I was re-reading the Field & Stream article, "Return of the Lever", and it had some short reviews and pics of various leverguns, and one that caught my attention was the Winchester Model 71, the guy said it was smoother, and being a .348 Win, it had more power, but the rifle also looked pretty nice.
I bet they're expensive now, but I was just wondering if these are good rifles, I bet someone would have to handload for it now, since I doubt factory ammo would be easy to find.
I just thought the rifle was cool, and was wondering if it had anything more than just coolness.
I have 2 of them .. 1 is a deluxe (checking and swivels lymann sight) both are short tang. they changed the 71 in the late 30's to eary 40's (I think) from long tang to short with the long being more desirable. I bought mine when winchesters started going up in price about 2 yrs ago paying $1100 and $1350 since they have gone up quite a bit from there. I used the regular model last season taking 2 does, It is a pretty potent caliber for a lever gun.
It is a very smooth lever gun but heavy, they are a beefed up model 1886 win to handel the higher pressures of the 348 compared from the 33 win...
Location: S.W. Pa.-- Heart in North Central Pa. mountains-
Posts: 2,508
RE: Winchester Model 71
Where were only 47000 plus change of them made. They were made from 1935 to 1957. I have a 3-digit serial number gun that I paid $600 for MANY years ago. Long tang, standard grade to which I added the bolt peep. They are a fairly heavy gun, which was one of their drawbacks, but extremely well made. A LOT of these guns went to Canada and Alaska for bear work. Their prices have skyrocketed over the past few years. I still see ammo available for them, but a bit on the pricey side. You can usually find it at gunshows, and only costs a small wheelbarrow load of cash.
All in all, they are quite collectable, and are sought after by many. If you ever get a chance to pick one up at a reasonable price, I would recommend it.
Browning also made a repro of the 71 for a few years, not much on collector value but a nicely built hunting rifle, I have a carbine version that I bought for bear hunting.
RR
I had one and sold it like a fool. I made a good $ on it but wish I still had it. The 348 is a fairly potent round and the Win 71 was a very finely made rifle. From what I've heard it was dicontinued because it was too expensive to manufacture. They were a very slick lever action rifle.
__________________ PLEASE NOTE THAT DUE TO THE RISING COST IN AMMO PRICES I WILL NO LONGER BE FIRING A WARNING SHOT.
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Winchester Model 71
