Rifles involved in the test:
Remington 700s- Safari in 458 WM-24 in BBL; Winchester Model 71s in 450 Alaskan and 348WCF-24 in Barrels; Marlin Guide Gun-181/2 in BBL.-45-70 GOVT
AMMUNITION: Loads used were factory and hand loaded cartridges. 458 cartridges were hand loaded, factory, some reduced to duplicate 450 Alaskan-45-70 comparable pressures, recoil, and velocity . The aim in the test being to equalize recoil effect among lever rifles and bolt guns-as much as possible-to insure a valid test.
Participants were experienced hunters whose knowledge of both type actions insured equitable evaluation with no bias or built-in favoritism to either type of
rifle action.
Ranges: 25-50-75 yards
Test Measurement Areas: Accuracy:shot placement Speed: Number of aimed shots over time Action Cycled: Flawless ejection/extraction relative smoothness
Test weighted toward handling dangerous game-(Bears in Alaska)
This interjects a reality factor, and was a major reason for the test. {My own research involved a 348 Ackley
Model 71 against a 338-06 Model 70 and a 338 Win Magnum -both were pre-64 Model 70s---similar results}
The Winchester Model 71s were far and away the smoother cycling-ejecting of all rifles tested. They were TWICE as fast as the bolt guns.
Surprisingly, at the speed they were fired-they were also the most accurate on target.
Ergonomics in cycling was appreciated and noticed by the shooters.
Rifles were exchanged-then the bolt gun shooters handled and fired the lever action rifles, and vice versa.
Results were : Roughly the SAME RESULTS with different shooters.
Marlin Guide Gun-18 1/2 inch barrel-45-70. This rifle is being evaluated separately as none of the shooters
were particularly impressed by its characteristics. Speed of handling and accuracy fell short
of the Model 71 rifles, while accuracy was only equal to the bolt action.
The length of barrel was felt to be the major cause of handling difficulty. Balance was thrown off
in the cycling phase during ejection/rechambering. {I have an early-no extra safety- 1895 Marlin 45-70 with 22 in barrel. It handles pretty well and is accurate}.
CONCLUSIONS:
Barrel length is important in lever action extraction/ejection cycling. Balance is critical . Barrel length less than 22 inches may affect accurate shooting;
cycling the action, sight radius, and overall speed of smooth handling.
For dangerous game conditions in Lower 48-Canada-Alaska, the Winchester Model 71 in its original 348 WCF caliber and including the 450 Alaskan-
may be the fastest and smoothest handing lever action rifle V. bolt action available. Its accuracy was also amazing under pressure
of fast ejection, chambering rounds and cycling of the action.
Similar to the findings of the government panel reviewing the famous Sharps rifle {Old Reliable}-the Winchester Model 71 is Simple-strong-and well designed.
(John Browning would have liked having it on a grizzly hunt.)
Last edited by 450Fuller; 02/08/18.
