Home Forums Thread Like Summary - .348 bullet availability (2022) Model 71

First it was brass scarcity for our Model 71s, now quality bullets in .348 diameter are getting harder to find.
Part of this problem is due to manufacturers closing or discontinuing their bullets:
Hornady quietly discontinued their 200 gr FP bullet in .348. This was a reasonably priced go-to
bullet for hunting use in the Model 71. It worked well for deer -sized game and larger to include moose.

North Fork**, Woodleigh, and Alaska Bullet Works 230 and 250 gr bullets respectively- are no longer presently in business
or making their fine bullets. These covered a hunting range to include the big bears.

Currently, we have the following bullet makers and some smaller custom shops:
Barnes, Hawk and Swift. Smaller gun shops and dealers may have a supply of the discontinued or unavailable 348 bullets.
I have salted away .348 cartridges loaded with Kodiak, Barnes, North Fork, Woodleigh, and Hawk or Hornady bullets. No Swifts as yet.

North 61 in 2016 provided an in-depth quality review of the performance of most of these .348 bullets. It is discouraging to see Hornady discontinue
their series 3410-.200 gr 348 bullets. They discontinued these like they stopped making the .33 WCF 200 gr flat pt bullets for use in the 1886 Winchester.
That rifle was the predecessor to the Model 71 made by Winchester that is still in use today in some parts of Canada and Alaska-just like the M-71.

For we band of Model 71 aficionados, best acquire bullets and brass where and when you can.

** North Fork is now marketed under Reloading International-They have a USA office but are based in Sweden. The warehouse office in USA is in Pendleton, OR. and their site offer
200 and 230 gr .348 bullets. Be aware that their current prices are app. twice their original price per box. They also feature Swift bullets in .348 but list those as OUT OF STOCK**

I am going to lock up my ABW .348 bullets with my gold bars and diamonds, etc.!

Gas checks DID fall off quite often before crimp-on checks were first introduced in the 1950s. It's a moot point now.

I am not worried one ioda about .348cal jacketed bullet availability. I have the knowledge and skills to cast a lead bullet of the proper alloy to shoot accurately and kill impressively. Powdercoating lead cast bullets has been a remarkable break through in cast bullet shooting technology. I now cast my bullets with only pure lead and enough tin (20:1 ratio) to get good mould fill. The PC makes leading a thing of the past. Bullets cast this soft are deadly!

Someone else will soon offer 348 jacketed bullets. I'm testing them right now. Once I've been given approval I will advertise it.

Thanks, Dinny