Browning 71 Carbine

David LaPell · Sep 15, 2019

I have always wanted a Model 71 for as long as I can recall. I have seen a few Winchester Model 71's over the years, most have been well out of my price range. A few months back, a guy brought an entire collection of Model 71's into a local gun shop. He had two Winchester 71 deluxe rifles and three Browning 71's in, all of the Brownings were new in the box. The guy was in his 70's and whittling his collection down, and back when the Browning 71's came out in 1986, he bought each of his three sons a Browning 71, none of them wanted the guns, so he kept them. I was there and saw the last Browning, this one a carbine, so I bought it, much cheaper than the Winchesters, so I got it.
One thing I found is that the .348 Winchester is a little stout, the recoil isn't so much in the shoulder, but the narrowness of the comb of the stock was like getting smacked in the face when shooting from the bench, even with a leather cartridge cuff it doesn't help much. So that, and the cost of the ammo, I have gotten into handloading for it, these with 200 grain cast bullets from Montana Bullet Works and a mild charge of IMR-4895.
Now the gun is more pleasant to shoot, still not something you want to shoot all day long, but sure enough for whitetail. I just ordered a Williams receiver sight for it and hopefully that will tighten the groups up more.
I took it out with the handloads, the bison target is at 50 yards, the regular target at 25 yards.

biku324 · Sep 15, 2019

Those are sure beautiful rifles - good for you! I've found that whennibwait and get t exactly what I want, I don't spend money something that is 'almost' what I want several times.

Valmet · Sep 15, 2019

Used to have a Winchester 71 Deluxe, sold it about 10 years ago as ammo was difficult to find (and expensive). Always thought the Carbines were very cool, would like to shoot one

Ivan the Butcher · Sep 15, 2019

I bought one of the Browning 1886 45-70 rifles when they first came out in 1986. Those actions are smooth as butter!

I don't know who made it, but in the late 80's, Browning marketed 348 ammo under their own name in a black box. I saw it commonly into the early 2010's around here.

Ivan

steveno · Sep 15, 2019

a friend of mine had the Browning M-71 348. I shot it a few times and from I had heard it was not supposed to be fun to shoot. I didn't think it was that bad. Scheel's had one a number of years ago for $650. I would have considered it if I would have had the money. factory ammo is expensive if you can find it and I'm not sure if Winchester even loads it anymore. if they do it is every few years

Capt. F. · Sep 15, 2019

David LaPell said:
I have always wanted a Model 71 for as long as I can recall. I have seen a few Winchester Model 71's over the years, most have been well out of my price range. A few months back, a guy brought an entire collection of Model 71's into a local gun shop. He had two Winchester 71 deluxe rifles and three Browning 71's in, all of the Brownings were new in the box. The guy was in his 70's and whittling his collection down, and back when the Browning 71's came out in 1986, he bought each of his three sons a Browning 71, none of them wanted the guns, so he kept them. I was there and saw the last Browning, this one a carbine, so I bought it, much cheaper than the Winchesters, so I got it.

One thing I found is that the .348 Winchester is a little stout, the recoil isn't so much in the shoulder, but the narrowness of the comb of the stock was like getting smacked in the face when shooting from the bench, even with a leather cartridge cuff it doesn't help much. So that, and the cost of the ammo, I have gotten into handloading for it, these with 200 grain cast bullets from Montana Bullet Works and a mild charge of IMR-4895.
Now the gun is more pleasant to shoot, still not something you want to shoot all day long, but sure enough for whitetail. I just ordered a Williams receiver sight for it and hopefully that will tighten the groups up more.
I took it out with the handloads, the bison target is at 50 yards, the regular target at 25 yards.

