Home Forums Lever Action Central Big Bore Levers 348

Would someone mind sharing some loads for the 348. I have some Barnes 220 gr. originals on the way. I have IMR 4831, CFE223, IMR4064, H4350, H4831, IMR4350, MR2000. Thanks for the help.........Joe

IMR 4350...start at 53gr and work up. Barnes shows 58gr as max.

This with Winchester cases and WLR primers.

I had success with 53 grains of IMR 4895 and 200 grain Hornady bullets in my M71. When I tried hotter loads the groups opened up quite a bit.

Thanks for the information......Joe

I use 63.5 grs of H4350, WLR primer behind a 200 gr Hornady in my '54 M71 .........Three shots touching a 50 yards...........1.5" to 1.75" at 100 if I do my part

All I can find are some 250 grain bullets.

I use RL17 for 200’s and 250’s in mine.

Anyone know where some leverevelution bullets might be for sale?

Isn't that the ideal bullet weight for the 348? It was made as an elk, moose, and big bear rifle so it would seem that would be the preferred weight.

I’m thinking the 250’s are for bigger than whitetail game.

I believe your very correct, but isn't that the real role of the 348win and the 71 rifle model? There was 180gr and 200gr loads but the intent and spirit of the 348win was as an big game rifle not a whitetail tool. That's probably the reason it failed and the 1894 30-30 soldiers on.

My shooting will likely be more at deer than at big beats.

Hawk offers 165's and 180's in thin jackets for deer. I'm gonna get some of the 180's myself, probably get 200's and 250's also while I'm at it just incase.

I’ve had a very limited experience with Hawk bullets and it wasn’t a pleasant experience. Anyone able to shoot Hawk bullets accurately?

Winchester would have been better served in 348/M-71 with 200-225-250 gr bullets,
They discontinued the 150 gr quickly in the 1940s. Peters made a 210 gr inner-belted bullet. Ahead of its time.

North Fork made a 230 gr-Fury now makes a 220 gr bonded. That should be a good balanced weight bullet.

53 grs of 4895 is close to the factory loading for 200 gr bullets.

My first jacketed group:

348 Win, Browning 71, 220 Barnes FP 9 ½, 59.5 grains H4831sc, 1.57 MOA

Lyman Aperture rear sight and factory front

(I'm very pleased with this rifle and load.)

I shot a couple of Cast loads one sized at .348 and the other .349 groups were identical

348 Win, Browning 71, 200 GC RCBS, WLRM, 27.5 grains H4198, 2.86 MOA

Still waiting to get range time, but my first trial loads are 50.0-51.0 of IMR4895 and Hornady 200JFP
I am trying IMR4895 simply because it is used a lot in this caliber and I use it for other guns. My "GO-TO" in the Garand

The 348 WCF is relatively easy with 200-220-250 gr bullets. Keep within factory ballistic speeds, as even the M-71 will stretch cases.
Lever action rifles DO NOT respond well to hot-rodding. NOT necessary. Duplicate factory loadings in weights of bullets.

Since Hornady discontinued their 200 gr FP, its now a matter of availability-again. Barnes, Hawk, and Fury bullets.
Powders range from IMR 4895-RL 15,19-4350 and H-4831 sc-H 4831 sc is an accurate powder in the 348 and 33 WCF.

Hawk-Fury-Barnes are delivering bullets, but be prepared for delays. Put out WTB ads in classified sites-for bullets.Take what you can get..

FURY Bullets: In 348, Fury Bullets in Michigan make a bonded 348 in 220 gr weight. This weight is about perfect,
and is close to the older Peters 210 gr inner-belted bullet of the 1940s and 50s.
Furies are well made. When ordering, ask for a nose diameter reduction past the ogive
including the entire nose toward the flat point of the bullet.

Did you have issues with them engraving, when seated in the cannelure?

My Fury bullets have a nice, large and flat meplat, with a gradual taper from the bearing surface. I was concerned about interference, but did not have any in my rifle when seating them to 2.70".


Tim