When I started out deer and bear hunting in 1953 and with my own hand loads I looked at those Win. levers however they lacked scopes and I wanted a scope to see the 3" minimum antler on a Vt. buck.
The 99 Savage can easily mount a rifle scope. That was my choice for a woods rifle and a good one.
Those Win 71's can't.
I'd rather hunt deer with this than a damn savage 99: