Home Forums Lever Action Central Lever Actions - General Browning71: Short Lead/Throat?

Keep reading about how the Browning 71 has a shorter lead/throat than the original Win 71. Even note that some lead bullet makers state their bullet cannot be used in the B71 for that reason. The LBT 250 gr bullet is one example.

Question: Is it assured that all FACTORY 348 Win ammo, presumably made to SAMMI specs, is not too long for my Browning 71?

I must be the only guy trying to reload for the Browning 71!

In a Browning 71 loaded Hornady 200 FN bullets in my handholds. Never had any problems. That Rifle was more accurate than my Winchester 71 Long Tang.

The LBT 250 may be an entirely different animal.

It seems so from many other sources I've managed to dig up.

The Hornady 200 FN is my choice, too.

Hope to fire off a few rounds this weekend.

I made a throat impression of my Browning 348 chamber and mine has no appreciable throat. The chamber neck was a liitle long, which might give the impression of a slight throat. Barnes and Woodleigh 250 gr 348 pills both measured 0.343 just ahead of the crimp groove and both chamber and fit well when crimped in the crimp groove. Factory ammo functions fine too. The only issues I have had are with cast pills but if you use a Lee FCD to fix the cast pill where it chambers, then all is good. I only had to seat the cast pills fractionally lower (probably less than 0,05").

I should add that the Browning 71 is probably the most accurate levergun I own. FWIW most levergun rifle chambers have little to no throat. Those chambered for pistol cals are a different story though.