Winchester 71, 348Winchester lovers?

[big bear]

Where are thee?
No posts for a couple of years on the best lever/cartridge combo for big woods country.
What a pity, guess I done got old.

[Bridger]

Count me as a lover of Mod 71’s! I’ve got 2….a Browning Carbine and an original 1949 Winchester.

[TedH]

I've got a Browning 71 that is due for some attention. Thanks for the reminder!

[OldWin]

I live in fairly big woods country. I have a 71. Ive shot a moose with it.
However, I wouldn't call it my favorite. Too big and heavy for 90% of my use. No fun moving around in big woods with that crow bar.

Sorry.

[FLINT]

I love the 71, or would like to love one. I've wanted one big time for about a decade, but they have always been out of my price range. As my budget grows, so do their prices

One day I hope to own one. We'll see. Maybe OldWin will want to sell me his one day

[Sixgun]

Have had about 6 over the years…buying and selling……have two now, a three digit deluxe like new from 1936 and a standard from 1941 which was my silhouette rifle for many years…..have about 3500 rounds out of it most all with gas checked cast at 1600….brass lasts forever if you size them properly.

The 71 is a heavy gun and I’ll take an extra lightweight 1886 any day …for hunting than I would a 71.

The gun and cartridge are top of the line for hunting, if you don’t mind the weight and worry from beating it up….but a not-so-good choice for a play gun, a gun where you shoot thousands of different kinds of rounds out of……it’s hard on brass and that’s expensive, if you can find it.

But one thing for sure…..any model 71 will outscore any 401K plan….

[JimT]

I never minded hunting with mine. I hunted the mountains all around our place. Of course I let the horse carry it and me.

[BenT]

Real men carried these hunting because the weight becomes obvious after a short while. I've killed deer with mine but I find the 1895's lighter and better balanced for carrying. So I am going to work up a cast bullet load per Jacks suggestions and use it to shoot steel plates out the back field. I have 3 1895's that I haven't killed any deer with yet. So those are my focus now. I like it and will not part with mine but it will be regulated to target shooting for a while.

[RIDERED350r]

I'm a big fan of the 71. I don't have one but it's very high on my "will have" list.

But I do have an 1886, a Takedown with a full octogon 26" barrel.

The comment above about the 71 being heavier than the 1886 puzzles me a bit. I always thought that the 71 was really just an 1886 essentially. Would like to know more

[cj57]

I have late 40s deluxe, I hunt with it some times, but I prefer the slimmer LW 86 in 45-70 or 33WCF

[OldWin]

I too, would much prefer an Extra Lightweight 86. For one, I don't like pistol grip stocks. I dont use any of my model 64s either. More than the weight of the 71, is the length. The woods are just too thick here. I have an 1886, but it's an early octagon rifle in 45-90. That's even worse than the 71.
As the production numbers reflect, I find I mostly use 92 and 94 carbines. Boring......but very effective in my terrain for 90% of normal use. I really like the 73 also. But use it much less than the 92 and 94.
All this is for actual field use in the woods on foot. I find the shooting range a poor measure of what makes a good all around field rifle. At least in my part of the world.

[Sixgun]

I usually get paid to spend so much time for scientific research......I'm in a bit of a hurry, board meeting at Rossi headquarters in the a.m....they are picking me up in a '64 Volkswagen..

First pic is from left to right ..Model 1886 extra lightweight in 45-70

Next is Model 71 pre war deluxe

On the right is a 1886 in 40-65 built in 1893.....forget the 1895 on the right...it just happened to be there.

[Sixgun]

I have a big day tomorrow. We are presenting President Biden a keepsake for the future Biden Library.

[JimT]

BAD NEWS Sixgun!
The Biden Library burned down. Both coloring books were a total loss.

[Sixgun]

BAD NEWS Sixgun!
The Biden Library burned down. Both coloring books were a total loss.

You always speak the truth!

Did you see that degenerate today talking.?……..”well, we were on Air Force One and I picked an apple off the wing and from there I changed the oil on a clock.”

