Model 71

patricksbb391 said:
Great firearm, great cartridge. A rimmed .358 Winchester, plus a bit more. Brass is kicking around a plenty, but bullet choice is somewhat limited given the unique bore diameter. If you pass up the deal, I'll take it.
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True enough, but it's like my 7x61 S&H. Goodies for both are a primary 'search for' item at gun shows. In addition, it's kinda' a get when you see it thing. I've just returned from a 'trade mission' with the guy that casts bullets for me, where I've picked up some 230grGC and 262grGC cast bullets.

Brass & jacketed bullets, on my last 'shopping' trip @ P&d in Edmonton, as it was available, I bought 2 bags of 50 Winchester unprimed brass and 300 Hornady 200gr.FP bullets. After I returned home, I made an inquiry and they had one more bag of brass, 200 Barnes 220gr Original bullets and a 250gr variety (100 of) of the same. My daughter picked them up for me. Then, the local guy I get my cast bullets from sold me 1 more bag of 50. The icing on the cake, at the last gun show in Duncan, 5 more boxes(20) of new Winchester unprimed & 1 box of Remington once fired, all now in my "brass vault". I'm rich!!:D
 
Noel said:
Ike, I got to shoot one last spring and it was sweet! I have some brass if you need a few. I reform them for the 41 Swiss. I can steer you toward some more if any are left too.
Ballistics are typical lever gun from that era. It would take care of that Black bear this spring if you can find him.
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Good post Noel as it saves me having to beg later on.

I was thinking about that bear this morning. We might have to sneak up there late April and go look for your rug.
 
senior said:
Just happen to have one of those.
You could almost say there were 4 models.
As very early ones both rifle & carbine were Long Tangs.
Ballistics don't look that impressive but it does it's job.
Kicks on both ends with 250gns.

This is a minty 2nd year production Long Tang Deluxe, I wish I had better pics.

HPIM0262.JPG
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Beauty!! I would say mine is about 98%, but it is definately part of my 'to use' group. I tried collecting but it's not for me. If, for some reason, I decide not to use anyone of what I have, it's gone. I would like to come across a set of original detachable sling swivels and/or the original sling as I'll probably have to pack it on my shoulder once in a while.
I've mentioned it before but I did have another previously, a plain jane model that I foolishly got rid of. One day, I would like to get a carbine. One day.........................;)
 
senior said:
Just happen to have one of those.
You could almost say there were 4 models.
As very early ones both rifle & carbine were Long Tangs.
Ballistics don't look that impressive but it does it's job.
Kicks on both ends with 250gns.

This is a minty 2nd year production Long Tang Deluxe, I wish I had better pics.

HPIM0262.JPG
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Send her over and I'll take some pics for you.
I'll return it some day.... Honest. :D
 
To answer lazyike's questions:

a) Worth? Depending on condition - $1000 and up. If you're more into shooting the 71, Browning's version is decent - pricewise $1000 and up would be reasonable.

b) .348 brass availability - pretty good. Shop around for deals.

c) ballistics - depending on what bullet weight and the shooter's skill - 250 - 300 yards is not unreasonable.

d) One of mine shoots on average around 2.0 inches at 100 yards which is adequate for my hunting needs. This is with the Lyman type 56 peep sight.

e) Bullets - Hornady makes an adequate 200 grain jacketed bullet. Barnes has the Originals in 220 and 250 grain for the hunter who desires a heavier bullet. One can still pick up Barnes discontinued X-bullet offerings in 200 and 220 grain. There are other offerings, but these tend to be a bit difficult to obtain unless one has the patience to wait for them to come from the US.

f) Cast bullets - has already been touched on - moulds available from NEI, RCBS, etc. .348 gas checks are available for those who want to use gas checked bullets.

g) Dies - RCBS, Lee, and others are available.

I'd suggest getting one and using it - great gun, great cartridge.
 
I have a Browning 71 carbine unfired new in the box, going to post it for sale soon. P.M.'s welcome if anyone might be interested.
 
