Home Forums Lever Action Central Big Bore Levers Anyone here ever shot big game with a 348WCF Model 71?

I'm mainly a Marlin guy,but the 71 intrugues me.I purchased a 41 vintage 71 deluxe last year and while I havent used it on game,I have done considerable shooting with it.I have used all reloads in my testing.The best accuracy was obtained with the Barnes 250gr and IMR4895 in my rifle.From expansion tests I think this bullet is too stout for whitetail.The Hornady 200gr with IMR3031 works quite well in my rifle and I would believe it would be the better choice on deer size game.I did notice the Hornady 200gr will come apart when pushed hard(2450+)
I am expecting the Hornady to hit like the Hammer of Thor on a whitetail.Time will tell.We just have deer and black bear here,so I likely wont get to use the 250gr load much.

When I was a licensed Montana outfitter back in the 70s & 80s I shot a lot of elk with my .348 Model 71. It�s an excellent saddle rifle with iron sights. It was not unusual for clients to borrow it after their scope took a tumble or their rifle wasn�t dependable for other reasons. Every elk shot was instantly dead (with a chest or neck shot).

I always kept it loaded with factory Winchester 200 grain Silvertip bullets. The rifle is excellent for closed-in brush (dog-hair) shots early in the morning on elk. After they�ve filled up on water, and then drift uphill to a flat semi-open bench holding feed, to bed down for the morning/day. In western Montana this is at the head of a north facing draw that has a grassy bench with open evenly spaced old growth trees at around 5,800 ft, with a dog-hair screen below and with the crest of the above finger ridge within 200 feet �for escape.

That�s for all you guys that have shot elk in Montana, compare that to where you got your elk. No, I wasn�t watching you when you got one. That's where they live due to logical reasons and here you thought old outfitters were so keen.

I don�t think 250 grain bullets make that much difference. They kick harder and don�t print as flat as the 200. I load 200 grain Hornady bullets, too, and my rifle shoots dead-on at 100 yards giving 1�� or smaller groups (very common). I�ve had to take a few elk out to 150 yards, but that was because putting a sneak on exposed elk standing out in the open, of a lightly wooded south facing slope, is pushing my old luck. Just SHOOT!

The Model 71 is a great saddle rifle, because I can ride through tough-stuff, with all the hard bouncing around when the horse looses his footing, and I still don�t have to worry about a scope. When we crest a ridge I look between the buckhorn of the horse�s ears and if there�s an elk anywhere to be seen old �Rusty� has him pegged. It�s a breeze with a good horse. We work together and then I slip off and slide the 71 out quickly and that old 86-action is so smooth. Every client that shot it immediately offered to buy it; I could have sold it a hundred times.

Joe Back, the most famous Wyoming outfitter used a .348 Model 71 saddle rifle. I always figured that if it was good enough for Joe it has to be OK. George Moore was another famous Montana outfitter who hunted the �Bob� working out of Ovando and he exclusively used a .348 Model 71. I�m from the same area and can attest the .348 200 grain bullet is enough for elk, deer and bear. It�s all about hitting the critter with a well placed confident & accurate shot.

In comparison, the heaviest bullet I ever shot in a 30-06 was a 200 grain and elk are regularly shot with 180 grain bullets. I have a couple of .416 Rigby�s, but they�re intended for backup not overkill. Don�t discount a 200 grain bullet.

�Smile, you�re holding a legend, pick a good spot, take a deep breath and aim, now squeeze slow �Boom!� Those few words worked every time for clients and my Model 71 created a lot of great memories for them �and ME!

Stoneman

Stoneman,

THANKS for the great post and stories! That model 71 of yours must be a really special gun to you and your family now.

I am hoping to make at least a few of my own with mine, now.

MARK

Just recently got back into the mod 71 since there is finally a better bullet selection. After a lot of testing settled on the 250gr woodleigh, by far the most accurate in my rifle, new win. Only shot one animal so far with it, med size moose. 125yd quartering shot thru lungs into shoulder, looked like God hit him with a sledgehammer, recovered bullet and it was perfect!

Any pictures of the recovered bullet. That Woodleigh shoots real well outta my 348 as well.

Awesome!! That is just cool. I hope to kill an elk with mine one of these days. The 71 is a very cool retro rifle for sure..

Mine goes way back to 1937


No pics of game kilt, but here it lays on the gray carpet:

Best moose gun ever!!

Agree with "the best moose gun ever" statement! Took last years and this years moose with 250 woodleighs, recovered both bullets and they were perfect! Have a good supply of the recent 200gr power points, has anyone used/recovered any? Don't really need the woodleighs for deer but hunt in area's with a lot of brown bears so need a bullet that would work for both if needed.

I know where there's a new in box deluxe (original production). Think the price is at 6 grand, wish I had the change to bring it home.

This is an excellent subject on the field use of the 348 cartridge/
Model 71 combination.
My best white tail buck was running and hit with a 348 200gr Silvertip
25 yrs ago. I have switched to Hawk bullets in 200-250-and 270 grains.
They really work. If you are looking for a 348 bullet that is accurate and holds together-the Hawk bullets and Alaska Bullet Works are best buys at the same price as lesser bullets-as to construction. They have to hold together.

For the few of us that have Winchester 71s that are chambered in 348
Ackley-the 270 Hawk or 250 gr is the way to go-it is like a 35 Whelen
as to stopping power. I stopped an Alaskan moose in 2007 with the 270 Hawk in my 348 AckImp at 90 yards. One shot. In Alaska, you never know when a bear will show up at the skinning pile. That is when you might
wish for the right tough bullet. I have early 71s in 348WCF,348 Ackley-and 450 Alaskan. There is a difference in the stopping power of each cartridge. But the Hawks-Alaska B Works-and Woodleighs are bonded
cores and hang tough. If you are out in bear country, your hide might depend upon a quality bullet.