An excellent point. The ergonomics of the pistol grip area and the necessary curve of the lever combine with balance and barrel length to really produce a
unique rifle. My largest whitetail buck was taken years ago with a Model 71, and the running shot would not even have been attempted with one of my scoped rifles.
I also made an impossible shot on a bobcat actually stalking moving deer in a small group. More recently in Alaska, I caught up with a moose in the willows
and the M 71 finished the hunt.
Now that you mention it, I have two Model 1886 smokeless -era rifles in 33 WCF. The 86-33 WCF combination was the precursors to the 348 Model 71. The
half magazine rapid taper-straight lever grip- standard 86 is pretty fast, but not as smoothly functioning as the M71. The other 86 is a checked special order in 33 WCF,
with a pistol grip and curved lever like the Model 71. You can tell where Winchester got the idea for the Model 71.
