Remington Model 513
A .22 target rifle produced from 1940 to 1968.
The Remington Model 513 Matchmaster, a bolt-action rifle, was produced between 1940 and 1968. Built for target shooting, it used a sturdy half stock with sling swivels, a beavertail fore end, and a straight comb that rose at the heel. The heavy, semi-floating barrel measured 27 inches. Its patented trigger mechanism included an adjustable stop. The rifle fired only .22-caliber Long Rifle cartridges from a detachable magazine. Civilian versions received a blued finish; those made for the U.S. Army and ROTC could be either blued or parkerized.
A letter code stamped on the left side of the barrel, just ahead of the receiver, indicates the manufacturing date. The two middle letters usually represent the month and year, while the first and fourth characters are inspector stamps. The serial number appears on the underside of the barrel, forward of the stock.
Variants include the Model 513T, which came with Redfield aperture sights, a 27-inch heavy barrel, an American walnut target stock, a six-shot magazine, and 1.25-inch sling swivels. The "T" denotes the target model, originally fitted with target sights. The "S" variant was a medium-weight sporter, designated Model 513TS or 513S, with standard sporting sights, a non-target barrel, a ramp or post front sight, and no rear receiver mounting block for an aperture sight. The Model 513TX was set up for a scope and shipped without sights.
In 1940, the government contracted Remington for 10,000 .22 target rifles. During World War II, the 513T was used by the Army for training, including issue to DCM-affiliated clubs for junior training and to ROTC units. Army-purchased rifles were stamped "U.S. PROPERTY" on the barrel and receiver. According to Remington, approximately 137,302 Model 513s were manufactured. Today, the 513T Matchmaster remains in use for smallbore competitions, with values ranging from $200 to $700 depending on condition.
Quick Facts
- Origin
- United States
- Is Ranged
- yes
- Manufacturer
- Remington
- Production Date
- 1940–1968
- Variants
- 513S Sporter / 513T Target
- Weight
- 9 pounds (4.08 kg)(Empty magazine)
- Part Length
- 27 inches (685.8 mm)
- Cartridge
- .22 Long Rifle
- Action
- Bolt-Action
- Feed
- 6-round or 10-round detachable magazine
- Sights
- Redfield 75 rear sight & / Redfield 68 globe front sight.
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
The Remington Model 513 Matchmaster was developed for target shooting and saw extensive use by the U.S. military. In 1940, the government contracted Remington for 10,000 .22 target rifles. During World War II, the Model 513T was used by the Army for training, including issue to DCM affiliated clubs for training juniors and to ROTC units. Rifles purchased by the Army were stamped "U.S. PROPERTY" on the barrel and receiver.
Civilian versions of the Matchmaster have a blued finish, while those made for U.S. Army and ROTC service can have either a blued or a parkerized finish. The rifle is equipped with a patented Matchmaster trigger mechanism that has an adjustable stop. The Model 513T variant came with Redfield aperture sights, a 27-inch heavy barrel, a target stock of American Walnut, a six-shot magazine, and 1.25-inch sling swivels. The "T" suffix indicates the target model with target sights.
Other variants include the Model 513S (or 513TS), a medium-weight sporter with regular sporting-style sights, a non-target-type barrel, a ramp or post front sight, and no rear receiver mounting block for a rear aperture sight. The Model 513TX was set up for a scope and came with no sights. A letter code stamped on the left side of the barrel, just forward of the receiver, indicates the month and year of manufacture, with the first and/or fourth characters being inspectors' stamps. The serial number is stamped on the underside of the barrel, just forward of the stock.
Reader's Guide
The Remington Model 513 Matchmaster holds a significant place in smallbore target shooting history. Produced over a 28-year span, it was designed specifically for competitive target use, as evidenced by its heavy semi-floating barrel, adjustable trigger, and target-style stock. Its adoption by the U.S. Army for training during World War II and its continued use in smallbore competitions today underscore its durability and accuracy. The rifle's various models—the target-oriented 513T, the sporter 513S, and the scope-ready 513TX—allowed it to serve different shooting needs while maintaining the core Matchmaster design. The approximate total of 137,302 units manufactured indicates its widespread popularity. Today, Remington 513T Matchmasters are still used in smallbore competitions and are valued from $200 to $700 depending on condition, reflecting their enduring legacy as a reliable and precise .22 target rifle.
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