[RIDERED350r]

Wow Sixgun! That '86 Extra Light really lives up to its name! That's less than 1lb heavier than your average 94 Carbine really. I had no idea they were really that light, kinda always took it as somewhat overenthusiastic advertising. Thanks for sharing Sir

[Rimfire McNutjob]

Count me in on the '71 fan club. Not much need given the size of the deer down here in central FL. I'm too fat and old to be jacking myself up into a tree these days anyway. Jacked my stand up a good size palm tree once, which is how I learned about their very shallow root system. Stuck to the pines from then on.

[Woodsloafer2]

Big fan here. Had two but just sold one. Felt like I was cheating on my Dad's 348 when I used it. Grew admiring my Dad's and I shoot it offhand as well or better than all my other rifles. He passed in 1999 but I think he is still helping me steady it.

[Bearskinner]

I have one second year (4 digit serial number) deluxe, in .348, and a newer Browning 71 converted to 50-110 and shortened to 16.5” very handy.

DA2848F8-54E7-49BF-8378-4E7FCAEB7193.png

[Bridger]

Here’s a pic of my original from one of the times I took it hunting this past season. Also a pic of it leaned in the corner with my JC Higgins Model 66 shotgun from the early 60’s.

[Sixgun]

Wow Sixgun! That '86 Extra Light really lives up to its name! That's less than 1lb heavier than your average 94 Carbine really. I had no idea they were really that light, kinda always took it as somewhat overenthusiastic advertising. Thanks for sharing Sir

Thank you bud! I’ve got a few of them with two being in 45-90 caliber…….the extra lightweight in the 45-70 or 45-90 is a whole different smoke compared to Winchesters regular heavy weight rifles in those calibers…….back in the day when hunters complained about the weight of the standard 1886, Winchester went overboard with their extra lightweight or the lightweight……..I’ve shot thousands of rounds out of more than a couple of them and they beat you up bad……well, some guys handle it better than others…….with a 400gr. bullet traveling 1800 will jump out of your hands…literally…..no fun off the bench.

But…they were not meant nor designed for future collectors/shooters.

A very rare nickel steel takedown extra lightweight in 45-90.

[RIDERED350r]

She's a beauty Sixgun .

My 1886 is a modern Miroku built piece. One of the full size Takedowns made in 1999. I had Turnbull work it over and turned it into the rifle I've dreamed of owning for years. It was a 45-70 originally but it's now a 45-90. I play it safe with my smokeless loads, getting 2350fps with a 300gr. And even as heavy as it is, it induces and audible reaction after about ten rounds from the bench .

[Rimfire McNutjob]

A NS 45-90 EL TD. Jesus ... the best of the 86's. Of course he has one ... they probably made all of 6 of them. I wonder if that's in a book somewhere ... the total made in that configuration.

[cj57]

Wow! That ELW 45-90 is nice! I have a rare one also A 20" 33WCF, a light package, that packs a thump!

[Sixgun]

A NS 45-90 EL TD. Jesus ... the best of the 86's. Of course he has one ... they probably made all of 6 of them. I wonder if that's in a book somewhere ... the total made in that configuration.

Yea…
Thanks nutjob…………guess what? I got two of them.
The proof…..out of the Madi’s handbook.


The other 45-90 EL TD but this one had a climbing Lyman and a full mag. I been trying to tell you guys about that giant funnel in the sky that right over my house.

[Drawdown]

Beautiful rifles Six, and interesting!

[Sixgun]

Beautiful rifles Six, and interesting!

Thank you!……they didn’t get her overnight….took me 50 years to get her this stuff up.

[win40-82]

Saw a very clean one at the last gun show I went to in Brule NE. Made in 1949, I would rate it it about 9+. It was priced at $1850 but could have been had for less. He also had a good box of cartridges that were 250 grains. I'm not up on current prices but think it was a very fair price. Will look at again at next show in KS if he still has it.

[RIDERED350r]

A 9 out of 10 model 71 for <$2000 is a bargain. Unless of course it was refinished, then some would argue overpriced.

