My dad just gave me his early, first year production, model 71 deluxe long tang with bolt peep and sling swivels. Said it was my turn! I've been reading the posts here about the rifle and cartridge and am really looking forward to using it. As soon as I figure out how to post pics, I'll get some up. I have brass, dies, powder, bullets... all I need is something in front of me. Also looking forward to sharing, and reading, Model 71 stories. Take care, Dean.

Howdy Mr Dean...................You are one lucky man.Clean it good,and shoot it often.You'll be surprised how well they shoot when you find that load combo that it likes.The gun gods have looked down on you, smiled,and said "Lets give that man a treasure.......he looks worthy of it."Enjoy it my friend enjoy it like I do my '3six(sorry broken key)M71.No sweeter rifle made.

Thanks for the kind words Oskerspap12. Yes they are looking down on me! LOL! Because he also gave me his original 1873 Winchester in 32-20! Between the 2, I'm set for just about anything that walks!

Congrats! My Dad gave me his late model 71 deluxe quite a few years ago. I walked it through the northern Maine woods last month in his memory but the deer weren't cooperating. Try 61.0 grains of IMR3031 and the Hornady 200 grain JSP bullet. As my Dad used to say, "you won't have to shoot him twice!"

CAREFUL!

Hornady lists 49.2 grains of 3031 as maximum at 2500fps. I would stay away from 61 grains of this in a 348 for sure! Maybe Klondike Mike meant 51 grains?

I use slower burning like H414, H4350, RL19 or IMR 4451. Be careful with these fine rifles. I'd use a chronograph and stop when your 200 grain bullets hit 2500 or so.

Thank you North 61! You are absolutely correct. I meant IMR4350!!! So, so happy that I fugged up at the keyboard and not at the loading bench. Thanks for the correction. Please everybody use a current manual to verify load info especially if you read it from me on the internet. My brain fart could have caused a disaster. My humblest apologies. Mike

Went out last week with the express purpose of putting the smackdown on something ugly.

I hunted over a feeder I have out, it is programmed to throw corn at 8AM and 5PM. The hogs have been hitting it like clockwork.

About 4:50 PM a small sounder of 7 or 8 showed up and began milling around the feeder. This big old sow finally turned broadside at about 75 yards.

Model 71 don't take no prisoners!

Pics of the 71 "gifted" to me by my dad.

Along with the rifle, my dad gave me hundreds of loaded rounds, new brass, bullets, dies, Lyman crimp die... more than I'll ever use! (unfortunately!). I'm realistically going through "stuff" and am going to start listing items. But here, I'd like to offer some bullets to any fellow 348 shooters. There's 5 - 250 grain Winchester Silvertips and 35 - Speer 180 grain. Nothing too exciting, but if you can use them let me know. Only asking for $10 to cover shipping in a usps flat rate priority box.

That is a fine looking rifle!

Thank you!

Dean if we can come up with a price for shipping to Canada I'll take those 40 bullets, test them against the 5 other bullets in my arsenal and do a write up on this forum. Very interesting historical find!

Love the peep site on your rifle.

Some beautiful tools there gentlemen.
My father recently handed down to me Browning model 5. The "light twelve". I too, am eager to test it out. Have fun.

North61, I'm going to the post office today, I'll see what it is. Thank you.

Beautiful rifle, what a treasurer! Hope it continues down through your family for generations to come. Enjoy it while you're it's caretaker.

Talk about a nice early Christmas and happy new year present, dang, Congratulations!

Nice rifle.

I think that the M71 and the M64 are two of the most aesthetically pleasing lever actions made.

That 71 got some whomp.

That's a beautiful rifle Dean!
Knowing it was your Dad's really enhances it!

Dean...ck your PM's I sent you a couple. Nice rifle!

Very nice rifle! I just looked at one yesterday. 3600 bucks! Is that the going rate for them?

Wow! No idea! This one is priceless as far as I'm concerned!