Thoughts On The Winchester Model 71

[cruiserdan]

As a side note, back in ‘84 I was at a gun show in Kodiak, AK. A guy was selling several guns and hunting gear. He said they had belonged to a hunting guide that had passed away. He had 2 M71’s, said the guide had them since new. The reason I bring it up is that one had a caliber marking of “.400 Alaskan”. The marking matched the rest of the Winchester markings on the barrel. I’ve always read that .348 is the only caliber the M71 was produced in. I’ve never heard of another sample like that .400. As much as I wanted it, my 24 year old self ended up buying an HK91A3 with all the goodies for the same $600 the guy was asking for either of the M71’s. While it was probably a custom job it was done extremely well.

Are you sure it wasn't .450 Alaskan? Those definitely existed as custom rifles. .348 was the only factory offering and the only rifle ever factory-produced in that cartridge was the Model 71 Winchester and later Browning variant.

 

[444 Magnum]

Years ago I had a 71 Deluxe Carbine in fine condition. I was not into hunting rifles at the time and sold it off, like a dummy! I have never seen another for sale.

The carbines are scarce. My BB, which is older, gives a 150% premium for them.

I ran into two at an auction- a long tang deluxe and a short tang deluxe. The long tang had carry wear and I got it for what I feel was a great price. The short tang came a couple of lots later in the auction and was in much better condition. Lots of bidders. I had to pay up for it but I bought them both. They are on the end to the right in my picture.

 

[6string]

Wow, I’m impressed that there are so many guys with m71s!
I’ve never owned one, but have always admired them and the 348 Winchester cartridge.
You guys have some nice ones!
Great pictures in this thread.

Thanks for sharing!

 

[Yendor357]

I don’t have a 348. But I’ve done some loading for a cousin in law, once removed. The shell holder doesn’t fit much else. It was hard to find one. I still have the Redding dies. From what I gather the 348 was a poor case design. The chamber pressure had to be held fairly low because if not, the case would wedge itself in the chamber, thus jamming the rifle with an empty chamber. Such a condition is conducive to a cheap funeral if you’re in big bear territory.

Even with fairly low chamber pressures, the 348 produced good numbers. I’ve never had the pleasure of firing one, but they have the nasty reputation of being hard on the sending, as well as the receiving end.

 

[mtgianni]

I have shot a few but never owned one. Owning several 358's bolts a 358 94 BB and a Browning BLR, I always thought I was well covered. Ammunition is hard to find as are 348 bullets, gas checks and molds.
If I came across one at a great price I would consider it a reloaders only cartridge.

 

[DWalt]

Wonderful old rifles- essentially an improved 1886. The .348 is quite the cartridge inside of 200 yards or so and unfortunately wasn’t picked up by anyone else. The .358 Winchester was introduced in the 1950s with the idea of “replacing it,” which it kinda did, thought the .358 didn’t necessarily catch fire.

I have never owned nor fired anything in .358 Win, but it seemed to be a great caliber, adequate for most anything hunted in North America. However I do have a full box of Winchester first year of production ammunition. Most appealing to me was the ease of forming cases out of .308 brass and the ability to use any .357 bullet, even those made for .38 Special/.357 Magnum. I believe the ideal hunting rifle is a Savage 99F in .358 Win. Not many of those were made. And to me, at least the equal in every respect to the Model 71 in .348.

 

[Tom K]

I have a few...
Smoothest lever action Winchester ever made.
Variations include short and long tang, deluxe and standard, rifle and carbine, and sight variations.
As already mentioned, it was an improved version of the lightweight 1886 that was available in .45-70 and .33 wcf.
The .348 wcf is a very capable cartridge but has range limitations.

I have a pile of sling swivels and a few slings that I took off these rifles and a few other deluxe Winchesters. I need sight hoods for two of them.

I stocked up on ammo and reloading supplies while it was available.

That's the way to do it.

 

[Rick Sanborn]

Are you sure it wasn't .450 Alaskan? Those definitely existed as custom rifles. .348 was the only factory offering and the only rifle ever factory-produced in that cartridge was the Model 71 Winchester and later Browning variant.

It may have been a .450, it was a long time ago.

 

[quietman123]

I have a 1936 standard not deluxe model in very good condition, serial number 619. It has a very small compass imbedded in the stock which adds to the appeal to me.

 

[TOM BECKWITH]

Probably told this story before but: Had an older half Cherokee friend who bought a Win 71 about 1950 for deer hunting near Roanoke, VA. First year he shot an imported European stag weighing in the 450 # range as I recall, imported for breed improvement? Interesting was that summer he practiced by shooting groundhogs out of apple trees in an orchard. Go figure! I was using a Win 65 in 218 Bee that was borrowed from another friend.
Advance about 70 years and I decided I needed my own Win 65, so I bought a 1936 Deluxe 65 with the bolt sight etc. A little later I decided I needed a Deluxe Win 71 and found a very nice one made in 1936 (my birth year). They may never be shot by me, but they bring back memories of a long past youth and wonderful adventures I had.

 

[BarryinIN]

I have a Winchester Model 71. It is the only rifle in 348 Winchester. For those familiar with it, what are your thoughts?

Thoughts? Oh, I have some thoughts.

The Winchester 71 and .348 Winchester Cartridge – Practically Shooting

practicallyshooting.com