Country Gal
Those prices on the bolt assemblies are way out of line. You can still buy well used and rough 67s that shoot for the same price. Not surprised on that peep since it is pretty specific to a few Winchester 22 models.

Re: Range Report: Winchester 68

Posted: Wed Sep 13, 2023 8:50 pm
by North Country Gal
Here's my Winchester 67. Picked it up at a very good price because it had been drilled and tapped for the old Lyman Super Target Spot mounts and scopes. Was at the range trying to shot it with the rear sight that was still on it when the club president saw it and offered to sell me the mounts and the scope for a bargain price. Couldn't pass that up. Will do half inch at 50 yards with the scope. Definitely not your usual Winchester 67 rig.

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Re: Range Report: Winchester 68

Posted: Wed Sep 13, 2023 10:12 pm
by Sir Henry
North Country Gal wrote:
Wed Sep 13, 2023 8:50 pm
Here's my Winchester 67. Picked it up at a very good price because it had been drilled and tapped for the old Lyman Super Target Spot mounts and scopes. Was at the range trying to shot it with the rear sight that was still on it when the club president saw it and offered to sell me the mounts and the scope for a bargain price. Couldn't pass that up. Will do half inch at 50 yards with the scope. Definitely not your usual Winchester 67 rig.

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Interesting scope. I have a Malcolm that is similar.

Re: Range Report: Winchester 68

Posted: Thu Sep 14, 2023 6:20 am
by bandit1250
Very nice old Winchester. I don't have any old Winchesters right now but that doesn't mean I don't like them. Had some model 69 A Wins. that were good shooters. I like the old walnut and blued steel guns. My wife and I have quite a few old Remington 22's and they get their turn at the range on days that we only take the older models. I call them our "fun guns". They bring back the old days of growing up shooting the old simple rifles and not the cheap feeling plastic rifles of today.

Re: Range Report: Winchester 68

Posted: Thu Sep 14, 2023 8:43 am
by fortyshooter
That is a very nice one Gene and the wood looks like new! What year was it built?

Re: Range Report: Winchester 68

Posted: Thu Sep 14, 2023 11:55 am
by Sir Henry
fortyshooter wrote:
Thu Sep 14, 2023 8:43 am
That is a very nice one Gene and the wood looks like new! What year was it built?
With no serial number I can’t tell. It’s not an early fingergroove and has the later chrome bolt so I’m guessing 1940 to 1945 which is the last year of production.

Re: Range Report: Winchester 68

Posted: Thu Sep 14, 2023 1:34 pm
by North Country Gal
Most of those Winchester single shots weren't serial numbered prior to 1968. Only their higher end rimfires and other guns got serial numbers.