[cj57]

A 9 out of 10 model 71 for <$2000 is a bargain. Unless of course it was refinished, then some would argue overpriced.

Or Extra holes on side for scope mount!

[RIDERED350r]

A 9 out of 10 model 71 for <$2000 is a bargain. Unless of course it was refinished, then some would argue overpriced.

Or Extra holes on side for scope mount!

That's factual

[Sixgun]

As 71’s disappear from the scene, the pickings are getting slim. I saw this trend in the 70’s when it came to 1886’s and 1873’s. 1894’s were all over the place and people would beat you down if there was a chip on the buttstock of a rifle made in first year production.

This all means that if you get a good buy on a lightly altered ‘71….lightly, mind you……..get it.—-006

[big bear]

My favorite 71.I bought it cheap because it had a broken buttstock. It had been a scabbard rifle for many years of a Peace River country rancher.It had been repaired with bright yellow fibreglass and glue. I replaced the butt stock, added a Redfield receiver sight. I found an old King mirror front sight to complete the rifle.I have taken a couple of black bears with it. It is the rifle I keep at hand at my cabin in the mountains. There are grizzlies in my area and I find 4 rds of Barnes 250 gr bullets comforting. The black bear below fell with 1 shot of a 200g BarnesX bullet load.I don't find it particularly heavy when slung and very handy when I bushwhack through blowdowns and rough logged country. Withy my regular load H4831sc/Hornady 200gr Sp at 2400fps I can get under 2" groups at 100 yds with 3 of five shots frequently less than 1". Finally worked up a cast bullet load with a 255gr GC cat bullet that gives me 2-3" groups at 100yds at 2100fps. I have much prettier 71s (Deluxe Winchester and a set of High Grade Browning 71 rifle/carbine), but this is the one I shoot , a lot.

[RIDERED350r]

As 71’s disappear from the scene, the pickings are getting slim. I saw this trend in the 70’s when it came to 1886’s and 1873’s. 1894’s were all over the place and people would beat you down if there was a chip on the buttstock of a rifle made in first year production.

This all means that if you get a good buy on a lightly altered ‘71….lightly, mind you……..get it.—-006

I definitely feel as though I'm up against some sort of clock as I'm working toward owning the rifles on my "must have" list.

[OldWin]

My favorite 71.I bought it cheap because it had a broken buttstock. It had been a scabbard rifle for many years of a Peace River country rancher.It had been repaired with bright yellow fibreglass and glue. I replaced the butt stock, added a Redfield receiver sight. I found an old King mirror front sight to complete the rifle.I have taken a couple of black bears with it. It is the rifle I keep at hand at my cabin in the mountains. There are grizzlies in my area and I find 4 rds of Barnes 250 gr bullets comforting. The black bear below fell with 1 shot of a 200g BarnesX bullet load.I don't find it particularly heavy when slung and very handy when I bushwhack through blowdowns and rough logged country. Withy my regular load H4831sc/Hornady 200gr Sp at 2400fps I can get under 2" groups at 100 yds with 3 of five shots frequently less than 1". Finally worked up a cast bullet load with a 255gr GC cat bullet that gives me 2-3" groups at 100yds at 2100fps. I have much prettier 71s (Deluxe Winchester and a set of High Grade Browning 71 rifle/carbine), but this is the one I shoot , a lot.

Mine looks very similar to yours, but has a 56 Lyman.
While I haven't seen a lot of the West, Ive seen a little. "Thick woods", ain't like here in Maine.
While we certainly have 71 worthy critters, I still much prefer a 94 carbine. I'm deer hunting or just woods loafing on most excursions. And many times, a rifle isn't all I'm carrying. While we have many places the bigger rifles can be utilized, my property and stomping grounds isnt one of them. The 71s and 86s are beautiful rifles, with tons of romance, style, and panache, but practicality usually wins out for me.

[Sixgun]

Wow Jay……that’s mighty thick woods up your way…..now I see why you guys like tree stands…..

