Model 71..... I just can't decide!!!!

S

Slugo

CGN Regular
Rating - 100%
256   0   2
Location
Brant County, ON
This fall I'll be going on my two usual rifle hunts in northern Ontario, one week for deer and another 10 days for moose. There is a good chance I'll get an opportunity to connect with both. We typically hunt moose by canoe and deer would be in the bush. There are opportunities for long shots moose hunting although I've never made one beyond 150yds. Deer are in the bush, I've never shot one beyond 100yds on that hunt.

I really want to hunt with my Winchester model 71 for both this fall although I'm concerned I may miss an opportunity due to a long range shot or suffer from not having a scope at dawn or dusk. I love the old lever guns, I'm just concerned it's going to cost me an opportunity. I've never shot an animal with the 71.

Help me decide!!!!!
 
Slugo said:
This fall I'll be going on my two usual rifle hunts in northern Ontario, one week for deer and another 10 days for moose. There is a good chance I'll get an opportunity to connect with both. We typically hunt moose by canoe and deer would be in the bush. There are opportunities for long shots moose hunting although I've never made one beyond 150yds. Deer are in the bush, I've never shot one beyond 100yds on that hunt.

I really want to hunt with my Winchester model 71 for both this fall although I'm concerned I may miss an opportunity due to a long range shot or suffer from not having a scope at dawn or dusk. I love the old lever guns, I'm just concerned it's going to cost me an opportunity. I've never shot an animal with the 71.

Help me decide!!!!!
Click to expand...

And you never will, unless you take it hunting. Go for it!!
 
No brainer for me...I only own one rifle larger than a 22-250, lol.

Model 71.....your only limitation compared with mine is mine has a side mounted fixed 4X scope. Thats the way my Grandfather hunted with it all his life. He sent it to me about 12 years before he passed away. I took this deer with it Nov 2009 at DeerDr's place. 1 shot with 200 grain factory silvertips @ 338 yards.



 
Johnn Peterson said:
X2.
...
348WCFElkoutfit1.jpg
[/URL]
Click to expand...

And get yourself some hobnail boots to go with it.
 
I'm starting to think this is a great idea. I'll hunt the whole rifle season with the 71. I have some 200gr silvertips I'll load for deer and some 250gr Barnes originals for moose. I've never reloaded 348. Does anyone have any good recipes or words of wisdom?
 
I've hunted with nothing but old lever guns for over 20 years (except for one year with a shotgun in southern Ontario). For low light conditions, dab a bit of white paint on the tip of your front sight. I use that 'White Out' that they used to put on paper when one made a typing mistake. It easily scrapes off with your fingernail after hunting season. Second suggestion, practice shooting at 200 yards and 100 yards and memorize the ballistic curve for your bullet at your muzzle velocity in case you need to take a shot at 250 or 300 yards. As for me this year, I'll be using a Browning Model 1886 Saddle Ring Carbine lever gun chambered in 45-70 on my Moose hunt and deer hunt.
 
BigUglyMan said:
They don't kill much from inside the safe.
Click to expand...

True enough. Spring Black Bear had been on the agenda for this year but that got cancelled as my lovely lady isn't fond of Bear as table fare. So, updated plan, Island Deer with 200gr Hornady handloads, and/or Moose, providing I get a draw, using handloads with 250gr Barnes originals.
Best I can do for you BUM.
 
.348W - nice round and no doubt what motivated the development of the .350 Rem Mag.... all that and a little more!
 
I think my .348 is good to 250 yards with the peep sight I have on it, after that my bespectacled eyes need magnification. That is in good light. Longer distances, or dawn/dusk, and I really say take something with a scope. The other poster "the Spank" has a scoped 71, so he has best of both worlds, but I cannot bear the thought to drill and tap mine.

Cheers,
 
Slugo said:
I'm starting to think this is a great idea. I'll hunt the whole rifle season with the 71. I have some 200gr silvertips I'll load for deer and some 250gr Barnes originals for moose. I've never reloaded 348. Does anyone have any good recipes or words of wisdom?
Click to expand...

I'd suggest you stick to the 200 grain Silvertips, load them warmly, and they'll do the job just fine on deer and moose. Two reasons, one being that whenever possible you want to shoot one cartridge for everything so you know the ballistics exactly...you know where it's going to hit. Two is that the lighter bullet should shoot flatter and with a lever action you want to do everything you can to get less of a rainbow, in case you run into a longer type shot. Slugo, if some young'uns out here in BC are taking down moose at 150 yards or less with a 100 grain .243 bullet, I'm sure a 200 grain Silvertip will get the job done and then some.
 
. I've never reloaded 348. Does anyone have any good recipes or words of wisdom?[/QUOTE]

Check out my thread on primer strikes when I started loading for my Browning 71.....If I was smarter i'd link it for you....but me not so smart
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom