348 WCF cast bullet loads

[elmo123]

I recently purchased a Model 71 and have also bought a RCBS 200FN mould. Has anyone loaded this bullet and if so what powder did you have good results with?

Thanks,

Mike

[Yodar]

Hi Elmo123,

Yes, I have experimented with the RCBS #516 in my Winchester Model 71. It took a lot of trial and error, mostly error, to find a load that the Model 71 found acceptable. This is the only load that shot half way decently: Winchester cases and large rifle primers, 30 grains of IMR-3031, 200 grain RCBS#516 cast bullet (no gas check), OAL=2.79". Average muzzle velocity was 1595 fps. Five shot groups at 50 yards ran betwween 2 and 3 inches. Not the greatest but you should have seen some of the other groups (more correctly termed patterns).

A cast lead, gas check bullet that has worked pretty well in the .348 is the Lyman #350482 in front of 24 1/2 grains of IMR-4198. It has proven to be much more consistant than the RCBS bullet at around the same muzzle velocity.

Good luck and load safely.

[elmo123]

Thanks for the information. I just loaded up 25 rounds with IMR4198. I am going to the range Sunday. What will shoot cloverleafs at 50 yards is the old 150 grain Silvertips, too bad they quit making them in 1962. They are right at 2700 fps.

[Leverluver]

Out of my Browning 71 the RCBS slug did better than any but, then again, it is one of very few that will even chamber in the Browning. Don't remember the load but it was 4198 at ~ 1800fps, minute of rock chuck at 200 yds. Have to agree that the 350482 did the best in my original 71

[6pt-sika]

One of my friends just won a 71 DeLuxe on Gunbroker !

I'm intrested to shoot it once he gets it and loads some ammo for it !

I'd like to see him shoot cast also but I'm pretty sure this is gonna be a jacketed only undertaking !

[Sixgun]

Hey! Thanks for the reminder on the 150 gr. bullets. I knew I had a mess of 'em somewhere. These came in the little square boxes, marked ".348 Winchester 150 gr". that held 25 each and I dumped 8 of those little boxes in a little cardboard box and since put them in this plastic box. Must have been 20-30 years ago. I do remember they shot better than the 200 grain bullets.---------Sixgun

[elmo123]

You should send them to me so I can check them for defects.

Mike