So I walked into Cabelas...

[John J]

Saw this Browning made, model 71 .348 Win at an ok price. It didn't leave my hand while I researched and made a phone call. Then I saw this Ruger 375 Hawkeye with a VX 3 1.75 - 6 scope. The .348 looks like a safe queen and I prefer receiver sights. The Ruger has been hunted with but for the price of the rifle and scope I picked up the rifle for about $250 if you value the scope about $400 which is what they were selling them for. No ammo for either on the shelf but I'm happy. I been thinking about sending my CZ to AHR but been thinking about not spending money. There goes that idea, spending money was pretty easy. Maybe I should just send it.

 

[375 Ruger Fan]

Congratulations! When I bought my 375 Ruger, during one of the Obama ammo shortages, I bought about 200 rounds of Hornady ammo from various sources on GB. I wanted to make sure I had a fair amount of brass in case the 375 Ruger didn't catch on. I would say it's here to stay and continues to grow in popularity. If you don't reload, both Swift and Hendershots are good sources for premium hunting ammo.

 

[Red Leg]

Model 71's are special - even the modern ones. Particularly so with that peep. Well done.

 

[tarbe]

I still want to get a 71...probably a recent production just due to the value (to me, as a shooter vs collector).

Nice scores!

 

[Rob404]

Cabelas is a Dangerous Place,,love that Lever gun

 

[Velo Dog]

Saw this Browning made, model 71 .348 Win at an ok price. It didn't leave my hand while I researched and made a phone call. Then I saw this Ruger 375 Hawkeye with a VX 3 1.75 - 6 scope. The .348 looks like a safe queen and I prefer receiver sights. The Ruger has been hunted with but for the price of the rifle and scope I picked up the rifle for about $250 if you value the scope about $400 which is what they were selling them for. No ammo for either on the shelf but I'm happy. I been thinking about sending my CZ to AHR but been thinking about not spending money. There goes that idea, spending money was pretty easy. Maybe I should just send it.View attachment 225798

John J,

Likely you will never regret bagging the M-71 .348 with receiver sight.
They are fairly common here in Alaska and no doubt all species of game here, from blacktailed deer upwards has been taken with same.
Likewise, I agree with Red Leg that, both the original Winchester-made ones and the later, Browning-made ones are very good rifles.

About 30 years ago, it was my favorite hunting rifle for awhile back then.
Today, I am still tempted by them sometimes.
The one I had was amazingly accurate and of course being ballistically similar to the .358 Winchester, it is adequate for up to and including large northern moose.
If I was still hunting larger than grouse and hare around here, it's likely I'd have another one.
(For that same "if", I wouldn't turn my nose up at a M-95 in .405 either lol).

Cheers,
Velo Dog.

 

[cagkt3]

Nothing like buying some new-to-you rifles!! Congrats

 

[fourfive8]

OH yes! The Win 71 was probably the best lever gun ever designed by Browning (simply a refined Win model 1886). Have owned and shot five different originals. Sold the last one about a year ago. Thoroughly enjoyed shooting them. The only downside was lack of premium bullet options. Peep sights work well on those. I liked the bolt peep- small, simple, effective.

 

[John J]

OH yes! The Win 71 was probably the best lever gun ever designed by Browning (simply a refined Win model 1886). Have owned and shot five different originals. Sold the last one about a year ago. Thoroughly enjoyed shooting them. The only downside was lack of premium bullet options. Peep sights work well on those. I liked the bolt peep- small, simple, effective.

The first time I saw a peep sight I liked it, and added one to my sole lever gun at the time asap after a hunt. Bullet selection was in the back of my mind as far as premium offerings. Looks like Swift A frame, Barnes original, Hawk and Woodleigh. 200- 270 gr, I'm good with them at 348 velocity. There is always casting and alloy experimentation.

 

[fourfive8]

The first time I saw a peep sight I liked it, and added one to my sole lever gun at the time asap after a hunt. Bullet selection was in the back of my mind as far as premium offerings. Looks like Swift A frame, Barnes original, Hawk and Woodleigh. 200- 270 gr, I'm good with them at 348 velocity. There is always casting and alloy experimentation.

Yes, when Swift added the lever action line with the 348 that was a game changer for the cartridge. Excellent bullet for the M71! The only half way decent, tougher bullet available when I was doing my shooting was the thick jacketed Hawk.

 

[Shootist43]

My Win. model 71 was built in 1936, she bares ser. no. 14XXX. Whenever I go out on one of my nostalgic hunts i.e. irons only, this is the rifle that comes with me.

 

[CAustin]

It’s always a good idea to stroll through the gun area at Cabelas

 

[ChrisG]

Great buys! That 71 is beautiful! The only thing I wish winchester had done is checker them. The Ruger is a working man's rifle and I hope you put it through its paces. Both of those cartridges are wonderful game getters!

 

[mdwest]

It’s always a good idea to stroll through the gun area at Cabelas

Strolling through the gun area at Cabelas is almost always a BAD idea for me..

Every time I do it, something follows me home..

If its not another rifle or pistol.. its more powder, more primers, more projectiles, another cleaning kit, a new sling, etc..etc..

I almost never escape unscathed..

The Bargain Cave and Gun Vault are particularly harmful to my wallet..

 

[Rick Cox]

Saw this Browning made, model 71 .348 Win at an ok price. It didn't leave my hand while I researched and made a phone call. Then I saw this Ruger 375 Hawkeye with a VX 3 1.75 - 6 scope. The .348 looks like a safe queen and I prefer receiver sights. The Ruger has been hunted with but for the price of the rifle and scope I picked up the rifle for about $250 if you value the scope about $400 which is what they were selling them for. No ammo for either on the shelf but I'm happy. I been thinking about sending my CZ to AHR but been thinking about not spending money. There goes that idea, spending money was pretty easy. Maybe I should just send it.View attachment 225798

I'm jealous about that M71. Congratulations!

 

[John J]

Thanks gentleman. Took a few shots with the Ruger today. I like it so far, wasn't shooting for accuracy. Carries nice and recoil is negligible. Just need to order some 348 ammo if I can find it or get loading for it asap. Since joining AH this will be my 5th rifle purchase...thanks really. I still have dies that haven't been taken out of the original package and another rifle shows up that I need to reload for. I was set on my 45 70 properly loaded for Aussie buff. Well here come AH over and over again in my research. Then comes a 9.3×62, yea coincidental timing. Then 375 H&H and a 416 three weeks later. Now a good price on a 375 Ruger and a 348 win happens to be near. My next question is, as in another thread what's next? I drooled over a 505 Gibbs and was heart broken when it sold. Figured it was to much I should work my way up. Don't know if I should keep my eye out for a 45 cal or if I come across a 50? Members seem to like the 500 Jeff.

 

[Shootist43]

Buffalo Bore has some 348 Winchester ammo for sale. not cheap $90.00 a box of 20. Winchester made a run of ammo a couple of years ago but it may be all sold out by now. You can buy Dies, Brass and Bullets that is what I had to do.

 

[BWH]

Cabelas is the reason I will never get to retire.... I am 4 miles from home to my office.... Cabelas is the exact halfway point...
At 2 miles.

 

[cagkt3]

Cabelas is the reason I will never get to retire.... I am 4 miles from home to my office.... Cabelas is the exact halfway point...
At 2 miles.

Brad that's just called good planning

 

[BWH]

Hell.... I guess. Thx for the words of support. I guess the impulse buys are a trade of in gas or shipping I would other wise pay.