Home Forums Lever Action Central Big Bore Levers I think I will pass on this. Win.71

A close friend passes away and his widow is disposing of his hardware. He picked up a shooter Mod. 71 .348 rifle. This was a put together parts gun so it has no collector value. Problem is I am 53 and really don't think this rifle will allow me to do anything my Marlin 1895 45-70 won't do. Realistically with the 71s peep sight against the Marlin the range I can utilize is the same. Maybe 10 years ago I would grab the Winchester. Also there is really no sentimental attachment, my buddy never really cared for it.

What's the price ?

About 600.00. Not about price, just don't think it will shoot for me with irons any better than my Marlin.

Is it for sale ? If so how to contact seller ?

Thanks.

If you have never fired a 71 you owe it to yourself to try it. IMO the stock design trumps any lever gun stock ever made. It is the softest shooting lever gun out there, even with the steel butt plate. On the bench, off the bench it is like butter.

Sorry to hear of your friends passing.

I agree, BTW my name is 348Winchester. lol At $600 I would buy every 71 I could find.

Sorry to hear about your friends passing but at that price you would have a great way to remember him even if what you remember was that he didn't like that rifle. Not everyone likes a 71 but they shoot nice and hit hard. You don't just walk into the local store and pick up a box of ammo anymore but you can find it on line with out much problem. A 71 for the price of a good marlin just doesn't happen often.

The M71 348 and 86's looked much better with checkering and good wood.

The thing about them is the lack of a scope, the primitive irons and the odd, difficult to find components and ammo for that 348.

Long ago I searched for a nice 71 with checkering and never found one at a reasonable price. Just as well as my 99F/.358 win is a better hunting rifle.

A search on Gunbroker found some and one may have reblue?

They are starting it at $1350.00!

M71 348 @ Gunbroker

Just as well I never got one.

I was in the same boat. I thought I'd never have one because of the high prices. My friend bought one about a year ago for $500.00 and it's in about 60% condition (bore is pristine though) with the receiver drilled and tapped. The person that said anyone that hasn't shot a 71 before owes it to themselves to do so was not lying. I shot my friends and I had to have one!!! They are the sweetest shooting lever gun I've had my hands on. Finally one fell into my lap yesterday and it's been around the block a time or 2 but the bore on it is also pristine. It's an oldie (made in '37) prewar with the long tang and original peep. I really look forward to shooting this one and hope it shoots as good as my friends rifle ...:



Figured you guys over here in this forum would appreciate the pic

Nice

Ain't that the way? A guy can never find a deal on a 71 and would buy it right off if he could, another guy finds a deal and walks. Guess that's life.

I am sorry to here about your friends death, I hope his widow is able to sell his stuff at a fair price that will help her out. I wish I had the money right now to buy that I always want a 71 and that is a fantastic price.

Ehh I broke down and bought it.

Good man!!!!

Guess we can quit snowin', he got the drift...

Very nice grab for 600.00! I would pull the stitches outta my wallet getting to a M71 for 600!

That's a nice 71 that I would be proud to own. I found out one thing about my 71 and that's when I shoot a deer he goes down instantly. No looking for blood trails.

Don't tell anyone, but mine wasn't too much more than that either. I'm still in shock about the whole deal.... ...:

I put a few extra old goodies on mine:



To the OP, post some pictures of your new rifle if you don't mind. I really like these old rifles...

BSA, you really did well if that is what you paid. I would find the money pretty quick for just about any 348 Win for 600.00! You did really well with yours and it looks excellent.

Can't wait to see it on the targets and especially what it looks like up against an old elk.. Should be pretty fun stalking the timber with that big rifle in your hands.

I have told myself, it is the next rifle I will add to my safe, before anything else.. Have to make it a priority now, I have bad Rifle ADD.....

They are a big rifle, but very aesthetic to me. I wished I had never sold mine, but I was offered more money than I could resist....

I never shot an Elk with it, but it sure would hammer Whitetail!

There's just something abut a big-bore lever that draws me to that concept.

That's a nice-looking rifle, bsa.

