Another Oddball Headed For The Safe, Range, and Field

[Missionary]

Good for you !!
A model 71 in 348 is a fine thawp-em all rifle that should be enjoyed and the barrel well polished with cast slugs.

 

[CZ93X62]

Thank you, Missionary. This will be a fun levergun. Perhaps because I was a child of the 1950s and raised on Western movies, I have a deep attraction for lever rifles and older revolvers--even those made long after the gunsmoke wafted off.

 

[Bret4207]

I can't recall at the momonet if it was a 348 or a 33 Winchester, but whichever it was it had that crescent steel butt plate and some old /CIL/Dominion brand factory loads. Despite the rifle weighing what it did, touching one off was a memorable experience for a 15/16 year old kid. Too much fun as they say!

 

[smokeywolf]

Don't think they made the Model 71 chambered in anything other than 348 and with a shotgun butt.

 

[Glaciers]

What Smokey said.
The 33 came out early in the Century and was chambered in the full rifle's, carbine, and light weight models. By 1936 when the 71 Started production people were pretty much done with crescent butt plates. It would have be a change out after the fact.

 

[fiver]

the 86 retained the crescent plate though.
you'd be hard pressed to tell them apart as a youngster, and even in a picture where all you get is mostly the receiver I wouldn't lay money down on which is which.

 

[CZ93X62]

This Browning has the shotgun butt usually seen on the actual Win 71s. It will remain un-messed-with, excepting possibly a period-correct aperture sight. No aftermarket D&T is contemplated for any reason. Just the thought of Picatinny rails or offset scope mounts gives me cold chills.

 

[CZ93X62]

OK--here is a the pic of the new war toy that just landed today. It came with a box of Winchester factory loads (200 grain Silvertips), and among my larger surprises today was learning that Winchester still loads this caliber--with 200 grain Power Point bullets.

 

[fiver]

silver boxes.
maybe even silver plated judging from the price.

 

[462]

Yep, she's a beauty!

 

[CZ93X62]

If ever a rifle caliber was made to be cast for, this one (and maybe the 9.3 x 62 Mauser) is that chambering.

 

[CZ93X62]

silver boxes.
maybe even silver plated judging from the price.

Even component BULLETS in .348" caliber have decadent pricing.

Tomorrow is tied up with prior commitments, it will be Friday at the earliest before I can do The Tale Of The Tape on throat/grooves/lands. Once those are known I can order a mould or 2 and an H&I die of proper size.

ETA--OK, I found a supplier that does list the Winchester Power Point loads in 348 Winchester--Natchez Shooter's Supply. Price is $66.99/box of 20. Hornady's FTX loads are a relative bargain at $52.50 for 20 rounds of their LeverRevolution offerings. Never mind, one mould gives a lifetime bullet supply.

 

[Spindrift]

Beautiful, nice find!

 

[smokeywolf]

She's beautiful Allen. Wait 'til you see how sweet she is to shoot. Much cheaper in lead than 45-70. I haven't had a chance to experiment with loads. Started with IMR 4895 and then life got in the way of further load work.

 

[Brad]

Now that is a rifle.

 

[fiver]

if it's any consolation that's only 3$ more than I paid 10 years ago.

 

[CZ93X62]

if it's any consolation that's only 3$ more than I paid 10 years ago.

I guess Winchester Ammo found the saturation point, and largely stayed there. It still seems ridiculous, though I know why pricing like this is set.

 

[oscarflytyer]

That is awesome, and I am jealous!

 

[david s]

If I remember correctly your out of California, do you have any desire to hunt with this rifle in CA?

 

[Cadillac Jeff]

OH MY that is a beauty !!