Home Forums Reloading Big Game Rifles .348 Win

Well after letting a couple slip through my fingers over the last few years, I finally got my model 71. It's a Browning but I'm still happy.

I need to get set up to load ammo for it and it seems like everyone has brass in stock right now which is great, I know it comes in waves when Winchester makes a run. I was wondering what bullets you guys are using.

I was thinking of using the Barnes Original's in 250 grain for elk and maybe use the 220's or Hornandy 200's for plinking or deer. Are there many more options out there?

I don't cast my own but wish I did, I'm sure the rifle would shoot great with cast bullets. Does anyone know of a place selling quality cast bullets already made for the .348?

Also, what are some of your guys favorite loads and powders for the .348? I'm going to make an order to Natchez for some brass, bullets, dies and shellholder and finally get to shooting.

Thanks in advance,

mnimrod

Dan here at the Bullshop is a very knowledgable caster and I'm sure he'd help you out. Unfortunately, they're not taking orders again until October - I think they're behind.
http://bullshop.gunloads.com/tbs_riflebullets30.htm

However, if you have the itch, and it sounds like you do, you should start the addiction of casting your own. Here is THE free site for all things cast boolits. http://castboolits.gunloads.com Join up, hang on and enjoy the ride. I've found a LOT less BS at castboolits than I've found here, they're all friendly guys that are helpful to newbies.

http://www.beartoothbullets.com/bulletselect/index.htm

When I owned a Winchester M71 I bought this Beartooth cast bullet (they will custom size for you) - however you will need to lengthen the chamber throat in a Browning M71 to use the Beartooth. You would be best served to find the 200 grain Hornady bullet - cheap and accurate; I used 65.0 grains of Re19/CCI-200/W-W Brass for 2365 fps and 60.5 grains of IMR4350/CCI-200/W-W brass for 2400 fps in my two best loads. The Winchester Super-X factory load (200 grain Silvertip bullet) clocked 2445 average FPS.

Ps The Legacy of Leverguns, published January 2000 by Wolfe (and sometimes still available) had a good article on the Win M71 and had some cast bullet loads specifically for the Browning M71 (using moulds RCBS 348-200, NEI 250, & LBT-250). Shooting Times had an article on reloading the .348 WCF in the September 2006 issue. Handloader 214 might be your best source for info (DEC-JAN 2002) which had an article devoted to loading the .348 WCF (using a Browning M71) written by Steve Gash - in it he includes a very good bibliography of many articles on loading the .348 WCF in addition to a great deal of data using modern powders.

selmer,

Thanks, I was actally thinking of bullshop. I bought a whole mess of bullits from him a couple years ago for my Shilo 45-70 and they are of great quality, I know he's backed up and only takes orders part of the year. I've been saying it for years but I really need to start casting my own.

Odessa,

I actually have all three of those magazines at home. I've been digging around through my thousands of gun magazines that I just can't bring myself to get rid of looking for articles on the .348. You made it easier though by telling me the issues to look for. I have the leverguns magazine from 2000 as well, I know right were that one is.

Thanks to both of you for the help.

I use the 200 gr Hornady's on deer-sized game and 250 gr. Barnes on bear and larger. I'm taking mine to Namibia this year using the 250 gr Barnes.

Cast your own, cast your own, cast your own! Casting the your own bullets brings a whole different dimension of hunting satisfaction when you know the bullet you put through your target started in your hands as a used wheelweight.

I use 60 grs. of IMR4350 with the 200 gr. Hornady. It's probably the best generic bullet for your .348 when compared to the cost of the Barnes.

Also, I have an article on the Model 71 in the April 2010 issue of "Precision Shooting" magazine. You could probably talk Editor Dave out of a copy or click on the link and read it. It is featured on the website for that month. www.precisionshooting.com
Good luck with your 71.

I use 59 Grains of IMR 4350 with the 200 Gr. Hornady. I also cast my own with a few different Lyman molds. I don't remember the charges or powder but I believe it was Varget that I used in them. I used mine to get my first elk at 75 yards with my own cast bullets at about 1900 FPS. Bang Flop. Talk about rewarding!