Picked up a Winchester model 71 deluxe rifle today, a gun I have always wanted and never found at the right time and price. Looking forward to shooting it and hunting with it!

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Very nice rifle. I had a real nice one a couple years ago, standard
model. Guy came along with a nice 86 in 33win and I traded him.
Still have the ammo & dies, waiting for another one to come
along. I carried deer hunting and got my deer. Only a 35yds shot
but it killed it dead, on the spot. A friend of mine in Ontario, swears by it for moose. In my area price on them is off the scales.

A true classic. Looks nice, with the peep site. Congratulations.

Congratulations, one of the nicest and smoothest actions ever made.

I had one once and used it to take and elk and buffalo. A beautiful rifle made with milled steel and walnut. No mass produced castings, plastic or stamped tin parts. From a day long gone when gun manufactures took pride in their work and product.

Beautiful rifle indeed. Yep that baby is put together well. Imagine what they would cost if made the same way today!

Love it, awesome rifle! Congrats and enjoy!!

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NRA Life Member

Congratulations. I call the 71 the apex lever rifle. Not only is it my favorite lever, it may be my favorite rifle period. Mine:

Deluxe Rifle:


Standard Rifle:

I have one, too. Serial number is 820. It would one of the last firearms I would ever sell.

How do they differ from an 86? More than just the curved lever?

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Dick Burg

Good rundown of '86 vs. 71 here:
Winchester 71 Info

MAJPATT: Thank you that is an excellent review, very well written and references to take those interested further. Naturally some had to wild cat the cartridge and butcher a few rifles, mainly for the idea of "brush busting" I got to shoot one and did note heavier recoil but that was all I believe.

My favorite lever-gun. I just bought my second =a 1936-7 Deluxe with bolt-mounted peep and sling swivels. Someone's elk rifle, probably the original owner (All for $700! WITH a box of 200 gr Silvertips). Selling my first one (sold An original 1886 to get it)=a Browning High-Grade but I'll NEVER sell the "old girl".

An interesting side note. The bolt mounted peep sight was quite the cat's meow when it came out. It was only available on the 71's and 64's. The last bolt peep I saw for sale sold for double what the entire 71 cost the last year of production.

I've been told, up to $1000.00 for the bolt mounted peep (if original).

Probably the reason the bolt mounted peep sights are so expensive is that if the sight is removed, there is a rather unsightly groove in the top of the bolt. The alternative to finding a sight is to find a replacement bolt. Good luck with that!

Many years ago ( at least forty) I bought some parts from Numrich, with the thought of converting an 86. I bought a new barrel,a bolt, a set of locking lugs and a deluxe forearm for about forty dollars. I know the barrel was $24.95. After a few years, I gave up on the idea, and sold the parts for about $200. Within a year, I ran across a beautiful deluxe that had been magnaported. Talk about disgusted.

Had a chance to both shoot and fondle a 71 some years back, Was in beautiful condition and accurate. Never saw one I could afford after that. As a matter of fact I haven't seen one that was for sale at any price. guess them that owns then ain't turning them loos anytime soon. Beautiful rifles. I just will have to settle for my winchester 1894's in 30-30 and 375 win. Frank

Has anyone here shot the Browning and/or Winchester repros of the Model 71? Some are quite high grade.

Were they chambered for the .348 Winchester, like the original? Ammo is a problem. But few now buy them to hunt with, I guess.

I've handled a few '71s, and owned a few '86s, but never had the pleasure of owning a nice '71. They are definitely a smooth action!
I did however, own a nice '64 Deluxe in 30WCF. An early first year production that was like new. Sort of a little brother to the '71.
Nice find you have there!

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Been up since before breakfast

Congratulations, they're a great rifle!

FYI - Bolt Peeps were also available on the Model 65 (this one's a Bee).

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"I also cook."

Had one of the synthetic stock rifles, Win 94 though with 24" barrel and Half mag tube. Handled real well, blistered several deer. Always a joy to carry and shoot. Got wrapped up in bolt guns and traded it. Would love to have a 71!!!!I'm down to a 94 16" carbine in .357. Love it, but am lusting after a 71!

I have a high grade browning. Shoots OK. Wife bought it for me for X-mas a few years back. They had two and I told her I had seen them at a local shop, so she bought me the "prettier" one. I'm selling that one to a friend's husband this month, now that I have the original. Brass and ammo are a "one run a year" situation. Both are available on Gunbroker. Ammo is about $75 a box, higher for 200 and 250 gr, especially Silvertips. I've bought about 500 brass and loaded ammo since Christmas==some good deals out there==some not so good==some real gimmicks!

Of course, if he doesn't buy it, I won't be heartbroken.

Congratulations ~ Beautiful!

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John
S&WCA Life Member

Congratulations! A wonderful rifle.

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Rush

I have the most beautiful Perdoselli/Winchester 1886/71 in .45-70. Got it at Cabela's about 4 years ago. It has the bolt that is drilled and tapped for the peep sight that's made for it.
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Sent from my SM-G960U using Tapatalk

Early in my collecting years, I traded into a 71 Deluxe Carbine. I was more into handguns all my life than rifles, not being a hunter and being a cop. I traded for two 2nd Gen. Colt Single Actions. I had never seen a Deluxe Carbine before and have never seen one since at a show or in a shop. The same year I was taking a motorcycle trip with the wife and went through Cody when there was a show at the Museum. I guy there had several on his table, go figure. I always wished I had kept that beautiful carbine.

I have a Browning standard grade 1886 from 1986 in 45-70. It has a butter smooth action.

In 2005, I bought a New Winchester '86 (made 2005) take down in 45-90. One of 501 made, if the other 500 were as bad as mine that was 501 too many. Myself and two other lever action gunsmiths worked on it and couldn't get the "Hitch" out of the action. It would jerk off you shoulder every time you cycled the action. I was so disappointed, I always wanted a take down 1886!

Ivan

Back when they were new, a store about 1 mile from my home had a brand new one for sale, $87.00. I wanted it so bad, would ride my bicycle to visit it regularly.

I asked the owner if I could put it on lay a way and he figured 1/2 of my pay ($5.00 a week) was not enough, then one day she was gone. I can still see her hanging on his wall! Bought one years later, not a target rifle, but ever so sweet action like butter. Absolutely one of Winchester's best!

I know this is an old thread with some recent life, but I love my Winchester 71 & my Browning 1886. Here is the 71 hunting this year.

Cory

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Cory
SWCA #3015 SWHF #465

My dentist has a 1938 M71 deluxe, absolute mint condition. I Imagine he could easily have bought a few of them for what I have paid him over the last 15 years.

I went to buy a 71 back in the early 70's. It had been discontinued so I bought a 444 Marlin. I would still love to have one. {in 348}

BTW I do love my 24 inch 444.

Regret selling mine but old age, brittle bones and a weak ticker precludes any hunting.