Thanks John. What's the verdit on the Brownings? I don't know that I've ever seen one and the Mod 71 I shot ages ago, has set the bar pretty high.
 
I have a Browning 71 carbine that shoots better than my eyes are capable of. Nice round groups of 1.0"-1.5" are common.
My Winchester shoots around 2".

My Browning 71 is nicer than my Win 71...In every way except resale value.

IMHO a guy looking for a shooter is far better off with a Browning 71.....I could be talked out of my Browning for a fair price.

In time the 71 will be passed to my son.
 
dan belisle said:
Think of the Browning as a metric 71, with usually a nicer finish. It will never have the value of the Winchesters, but they are very nice firearms. I've seen a few over the years modified into various wildcats, more so then ones in the original caliber. - dan
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A former workmate of mine has the Browning and I've started wheeling & dealing ;)to see if it can be obtained. I agree with the choice of the Browning as the one to modify to 'Wildcat' status. If I do get it, that's the plan, a wildcat. Do you have any info on what the wildcat choices are by any chance??
 
mod 71 348 rechambered to imp

Hi I just picked up a 348 browing deluxe on here,dropped it off on fri to be rechambered to imp version.Already has a peep site going to have a fiber optic put on front.should be a sweet rig.robin
 
dan belisle said:
348 Ackley, 450 Alaskan, 450 Ackley Alaskan, 50 Alaskan. Those are the ones I've seen. - dan
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There is also the 35-348 and the 375-348 as well.

If your not looking to collect, the brownings are generally better made and more accurate. I picked up a B-71 carbine off Doug here and I couldn't be happier.
 
Get a copy of "Big Bores" by Wolfe Publishing and you'll find lots of wildcats for the '71. The one that went from .348 to .450 tto .500, and then to .348 improved/.416 is in my hands, along with a few other '71's and Brownings. They're a great rifle for serious bush work. The Browning is every bit as good and maybe a slight improvement, ....also better for wildcatting.
 
The 450 Alaskan is the smart build.
.510 bullets are too hard to get in Canada.
 
I have a Deluxe 71 made in 1954.It has a Pachmayer recoil pad.I got it 20 yrs ago and was told the pad may be original.I have asked if this could be original a few times before and most say no but a few say yes. Anyone know?
 
GAIRLOCHIAN said:
I have a Deluxe 71 made in 1954.It has a Pachmayer recoil pad.I got it 20 yrs ago and was told the pad may be original.I have asked if this could be original a few times before and most say no but a few say yes. Anyone know?
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A serial number check indicates my 71 Deluxe was made in 1953. Mine has a recoil pad as well, marked Winchester but it well could've been made by a contractor for Winchester. I addition, there reference made on checkered steel butt plates. What you said concerning Pachmayr rang a bell so I checked through some of the hard copy info I've found and printed out. From "The Winchester Book", chapter 12, 'The Model 71', Pg. 353 with a photo it states
"This is the shorter version of the model 71 with a twenty inch barrel. A rubber pad was fitted by the factory. Four shot magazines such as on this rifle are standard. Open rear sights, number 22K, were usually furnished, as were ramp front sights. Pachmayr made recoil pads for Winchester, and some of their pads will be found on the model 71".

Some of the info I have came from the following sources, if your interested;
- The Winchester Book
- The model 71 Winchester & the .348 cartridge, from the www.leverguns.com site.
- Classic Rifles, Winchester Model 71 by Ken Waters, from the Sept.-Oct. 1976 issue of Rifle Magazine.
- The Model 71 Winchester by Dave Scovill, from the Sept.-Oct. 2007 issue of The Rifleman Magazine, www.riflemagazine.com .
- The Winchester Model 71, again by Dave Scovill, 2000 for The Legacy of Lever*guns

I hope this helps and undoubtedly, there's a lot more out there, but, this will get you started. Whew, now it's 'Miller Time';).
 
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