I walked into a shop I had not visited since a few days before Christmas. There it was, center of the wall. I always wanted a real one. I didn’t even handle the thing for fear of carrying it home. The man who left it on consignment was very old and stated his elk hunting days were long gone.

Wow....If I was in your shoes, depending on the condition and price, it would have been on the way home with me.

I used one to kill an elk and my son-in-law used it to kill a bison. Winchester quality in those years was stunning. Working the lever and chambering a round was solid, is the only way I can put it. Compared to modern lever guns there was no comparison.

A real man's gun with great heft and balance. At one time I had 3 of them. I never took one hunting, but I kept one when I gave up collecting Winchesters.

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6/23/2022

I have one & wouldn't sell it. I'd encourage you to buy it.

Cory

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Cory
SWCA #3015 SWHF #465

A few years ago, a neighbor who has since passed away, owned a very nice 71. He had not shot it in some time, gave me some factory .348 Win. ammo and asked me to take it to the range and shoot it. I did.

A beautifully fitted and finished rifle, that functioned flawlessly.

Attached Images

Model 71, .348 Winchester.JPG (112.6 KB, 202 views)

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NRA Life, COTEP 640

I had customized one for a while. Here is a good write up on them: Winchester 71 Info

Beautiful rifles. At one time, I owned both an original model 71, and the Browning high grade recreation. Took several deer with the 71, and one with the Browning. I don't have a lot of room for guns I don't use much, and so both went down the road when I was offered more $$ then they were worth. I attached a couple pics of the Browning version.

Larry

Attached Images

	348 win 2.jpg (145.6 KB, 480 views)
	348 win.jpg (163.5 KB, 483 views)

You should have taken a close look at it. They came in a variety of styles (pre/post war, standard/deluxe, rifle/carbine) and some bring a substantial premium.

I’ve hung onto this one for decades, an early post-war deluxe rifle with a bolt peep.

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"I also cook."

I have an early deluxe with a bolt peep sight which was my primary hunting rifle for years.” Although I no longer deer hunt, I’ve kept it and occasionally run a few rounds through it for old time sake.
Years ago when Barnes Bullets was in business I ordered 4 boxes of 250 bullets, as at that time they were the only company to offer that weight. Still have a box somewhere.
With a charge of 4064 and the 250 grain Barnes it was an extremely accurate rifle I would have put up against most bolt guns out to 100 yards.
My son who is a deer hunter, has been nagging at me of late to let it start spending time in his gun safe. Maybe it’s time?

Just this weekend at our little gun show I bought a box full of 348 Winchester bullets, brass, dies and ammo. High dollar stuff from a former gun writer. Am going to have to sell most of the bullets to recover from my initial investment.

Many years ago I acquired a 71 Deluxe Carbine in an elaborate trade deal. I traded it off, like a dummy! Once while on a motorcycle trip through Cody, I stopped at the museum while a show was going on. One guy had several of them on his table. I was amazed because I have never seen another one.

There is one for sale in my area.

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Psalm 27:2

This is a link to an old thread of mine, like from 2010. It is a "feel good" story of how a Winchester Model 71played into me getting my pre 29.

My conscience nets me a 4 screw 29 UPDATED WITH PICS

This is as close as I ever got to one. I gave it to a friend who has a fine example.


Regards,

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turnerriver

The 71 and 64 are my favorite Winchester lever guns. I have a 64 in 32 spl (1935); I am still contemplating a 71.

Attached Images

717E469B-089E-49D7-B527-D7D9CB6416FB.jpeg (106.4 KB, 59 views)

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213th FBINA

I've had three, all pre-war deluxe, all with bolt peeps. Last one was the nicest, but had been converted to 45/70. Wish I still had any one of them.

They were quite popular here in Michigan and you see them from time to time. I've had several over the years and still have all the stuff to load some ammo. Heck of a rifle and one heck of a cartridge.

I had one in the past but I sold it at a weak moment.

Wow, there's a special 20" Carbine Engraved 348 71 on GB serial #7 for $39,500

I have a 71 Deluxe rifle made in 1954. I love it and have hunted with it, taken deer with it. I will take it on my next elk hunt. I paid what I thought was a hefty price but it's already worth probably $1k more than I paid, and I got 8 boxes of new old stock (yellow and blue box) W-W brass with it, along with 400 200 grain Hornady bullets. Then I found 7 boxes of factory loads and got those at a very fair price, so I can shoot it till I'm too old to do so anymore.

Back in 80s me & buddy were at a residence on business. Guy was a fishing nut. My buddy has just bought a Garcia Ambassador 5500 and matching rod that morning. It was in the truck, so he gets it out to show the guy and get into trade mode. Buddy traded new fishing outfit for excellent m71. Not a deluxe. Guy had gun left to him and didn’t hunt or own a shell for it. Now in 1980 a nice 71 would bring $800. That rifle today would be $2k+

Was given this one in return for helping out in an estate sale.
Bob

Some very nice examples. A rifle and caliber I would love to have but with the game hunted here not as practical as others. A fun rifle that I have gotten to shoot at times visiting family in Montana over the years.

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KM
S&WCA 3110 S&WHF 625

Around 95 I picked up a 71 deluxe. 1953 I think. Bought dies, brass and bullets. Had a box of Hornaday 200's. Didn't shoot worth a darn. Got some Barnes 250 and 225 gr HP. Couldn't get it to shoot under 4 inches at 100 yards. Found a Browning 71 at a gun show a friend had for sale and bought it. Wow, what a difference. With a peep I was shooting around an inch with several loads. Traded the Winchester on a Bob Mundin Colt SSA and never looked back. Carried it hunting for years and never got to cherry it.

I’ve enjoyed this thread and the shared pictures & experiences with the Model 71.
I don’t think I’ve ever come across one, but you can bet I will buy the first one I see if it’s within my budget!
Thanks for furthering my lever action education!
-Bill

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Veteran Paratrooper, '86-'90

Speaking of old winchesters, last week I came across a mod 64 in .25-35 that was going to go on consignment - blueing mostly gone but in fair shape and it’ll be $1600 - I need reasons not to buy it…

There are 2 article on the Model 71 in the newest Shooting Times.