I grew up with a 74 that my dad bought new c. 1940, which is extremely accurate. I once put a 24X Leupold on it and shot it on a 100 yard indoor range (yes, really!). Using a good lot of Eley Standard (their lowest grade practice match ammo), six consecutive 5-shot groups averaged 1.25". My Kim...

"One of the internet's most blown out of proportion problems. I've had 4 1894 Marlins and each has had some bug to work out. But not one of them has had this problem. " Hmmmmmm... lessee here... Out of 17 Winchester 94's, 92's and 71's I can think of right offhand, I haven't had any jams o...

Yes, he did. It was Hamilton Bowen, and he rechambered a new .38-40 cylinder to minimum .45LC specs, to get rid of the oversize chamber problem.

John

I think of the currently-available rifles that will be bargains in short order, one of the top candidates is a K-31 Swiss straight-pull bolt gun. These used to be $89 or $99, now they're up over $200 most places. It's my understanding that tthey are drying up now. They have a very unique application...

One thing I would say is, if you decide to go for a Colt, I'd look very hard at the ones they're making now, that have the removable cylinder insert like 1/2nd Generation guns. (3rd Gen was fixed in place, not readily replaceable, makes it harder to tune for wear, etc.) The current guns appear to be...

Thanks very much! I appreciate the help!
John

Savage99, any reports on how they performed on deer?
Thanks,
John

Hi, folks, I'm curious to ask those who've used either 158 gr. JSP (not HP) bullets or the Hornady 180 gr. XTP on deer from .357 Magnum rifles about your experiences and preferences. Cast bullets are interesting, but I'm really most interested in these jacketed bullets, as I'm about to place an orde...

Hi, folks,
Thanks much for the good info! I will check these out!


John

Hi, folks, Found a nice 6.5" .357 three-screw Ruger Blackhawk that retains its original mechanism. Once I get it off layaway, would like to have a very nice trigger job and tuneup. Is there anyone y'all have dealt with who is good with these things, and doesn't take half your life/life's saving...

We just had a homeowner killed here -- shot in the face/neck area (shotgun?) by a person attempting to break into his house. He was apparently attempting to stop the break-in and was shot right by his front door. BAD tactics. If he'd just taken up a good defensive position and called 911, he would a...

FWIW, I've found a $50 bill, a $20 bill, and numerous $1.00 bills for just this reason -- people keeping money wadded up in their pockets and losing track of it. I had to nag my wife for a while to get her to quit doing it and put her money in a wallet to keep from losing it. I'm sorry this is worri...

Hi, Paul, I've been an off-and-on adult airgun addict since the late 70's. Trust me, you will find that a really GOOD pellet can bring out performance in your air rifles that you just never suspected was possible! I find it hard to consider Gamo/Daisy as serious fodder, when such excellent pellets a...

This is a great service, speaking as one of the "technically challenged!"

Now, to pick out a decent photo!

Thanks,
John

Hi, folks,
Sorry to say that there were more buyers than gaschecks, at least in .45 and .30. All that remain now are the .338's.

Take care,
John

Were it me, and I thought I might want a 71 someday, I'd stock up on gaschecks now. They will be very helpful to getting the full power out of a 71 if you want to cast for them, and jacketed bullets for them are not cheap... you can do a lot of practice and even hunting with a good .348 cast bullet ...

Hi, folks, I am clearing out some goodies I don't need, and thought I'd offer these here first. Needless to say, one can put a bunch in one flat-rate USPS priority mailer, and get the shipping cost per 1000 down pretty low! All are in unopened factory boxes, in excellent condition. All prices plus p...

Hi, Kirk,
Very nice!! Thanks for posting -- I always love seeing your old Winchesters!

Out of curiosity, what kind of delivery time is Veral Smith quoting
these days? Did you send him a chamber cast?

Thanks much,
John

You might give Doug Turnbull a call. They take Browning 71 stocks (made by Miroku) off of rifles they are customizing and may well have one in good shape they could sell.

Hope this helps,
John

Just be careful not to over-tighten the locking screw in the center of the knob on the left side of the sight. If you over-do it (significantly) it can cause noticeable headaches until you get it straightened out... Don't ask me how I know this... Just snug is good, not even approaching "gorill...

"Wow! 6" @ 100 yds is a serious performance increase..." Actually, I suspect that barrel vibrations and the barrel position as the bullet exits the muzzle account for most of that difference. For example, if you take a Sierra 150 gr. BTSP, the drop from the muzzle to 100 yards is -5.7...

We had some reports from users on the old board a while back. From what I recall, they were pleased with the accuracy and it was apparently very effective/destructive on game.

Hopefully some of the folks who have used them can elaborate.

John

Excellent information -- thanks very much for sharing it!!

Out of curiosity, do you have any data on 170 gr. Sierra FN's or 130 gr.
Speer FN's in .30-30 on deer?

Thanks,
John

That is really COOL!! How did you clean the wheelweights?
John

Thanks very much!! I appreciate the help!
John

Hi, folks, Am having problems getting onto GB's website. When I attempt to search, it tells me to log on, and then when I do, it says there is a "network error," and to check network documentation... Not being exactly "computer savvy," I'm dead in the water. Is it GB's problem, o...

71 Fan, Thanks very much for the thoughts, ideas and photos!! I like your treatment of the recoil pad that allows restoring the original buttplate, and if I were doing this to an original Winchester, that would probably be the route I would take, and just put up with the extra length of pull. Howeve...

Thanks much for the good ideas! I can't see buying new wood for it -- it's not THAT valuable, and having it properly inletted would cost a significant chunk of the rifle's value. (I'm a freak for having good, close-fitting inletting on my rifles... can't help it...) It's very much beginning to sound...

Thanks for the thoughts, folks! Mike, the previous owner of the Winchester is presently swapping hunting stories with Jeff Cooper and having a blast in the fields that stretch on forever, or so I hope. He kept the rifle immaculately clean, and took good care of it while using it enough that it got t...

All I can say, is, WOW!!! Those are amazing photos!!

Thanks for sharing!
John

Cool post and pic -- thanks very much for sharing!! What's the story on the rifle used on the buffalo? It looks great! Also, what was the bull's reaction when hit -- did it remain operational for very long?

Thanks,
John

Hi, folks, I'm in a bit of a quandary and would be curious to get your thoughts. I have a Win. 71 standard rifle that shoots reasonably well, and has most of its original blue, excellent wood and a minty Lyman 56 rear sight. The original owner installed a factory 71 Deluxe forend cap and rear sling ...