Home Forums Lever Action Central Big Bore Levers New to me model 71

I just picked up a good user 71. I've been looking at bullets and there appears to be no shortage of Hornady 200 grain bullets. I did find one box of 250 grain Woodleighs and 2 boxes of 220 grain Barnes originals. I'd love to find some 250 grain Sivertips to reload but am not holding out any hope for that.

What has been the experience you gentleman have had with the Barnes 220 grain. In all the bullets I've tried over the last 40 years, I've never used a Barnes Original.

can't help with your questions but congrats on a nice rifle.

All I've ever loaded up were Hornady 200 grs.

I have used them in my Browning M71 and they shot fine. I never used one on game. Alaska Bullet Works makes a 250 gr FNSP.

http://www.custombrassandbullets.com/abw021.html

A pretty write on the round.

http://www.leverguns.com/articles/taylor/model71.htm

Try this

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_OaJcGjEBfo&t=10s

the 200 Hornady FP is a good bullet..niot much to be gained by the 220 Barnes original which open up well but often core separate.

The 200 Swift A-Frame and 250 Woodleigh can be counted on to stay together. I have stuck with the 200 Hornady's because they work well out to 250 yards and are wonderfully accurate in my old Win. Pretty good all around load up to moose but for Bison I go Woodleigh.

Great information. I've watched several of your videos before. Good work. I've not been able to find any Swift 348 bullets. Swift doesn't appear to offer the A Frame .348 bullet any longer.

I have 5-6 boxes of factory silver tips that I acquired when I bought my Browning Mod. 71, those things are like gold now, shooting reloads-saving those guys for sure.

Good purchase. The Model 71 is an excellent rifle for the North country. I carry either a pre-war 71 or a later one in 348 Ackley or 450 Fuller. Fuller made the reamers for Harold Johnson's 450 Alaskan.(Yes-have more than two 71s)
Hawk-Woodleigh-or Alaska Bullet works-Juneau are the best hunting bullets. They hang together on tough game like bear
or elk.

I have homestead land North of Denali-SW of Nenana. A deer or moose hunt can quickly turn into a bear hunt in Alaska.

The original M-71 has a smooth action, very close to the original 1886. Winchester made the 71 as its last really heavy lever action. It is very fast for repeat shots,
faster than any bolt gun. Elmer Keith rightly said that dangerous game becomes dangerous at closer range.
"Like irritated grizzlies...." LtCol RM