Not $600 my friend: A "little more", like I said earlier ($900.00) . I can tell you guys this because I don't think I'll ever get rid of this thing. My gunsmith told me the dang bolt peep is worth $700.00 since it's a bastid to find, and mine's all there. I finally shot it yesterday after my buddy blackdog1 sold me some ammo on the cheap. It shoots and functions very well. I don't know how anyone would pass up any m71 at $600.00!!! beretzs, I hear you about the rifle ADD...

That's great. What were you shooting out of it? Factory 200's?

Glad your getting some range time with it. How's it feel overall? I'm on the search!

Feels awesome buddy. I tried some factory 200 gr remingtons and some factory 250gr. winchesters. I'd post some target pics, but the rear bolt peep was loosening up as I shot and I couldn't adjust for elevation as it looked like the elevation adjust screw hadn't been moved in 50+ years (honestly). Today after I cleaned the rifle, I went to town tightening things that were loose and loosening things that were stuck ...If you guys promise not to laugh, I'll show some range/target pics

BSA has a sweetie of a 71...... I had the pleasure of fondling it for a while yesterday while we sat, visited and jawed about Winnies. I've owned quite a few 71's over the years and his is a very good one. An honest wear, early long tang with a complete bolt peep is a plus, plus, plus.
How do they feel....... Well....let's put it this way....when you cycle cartridges through it, its like manually shifting an exquisite transmission.....smooth, positive and strong.
JMHO,

BD

Not going to make fun of nobody!

Sounds like it was a blast!

Lets see em!

Ok guys, here goes. Like I said, the bolt peep was loose, but that has been fixed now and I couldn't get the elevation screw to turn with my hand so I had to do that at home too. Now it works great, seems like there is a lot of upward travel in that peep...Nice that I can turn the adjustment by hand now too ...:








And 5 shots offhand at 50 yards:

It's going to shoot much better with the bolt peep squared away, factory loads went from 150s to 250's hence the generous sight adjustment.....
Looking forward to seeing more..........

Thanks Bob, I really look forward to shooting and carrying this ol girl some more. I was thinking to myself today (at work) that I wish I had more field time with a lever gun ...We'll see how it works out though..

BSA, looks plenty good for killing elk! That old rifle shoots! Gotta feel good knowing some decent hand loads will probably stack em! Way to go buddy!

I just love the look and feel of the Whelen influenced Winchesters, models 64, 65 & 71....the 71 being my favorite. Nothing compares to cycling that big action. My 71 and 65 have the bolt peeps, the slickest sight there is. My 64 has a "climin' Lyman".

Thanks beretzs. I really look forward to packing this thing this year. Most of my elk I've shot here have been within 90 yards, so with a little practice and some good handloads I think it will work pretty good...That and a dumb elk to stand just right for me to pull the trigger on ....Actually blackdog1 showed me some 220 gr. barnes bullets he pulled from the offside hides of elk he's killed with the 348 and they looked pretty impressive. I think they will definitely get the job done

Yeah, I'm thinking anything from 200 on up is going to put the hurting on elk!


Your not helping my M71 deficit. Makes the drive to get one of my own even higher. It's amazing those old rifles shoot so danged well.

Yeah, those 220 or 250 Barnes Originals would be pretty cool.

Did anyone buy that browning 71 high grade yet...That's a beautiful rifle and it is very reminiscent of the old 71's...

Yup. Went for 955.00. I'm sick!

Ohhhhhhh.....Me too. ...That was a nice one!!!

2 Model 71 Deluxes short tangs



And my favorite...1937 long tang standard with buckhorn sight...at 59 the peeps don't cut it anymore...and it is a shooter.....

Jeeze, I am pretty sure my heart just stopped! Those are beautiful! Thank you for putting them up. Awesome rifles, truly dream rifles for me.

Those are awesome!! Thanks for posting. You have excellent taste..

Yeah no doubt those are gorgeous!!

Have a 71 in a shooter grade that I would consider trading on a Savage 99 358 cal with cut checkering. PM me if you have something. GW

You'll like it. It's a great rifle. I've got a Deluxe made in 37, also.

Love the old mod 71's, but the kind of hunting I do boating into islands in Alaska would be to hard on them for my conscience. Have the new win and am thrilled with it, more accurate than any of the older one's I ever worked with. Nice that don't feel bad when get scratch's, a little rust etc.

