I have a 512 Sportmaster in excellent condition I've been thinking of trading for something already set up for scope mounting and I'm wondering what the value is. It's a 1949 model. I listed it for trade and got someone with a $250 offer right of the bat to purchase so I want to make sure I know what it's worth.

Other offers have been for a Ruger Mark III pistol or an interarms jw-15.

I'm not opposed to drill and tapping this rifle but seems like a shame to do so. Would a Marlin XT-22 or Savage Mark II be as or more accurate than this 512? If so I may just sell this rifle and get one of those.

Find a newer 512, they were grooved to mount a scope begining some time mid 50's.

I don't think these have tremendous collector value, but I don't want to ruin a $250-300 gun by drilling and tapping. If done correctly, would it negatively affect the value much? It sure would make it more useable.

There are collectors of Remington 22 rifles.
They can be found on the rimfire central forum.
There are not many of them. A couple guys have 50 rifles each and know a lot.

Remington made a lot of rifles.
A few collectors does not change the value a lot.
This is different than Colt Pythons. They cost way more than the functionality would demand.
Old Remington bolt action 22 rifles are priced mostly per what they are and what they can do.

I have just a few and know almost nothing, except my own way of drilling and tapping Rem 510 [single shot], Rem 511 [magazine fed], and Rem 512 [ tube fed]. I do not follow Weaver's one base on the receiver and one on the barrel plan. I put them both on the receiver. I use two #43 bases.



1928 minty $550 2013


1946 $220 2013


1946 $165 2013

I have a 1955 Rem 512 I got for $60 in 2011.
I have a 1949 rem 512 I got for $125 in 2014.

Clark, I found some #43 bases locally today. My plan is to use Loctite 380 or something similar to attach the bases. I've read where lots of guys have used this method and when it came time for removal they put the barreled action in the freezer and tapped the bases off without damaging the gun.

What kind of accuracy can one expect out of these old 500 series?

UNCCGrad,
While struggling with a 100 yard parallax scope at 50 yards with a Rem 510, I managed to get bug hole 5 shot group.

That is what Bart Bobbitt calls a wallet group. Cut it out an put it in your wallet. He should talk, for 19 years he has been known for a 3.25" 20 shot group at 800 yards with a 308. The NRA icon for accuracy is a painting based on a photo of him at Camp Perry.

Anyway....

But I have shot so many groups with that Rem 510, and some many living things, I know it gets 1" 5 shot groups at 50 yards, with the right ammo, the right scope, no wind, and me paying attention.


Someone sawed the butt off that Rem510 in the early 70s and my brother got it for ~$5.
We put a new butt on it 10 years ago.


My brother with the restored butt.


This Rem 550 semi has the same bee hive rear of the bolt as a 510, 511, or 512.

That's a nice collection you have there. Dad passed away earlier this year and I got my grandmother's 514 single shot. Ironically it has the same month and year of manufacture (1949) as this 512. The 514 isn't nearly as nice as the 512 but it has sentimental value....can't tell you how many hogs it has killed as that was a regular chore while Grandma was alive. I have practically nothing in this 512 as I got it as part of a trade.

Clark, you did well on that Rem m121. I saw some at Cabella's over Thanksgiving weekend that were beat and still $500+. The Win m 61's were almost double that.

davet,
After a lifetime of Rem510 and Rem572 22s, the Win 61 is now my go to rifle for small game.

JB Quik Weld did the trick. It softens above 250* so removal should lnt be bad if I ever decide to do so. Scope is an old Japanese Tasco 6-18x40 AO which is surprisingly bright and crisp.

Good idea, seems like it ought to work. I've used std. JB Weld on my boat with good results. I might be wrong but it seems getting the bases aligned with each other and the muzzle might be the hardest part of it?

I epoxied on a scope base made of angle iron onto a 303 Brit enfield, and it popped off with the first shot.

Given 22 recoil, you can probably get away with it.

I ran fishing line from the front sight, through the V in the rear sight and to the rear of the bolt, then made marks with pencil. I shot a sub 1/2" 5 shot group at 40 yds today with CCI standard velocity. It sure makes the gun more useable having it scoped. Regarding the strength of the JB Weld, I've grabbed onto it pretty tight and it's solid, but for how long who knows?

My advice is DON'T DO IT! The value will only continue to go up if it's in original condition. My wife's uncle gave me a Colt Lightning small frame last month. It's all original, and I intend to keep it that way. I may never sell it, but who knows?

I got this Colt Lightning made in 1890 for $525 two years ago. It is Longs only.
Mine is the worst condition and the worst cartridge for value. Lightnings can bring an incredible price, as can Winchesters.
When I started buying Rem 510, 511, and 512 rifles 15 years ago they were $60. Now they are $160.
That is 200% gain.
My Amazon stock has gone up 6000% gain over the same period.

So when you sacrifice original condition to satisfy your own needs, you have to ask yourself if you can afford it. And can you put up with places like Parallax bills or mosin nagant forums that will ban you for asking about sporterizing a $50 rifle that they made 17 million of them.

Your Colt is a bit older than mine. mine was manufactured in 1899. Are you sure about the longs only? Mine shoots shorts and longs. Pretty sure they all do.