Model 71 experience?

Axle2010 said:

Fzj80 what model is your rifle? It has smooth uncheckered wood but the nicer pistol grip and looks like grip cap like a deluxe.

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As best we can tell, it is an early standard model and not a full deluxe. It just has a few factory added features but lacks checkering. I would love to know more about it myself.

Fzj80 said:

As best we can tell, it is an early standard model and not a full deluxe. It just has a few factory added features but lacks checkering. I would love to know more about it myself.

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Send the serial number to Bert H on the forum at Winchester Arms Collectors Association.

Someone likely added to the rifle after it left the factory, but he can confirm if there could be any factory added features.

There is also a handy serial number tool that will confirm build year.

Tim

Axle2010 said:

Hey guys how many of you have experience with the Winchester Model 71 in 348 Win? I've wanted one for years and they seem to finally be somewhat affordable so I've got my eye on a pretty decent one. I'm not a collector so I will be using it whenever I'm in lever gun ranges on deer and pigs. What do you guys think of the rifle and round? Anything I should know before I pull the trigger? I'm looking at a short tang deluxe from i believe 1952.

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@Axle2010
Always wanted one but could never afford one.
I remember reading over 55 years ago how the 348 would ream out a big whitetail buck from arse to breakfast.
The 358 win is the modern iteration of the 348.
When I got older I figured if'n the 348 and 358 where that good then the Whelen had to be better so I got a Whelen and stoked it up.
I still have a soft spot for the 71 in 348.
Bob

In 2004 I bought one of the M71 High Grade Browning 20" Carbines. I really did not mess with it a lot, I bought bullets/dies and brass, ended up firing 60 rounds total over several months for load data.
I was not really impressed with the caliber to be honest.

Later I discovered I could convert these to a proper caliber, .500. I developed the 50 B&M Alaskan, a true .500 caliber cartridge by squeezing down Starline .510 caliber brass. Easy, simple, size and start shooting. Over the years after working with Cutting Edge and North Fork we developed some super bullets designed specifically for the cartridge in .500 caliber. Rifles were standard 18 inch barrels and rather handy. Not to mention damn good looking...... or to my mind anyway.

After the 50 B&M AK, I never looked at or tested anymore 348s.

I ended up with 5 of these in the end.





Layne Simpson being a lever action fan also liked the rifle and cartridge, doing several articles on it, even building his own rifle as well. In his first article he used one of my Brownings I sent to him.

michael458 said:

In 2004 I bought one of the M71 High Grade Browning 20" Carbines. I really did not mess with it a lot, I bought bullets/dies and brass, ended up firing 60 rounds total over several months for load data.
I was not really impressed with the caliber to be honest.

Later I discovered I could convert these to a proper caliber, .500. I developed the 50 B&M Alaskan, a true .500 caliber cartridge by squeezing down Starline .510 caliber brass. Easy, simple, size and start shooting. Over the years after working with Cutting Edge and North Fork we developed some super bullets designed specifically for the cartridge in .500 caliber. Rifles were standard 18 inch barrels and rather handy. Not to mention damn good looking...... or to my mind anyway.

After the 50 B&M AK, I never looked at or tested anymore 348s.

I ended up with 5 of these in the end.

View attachment 734910

View attachment 734909

Layne Simpson being a lever action fan also liked the rifle and cartridge, doing several articles on it, even building his own rifle as well. In his first article he used one of my Brownings I sent to him.

View attachment 734908

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Man those are gorgeous. I know a lot of 71's have been converted to 500 S&W but didn't know about the B&M. I'll look into that