"I think I will pass on this. Win.71 "

Okay. That's one less thing to have to worry about.

Awesome

I lusted after a 71 it seems my entire life. Every time it seemed I had gotten to where I could afford one the prices had gone up again. I looked at several over the years. Always either too much money or they had been overly abused. Even saw one that the action would not stay closed on unless you held the lever agains't the tang.... overload?

Anyhow a few years ago my favorite Gun haunt had a very nice one sitting on the rack. It was a post war Deluxe that had been drilled and tapped on the side for a scope mount. Somone had done a clean job and had gone too the trouble of fashioning flush screws to plug the holes. It showed a little honest wear but had been clearly cared for. Best of all its bore, muzzle and chamber were bright and shiny and it locked up tight as a bank vault. What can I say? It was a shooter, it was nice and was in my price range so I took it home. It is one of my most prized firearms. It handles like a good shotgun. There really is no substitute for some things. With 250gr. Woodleighs and 4350 it holds 1.5 inch at 100 yards. That is beyond good and more accurate than it needs to be for my purposes. The reality of the dream has been wonderful. Hands off my 71

I love my 71!! I got the opportunity to take it elk hunting this last fall and it was a dream!! I like everything about the rifle. It will stay with me for a looooooooooong time

Man, just keep rubbing it in! Ha!

I'll let you shoot it next time you are down

I'm in! I just bought an old box of 250 grain Silvertips in the old WW box. Figure they'll get used someday.

That's cool buddy. I know you will end up with a nice 71 too. That hard to find ammo will come in handy.

I have to add as well a little bit about the first time I shot my 71. I had just finished checking the Zero on my .300 Weatherby Fibermark and old Ruger M-77 338 Winchester. I sat down behind the 71. The stories of vicious recoil playing through my head. And then the trigger broke and she went off. I sat there and chuckled, "recoil?" After shooting the big case boomers the .348 felt pretty tame. My .35 Whelen Model 1895 is a lot more lively! Anyhow my .348 with its weight, stock design and factory rubber recoil pad is a pleasure to shoot. If you like Lever Rifles you owe it too yourself to at least shoot one. I think the word that sums them up is.......smoothe......

Great post. I think you hit the nail on the head..

I never lusted after an M71, but did respect them as a quick-handling, short-range woods rifle. Then....I walked into a sporting goods store and looked over the used gun rack.
There happened to be a Browning carbine sitting there. As soon as I had it in my hands, it was true love.
I ran a few boxes of handloads through it, and every round got me more impressed.
I was unhappy with the hard-to-find bullet size so I thought a bit. My wife says I don't need a reason to change one of my tools. I had a reason this time. Hmmm, what to do....
I rebarrelled it to .375/348 Improved!
It has a Redfield peep-sight, and the same length 20" tube.
The ballistics are just slightly less than the .375 H&H Magnum, about 200fps less with 300gr RN bullets.
"Yeah, tho' I walk thru the valley of the shadow of the biggest, meanest bear in the world, I fear him not, as I've got my M71 with me."
Have fun,
Gene

That does sound like a HAMMER! I wouldn't imagine much that wouldn't tackle real nicely..

I just picked a new to me 71 up yesterday.
Bittersweet.
Friend had a stroke and won't hunt again.
He got it in 1942 as a graduation present.
In 1942 the day after you graduated you enlisted.
So he got to hunt with it in 1946 for the first time.
I don't know if he had the barrel shortened. I'll ask him Monday.
I'd rather hunt with him than have the gun.

I'm sorry to hear of your friend but glad you have his rifle. Should be a real special one.

It is. Real special to me.

I have seen pictures of this 71 in Gun Digest and such for 30+ years.

It came with both the Peep sight and a 2 1/2 Alaskan.

And a thousand built in memories and stories.

Thanks

I hope you keep adding more memories too it.

I want to take a buffalo. Bob never got to.

His true stories were better than any lie I could make up.

Winning a hat from Elmer Keith........how do you top that. LOL

Oh man! A buffalo with a Model 71! If I pulled that off I believe you all would be tired of seeing the pictures!

I love the heck out of my Browning. I couldn't imagine how beautiful a real Winchester would be.