Good points on the Model 71's inherent virtues as a hunting rifle that can handle anything to include bears-in North America. As Alaskans have learned and experienced,
what you have in your hands at the time becomes your "bear rifle". A serious charging grizzly may be another matter, but the bonded core bullets now available
that were not available 50 years ago bring the .348 WCF into another class of rifle. With fast repeat shots, it challenges even the 338 Winchester.
I have owned a Model 71 with a Lyman Alaskan in a Griffin and Howe QD side mount. Wonderful rig, but it added another 1.5 pounds to the total weight of the rifle. So-it does
slow the inherent qualities of the M-71. A good aperture iron sight will handle most shooting at the M-71's effective ranges.
The Savage 99s are trim slick packages, but they are not as reliably fast as the 1886-Model 71 rifles by Winchester.
Rifles are personal, and a lot of judgment on rifle and cartridge reflect game taken with the confidence and satisfaction of years of successful hunts. So it is with the Winchester Model 71.
In the deep Alaskan bush, my Model 71s tend to be chambered in the 348 Ackley Improved or the wonderful 450 Alaskan. Elmer Keith influenced Harold Johnson in
the development of this cartridge. He used both the later 86 and Model 71 for this heavy wildcat. They are about the best rifle in serious bear country-where a downed moose may
attract a big bear. Then the moose hunt turns into a bear hunt -fast.
Last edited by 450Fuller; 10/17/18.
