Winchester Model 54

About the Winchester Model 54

The Winchester Model 54 is an American bolt-action rifle produced by the Winchester Repeating Arms Company from 1925 to 1936. Built around a Mauser 98-type action with a controlled-round feed and a five-round internal box magazine, it was Winchester's first commercially successful bolt-action sporting rifle and the gun for which the new .270 Winchester cartridge was introduced. Offered in numerous chamberings including the .30-06 Springfield, it directly influenced the later and more famous Winchester Model 70.

The Model 54 introduced the .270 Winchester cartridge, which became one of the most popular hunting rounds in North America. Its Mauser-derived action and accuracy made it the foundation for the Winchester Model 70, often called 'The Rifleman's Rifle.'

Winchester Model 54 specifications

About 50,000 were produced across standard rifle, carbine, super grade, target and National Match configurations. A 'Speed Lock' improvement in 1933 reduced lock time. The Model 54 was superseded by the Winchester Model 70 in 1936.