Home Forums Lever Action Central Big Bore Levers Scope mounting and the Winchester 71

Heresy! Something to that account is probably what a lot of you are thinking at the moment, however, I really want to get some more range out of my 71. Of course, I don't intend on bubba'ing a Browning 71 in good condition by drilling a bunch of holes into it and that brings me here. I would prefer a scout scope since I think I would have trouble with one of the offset types. After doing some searching I found something I'd quite like, albeit this one seems to be sitting on a Model 1895, come to think of it, I seem to remember someone on here having one with a scout scope:


My idea is doing something similar to those Turnbull red dot mounts that go on the barrel, where you have a base that fits the barrel contour which is secured by pulling it to the barrel via threaded dovetail filler + screw.

Any advice or input would be greatly appreciated!

I kinda gave up on the scout idea, so this is a concept for a no-drill side mount for ruger rings. It still requires some refining but I think it could work.

I cringe when I see old WInchesters with the holes drilled for the old side mounts.
I am looking for a Win 71 and I am surprised by the number with the holes.
Still hard to beat a peep sight

Blasphemy..

Yeah, my buddy bought one for dirt cheap a few years ago because it had holes drilled in the side of it. a 1951 model 71 standard for $500.00. The rifle would have been worth much more if it had not been messed with. As it is, he uses a Leupold 2-7 on it and has to rotate the scope so the turret does not interfere with ejection. So the windage is on top and the elevation dial is on the left hand side... I do agree with Jorge. For the most part, it is "blasphemy". Find a good bolt peep...

Part of the reasons that my 1892 , 1886 and 1895 have peeps.

I just installed a Burris Fastfire II with one of the Turnbull mounts on my 71. Got it sighted in and I think that I'm going to like it. No extra holes and it will be a cinch to remove and reinstall the original peep sight if I change my mind.

I recently gave into temptation and bought a Model 71. I didn't want a Deluxe but it seemed hard to find a standard that wasn't drilled for side mount scope. Even a lot of Deluxe models.
A real decent guy sold me his old 1941 Deluxe with the peep sight bolt. Peeps on lever guns are just the best.
Here in PA we have antler restrictions so in the past I have missed shot opportunities due to having to confirm antler point number with binoculars. And for several years I hunted with scoped Marlins.
Going to give the Model 71 a try this year. I hope that I don't have that issue again.

Keep in mind that any scope mounting adds weight while also adding unneeded bulk: all of which detracts\
from the Model 71's inherent grace and fast-handling characteristics. Put your scope on a bolt action rifle.
Don't ruin the lines of a classic design.

Peeps even work in Africa! On Ele, buff, leopard, etc




Hunting is more fun up close anyhow.

Basically, scopes do not belong on Winchesters or Marlins or even most Henry's. I suppose the BLR is OK with a scope and maybe Henry's long ranger. Seeing a scope on any Winchester lever rifle or a 336 is sort of like seeing see-through mounts on a rifle it is plainly WTF!

Just ran across this post that was me that sold you the 71

thank you for the
"decent guy" compliment .

Did you shoot the 71 yet?

Stith made a mount for the top ejecting Winchesters,
I recently bought one that is for a 1st model K4 which I happen to have.
I'm putting it on one of the modern 38-55 94s as a cast shooter.
Here's one on custom 71 from back when.