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Some general comments...

I'm currently in "science project" status just now, considering what I would use the M71 for, and what bullets/velocities might be best for whatever that turns out to be. Critter-wise (?) I don't see the .348 any more suitable for various animals than my .300 Savage... or my .260 Remington, for that matter... with the exception of the great bears. Not too many of those around here...

Anyway, I doubt I'll get out elk hunting again, never cared much about shooting a moose, don't really want to kill a bear all that much assuming he's not intent on munching my arm off.

Bullet-wise, a 200-250 grain chunk of lead, encased or not, is certainly larger. More useful? I dunno... More recoil? Yeah, probably, but not insurmountable.

I'm better with a scope (Savage M99, etc) than without. OTOH, a good peep is a good peep, not insurmountable... especially when the target is probably bigger than a breadbox and distance is reasonable.

Midway has Woodleigh 250-grain Weldcore bullets, and both Starline and Hornady brass in stock. Graf & Sons has a few 200-grain Swift A-Frame bullets in stock. I ordered some of all of those. Arm and a leg, plus a lien on my firstborn. Thought I was gonna have to throw in a well-broke mule, too... Anyway, all that to complement my existing horde or Hornady 200-grain FPs, Barnes Original 250-grain solids, Winchester brass, and some loaded Wnchester 200-grain Silvertip ammo.

I see some articles are describing the current Hornady 200 FPs as "InterBond" -- which may be newer than the supplies I have, simply marked FP. I have mixed feelings about their 200-grain FlexTip. Somehow it seems to modern for this rifle, and perhaps not really all that useful... although maybe an extra FPS or two may suit some.

Might be interesting if Barnes came out with re-engineered versions of their 200- and 220-grain X bullets, i.e., with the bands.

I'm guessing any decent 200 at 2500 FPS or a good 250 at 2300 FPS is good enough for about anything, long as it shoots to point of aim, is decently accurate, and well within pressure limits.

The M71 really does "carry nice" if you want to schlep it around in your hands most of the time, and it shoulders fast!

-Chris



Last edited by Ranger4444; 08/12/20.
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Really cool Dean. Sorry to hear about your Dad. Glad you have his rifle!



I have a Browning M71 on the way had hope to wander the big woods of Vilas and Sawyer Counties with it next year. While wearing wool, of course!!


Tim

Last edited by Tarbe; 10/27/20.

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Hey Chris. The Flextip is a really great caribou bullet. Makes taking a shot to 300 yards possible if you practice enough. The factory load from Hornady is scary accurate. I'd love to see a good 220 grain bullet as the 250;s shoot so much lower than the 200's that once you decide on 250's you might as well stay there. Unfortunately the 220 Barnes doesn't penetrate any better than the 200 Hornady FP which though discontinued I now have 500 of. The Hornady FP penetrates better than the FTX and is on the edge of moose worthiness. You could do worse than standardizing on the 250 Woodleigh and limiting shots to 200 yards or so. Great bullet and very accurate in my personal made in 1956, model 71. 4 Years older than me and lots more milage left!

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So you're a young whippersnapper, huh? smile

Interesting to hear about the Flextip. I did get some, haven't opened the box to examine...

I'm about half-convinced to use the M71 on this year's whitetail hunt, just 'cause I can. With factory 200-grain Silvertips, but it'd be a good application for Flextips I think. Our deer are sometimes only slightly larger than a Labrador Retriever, so I expect the .348 will work... but I'm not so great with tiny targets in the peep sight much past 150 yards or so. Still, once I figured out how to tweak the sight (described in another thread) I reckon at least the rifle will shoot where I expect it to.

-Chris

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I have not taken delivery of my Browning M71 yet, but now have 700 of the Hornady 200gr FP and a couple hundred cast bullets on the bench for her. smile

I will also want to get some 250 Woodleigh (despite the failure of the bonding on my 550gr Woodleigh) and some 200gr A-Frame. Would also like to smack some of the heavier Hawks into wet newsprint to compare.


Tim


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