Winchester Model 71

B

B Cuz

New member
I have inherited from my dad a Winchester model 71 .348 lever action. Its in fairly good shape, has older peep installed but may have come with it from Winchester.

This is a field grade 24" rifle that's heavy but feels good and balanced to shoulder. It has plenty of use marks on the furniture:( but the bluing is batter than 90%). I got around 100 rounds of ammo, some bullets (100) and some brass (50 pcs). It has a 4 digit serial #, 6XXX.

I've shot it a few times, I like it. How hard is it to find ammo? (I don't reload ... yet). Pretty cool old rifle. My dad had told me it had belonged to his grandfather in Tenn. but had done a 25 year stint in Alaska with him.

Any thoughts from The Firing Line on this rifle?
 
It's a prime candidate for reloading since it's hard to find ammo for it. Oftentimes , someone will have a box or two at one of the larger gunshows. You can order it online from Midway, or bid on some on gunbroker. You can pretty much forget about finding any at your local sporting goods store. If it were mine, I would build up a stock of ammo and reloading components for it sufficient to never have to worry about ammo for it ever again. Bullet mould too, just in case.....
 
The picture isn't all that clear but the rear sight looks like a factory original. I agree with reloading as ammo ain't cheap and not all that easy to find sometimes. I've been kicking myself for ever selling off the one I had. :(
Paul B.
 
The Model 71 is a terrific rifle, the final evolution of the big cartridge lever actions. The stock was designed by Townsend Whelen and it comes up and points like a fine shotgun. The action is super smooth. It's also, IMHO, the best looking rifle ever made.

I have a standard rifle with a bolt peep like the OPs that I got from my father and a Browning reproduction carbine. Ammo is not cheap. Winchester factory rounds were $75 a box 5 years ago, but sadly it appears that they have since stopped making them. Under the circumstances $75 a box for boutique ammo is a "bargain".

It's not a rifle for casual plinking, but if you need to winkle an elk out of dark timber there's nothing better.
 
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Thanks for the pix. That's one heck of a nice rifle. It begs to be hunted with. More power than needed for Deer, as it is really intended for Elk, Moose, Grizzly, and the like. But I would use it for Deer anyway. Gotta love those Silvertips in the yellow box; I'd hunt with those. I can't quite make out the price-tag on the yellow box....... It looks to be from the late '60's to early-mid '70's. If the ammo looks excellent, it probably is. If it looks doubtful, I pull it down and reload with fresh powder and primers. If the cases are seriously corroded, then at least salvage the bullets. I think it's a mistake that Winchester discontinued their signature Silvertip.
 
I owned one briefly in the 1970's but sold it because of the stout recoil. The model 71 is a slightly modified form of the model 1886. Massive vertical locking lugs make for a very strong action. The 348 cartridge is based upon the much older 50-110 Express.

The model 71 went out of production in 1956 due to poor sales. Unfair but true. North American hunters have habitually ignored the middle bores.

Marlin's 444 has replaced the model 71 as an alternative to the 348 cartridge. That is, a big bore rifle suitable for truly large game at reasonable shooting distances.

Model 71 rifles sell for a considerable amount of cash these days.

Jack
 
grand old rifle

That is a fine old rifle from the Win heyday, well cared for, showing honest use.

Twenty years in Alaska.....wish it could talk.
 
71

The model 71 in 348 Win was the most powerful lever gun available in its heyday,
The gun is also a favorite for someone looking to convert to either the 450 Alaskan or the 50 Alaskan. Both are based on the .348 Win case.
 
Considered the pinnacle of lever action design

The oddball cartridge may have hampered popularity.
A friend's son got one handed gifted him by his grandfather.
Not an original but a more recent Miroku version. Still, an absolute sweet rifle.
 
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