Your 71 looks nice…..see you have it all polished up with an oily sheen on the stock….

[OldWin]

Yup. A 92 or 94 Trapper looks pretty good when you gotta climb through that mess.

Haha yeah. Well, it sure ain't polished from use!

[Rimfire McNutjob]

How has this thread not ended in a Long Tang versus Short Tang argument? Mine are short tangs but I do appreciate the long tang look ... like a long Caddy or Lincoln.

[Sixgun]

How has this thread not ended in a Long Tang versus Short Tang argument? Mine are short tangs but I do appreciate the long tang look ... like a long Caddy or Lincoln.

Good point Nutjob…….I never had the buttstock off of my long tang so I don’t know what kind of mainspring it used…..I do know the short tang used a coil spring and maybe that’s why Winchester dropped the long tang…….never fooled or learned much on the 71…just shot em. Only thing I ever did was a trigger job on the later 71 for competition use……

[JFE]

I’ve got 2 Browning 71’s. One is a carbine in 348W and the other was a rifle that I had converted to 45/90. I used a takeoff barrel from a Winoku 1886 lightweight in 45/70 and I had the magazine retention setup modified - it’s works perfectly fine for the 348, but is a known weak area if using heavy loads in a 45/90 or 450 Alaskan. I also had the buttstock modified as the point of the comb on short tang models is too far forward, IMO. The comb on the short tang used to put my thumb too close to my nose and was not comfortable at all. The modified comb is more like the one found on the original long tang 71, which to my mind feels a lot more comfortable.

Years ago I took the 45/90 with me to the Northern Territory to hunt buffalo. I used my own cast bullets and it worked out well. One feature not often mentioned when hunting game that can bite or gore you is the fact that you can have a shell in the chamber and be ready to fire as you keep loading the mag. You can’t do that with a bolt action or double rifle.

[JOG]

Gentleman, you have some fine hardware. Southern Maine woods is pretty thick! Although I think Jay has me beat.
This year deer hunting I took my little Marlin 1894 in 44 mag.
Compared to my 1886 it's as light as a pee shooter!
The furthest shot around here would probably be 45 yards!
Unless I'm hunting power lines. Then perhaps 200 yards.
Johnny

[Rimfire McNutjob]

The furthest shot around here would probably be 45 yards!

Same down here. Almost everything would be inside of 50 yards unless you're at a spot where power lines have been cut through and you can spot a deer crossing between. Lots of hogs to shoot though.

[snkbittin]

I love the 71, or would like to love one. I've wanted one big time for about a decade, but they have always been out of my price range. As my budget grows, so do their prices

One day I hope to own one. We'll see. Maybe OldWin will want to sell me his one day

Message me..I have 3 and one can go for a nice price

[Eddie Southgate]

m71.jpg

Mine is a long tang 1936 standard with the bolt peep . Love it to death , only took me 55 years to get it . Eventually want to trade my way into another one to build a .450 Alaskan . Wouldn't mind an '86 TD in .33 Winchester to go with them with the shotgun butt.

[Rimfire McNutjob]

m71.jpg

Mine is a long tang 1936 standard with the bolt peep . Love it to death , only took me 55 years to get it . Eventually want to trade my way into another one to build a .450 Alaskan . Wouldn't mind an '86 TD in .33 Winchester to go with them with the shotgun butt.

I had Turnbull take one of my standards (from the 50's) and convert it to a takedown, then add a 20" 450 Alaskan barrel. Worked out well. QualCart sells 450 marked brass though you can always just blow out 348.

[Bronco]

Turnbull work in 50-110. Retirement gift to myself.

http://prntscr.com/JHecYe1Iwjqi

[Rimfire McNutjob]

Turnbull work in 50-110. Retirement gift to myself.

http://prntscr.com/JHecYe1Iwjqi

Is that a 28" barrel on that Marlin? Or did you go with an unusually short forearm?

[Bronco]

Dummy me wrong rifle ooops! Marlin 24" barrel. 44 mag. Sorry for the mistake in putting it in a M71 thread.