My grandfather had a Model 71 deluxe that, as a kid, I was enamored with. Each year we’d go to their house while on vacation and I was allowed to handle the rifle. I dreamed of the day my grandfather would hopefully present it to me.
One year when we arrived I asked to handle the 71. My grandfather said to my horror, “ I traded the gun for the rights to cut off a wood lot”.
I vowed that one day i’d own one. Forty five years ago I stopped at a local gun shop that had just taken a Deluxe in. I paid the ridiculous price of $225 and finally had my 71.
My grandfather passed away a few years after the woodlot trade and shortly before my grandmother passed away we were visiting when she said she had something for me - an original box of Winchester .348 250 grain Silver Tips that evidently hadn’t gone with the woodlot deal.
I still have the 71 and the box of shells.
Although I no longer hunt, it accounted for numerous deer when I did and none walked away from my hand loads of IMR 4064 and the Barnes 250 grain bullets. It has always been my favorite rifle.
My son has been making noise over the last few years asking when he was going to get to take it home. Maybe it’s time to pass it on.

max · Sep 15, 2019

Sixty five or so years ago, a friend had a toy rifle that was a copy of the 71. I always thought it was a great looking rifle and played with it whenever I could. I saw the real thing a few times and thought they were most attractive also.

BearBio · Sep 15, 2019

I LOVED my 1936-7 Deluxe. Retiring and shrinking my "collection" and I wanted to cry when I sold mine, along with my two SASS Colt SAAs.

kmyers · Sep 15, 2019

Beautiful rifle. Always wanted one myself, but the cost and then the cost and availability of ammunition...

Freischütz · Sep 16, 2019

Starline makes 348 cases.

Rock185 · Sep 22, 2019

The 71s are beautiful guns, whether Winchester or the Browning/Miroku versions. I got to shoot a neighbors Winchester 71. I believe his was the Deluxe model. Recoil, and chronographed ballistics, seemed very similar to my .350 Remington Mag. carbine. A powerful, beautifully made, lever gun that approximates .350 Mag ballistics, impressive indeed.

jimmyj · Sep 22, 2019

Possible the groups will tighten up using jacketed bullets ?

richcory · Sep 22, 2019

Love my Winchester M71, purchased on this forum actually. Congrats on the purchase. I hope you enjoy it.

Cory

Fishinfool · Sep 23, 2019

Nice rifle you have there. I owned an original 71 Deluxe that I sold when offered crazy money. Also owned a Browning 71 High Grade. Shot it total of two shots - One to see where it was hitting, and one shot to kill a doe. Wanted to be able to say I shot a deer with it. Eventually sold it because it was to pretty to take out hunting, and didn't want it to just sit in the safe.

Larry

scooter123 · Sep 23, 2019

In regards to your face slapping issue an item from the Shotgun world should provide a solution. I have a Browning BPS and it will slap my face hard enough to bruise my cheek bone when shooting Trap. At the suggestion of a fellow shooter I purchased a Beretta cheek pad from Miday and now have no pain at all when shooting trap.

BTW, these are available in two thicknesses are made out of a self stick soft clear vinyl. Clean the stock with rubbing alcohol and then carefully place the pad in place starting at an edge so you don't get any air bubbles. Note, mine has been mounted on my BPS for over a year and doesn't show any sign of lifting off the stock.

Following is a link to the pad.

Beretta Gel-Tek Cheek Protector

dave1918a2 · Sep 23, 2019

Had a Winchester 71 Deluxe first and couldn't get any decent accuracy with factory 200 grainers or My reloads. Sold it and bought a Browning 71 rifle. Whole different story. Put a williams pep sight on it and factory 200's grouped around 3 inches at 50 yards. My handloads of Barnes 250 originals and Their new 220 HP shoot around 2 inches at 100, with the 250 being the most accurate. Used 55gr H4831. Enjoy Your rifle.

federali · Sep 23, 2019

Great Rifle!

The .348 Winchester was indeed a popular big game cartridge and can still do the job. Recoil is usually not a factor when you're dressed for the cold, shooting from a field position and only firing one or two rounds.

I hope you won't be tempted to cut the stock to add a recoil pad.

richcory · Sep 29, 2019

FYI for anyone still looking for factory loaded 348 ammunition. Hornady sells it with the 200 grain FTX. Buffalo Bore also sells it with the 250 grain Barnes original.

The BB stuff cost is expensive but shoots really well in my M71. I need to see how the Hornady stuff shoots still.

Hope this helps someone.

Cory

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