A good friend just inherited a model 71 in 348Win. He asked me for a little help hand loading for it because factory ammunition is scarce & expensive (he doesn't currently hand load). He's looking just to be able to shoot it some, possibly carry on a few hunts. I know nothing about this rifle or the round. Any direction yall can provide for brass, bullets, powders, primers, load data, etc would be appreciated. Additionally any information that he should know about that rifle would be appreciated as well.
Thanks,
David
David, I use RL17 with the 250 Woodleigh in mine for 2300 FPS. It is very accurate for using a peep sight. Varget, RL15, H4350, IMR4451, H4831, RL19, etc have all worked fine. I just had a bunch of 17 and it shot well, so that is what I used.
The 200 grain Hornady FP is another great bullet for deer hunting as well. I have bought brass on here and a few other places, and I believe Hornady is making brass for it as well, so that is another option. I use CCIBR2's across the board for my loads in mine.
Cartridge : .348 Win.
Bullet : .348, 250, Barnes OrigFNSP 34810
Useable Case Capaci: 60.257 grain H2O = 3.912 cm³
Cartridge O.A.L. L6: 2.795 inch = 70.99 mm
Barrel Length : 22.0 inch = 558.8 mm
Powder : Alliant Reloder-17
Predicted data by increasing and decreasing the given charge,
incremented in steps of 0.639% of nominal charge.
CAUTION: Figures exceed maximum and minimum recommended loads !
Step Fill. Charge Vel. Energy Pmax Pmuz Prop.Burnt B_Time
% % Grains fps ft.lbs psi psi % ms
-06.4 90 52.42 2235 2773 36560 8092 96.3 1.413
-05.7 91 52.78 2251 2812 37288 8149 96.6 1.399
-05.1 91 53.14 2267 2852 38029 8205 96.8 1.386
-04.5 92 53.50 2282 2892 38791 8260 97.1 1.373
-03.8 92 53.85 2298 2932 39567 8313 97.3 1.361 ! Near Maximum !
-03.2 93 54.21 2314 2973 40360 8365 97.6 1.348 ! Near Maximum !
-02.6 94 54.57 2330 3013 41170 8415 97.8 1.336 ! Near Maximum !
-01.9 94 54.93 2346 3054 41997 8464 98.0 1.324 ! Near Maximum !
-01.3 95 55.28 2361 3096 42843 8512 98.2 1.311 ! Near Maximum !
-00.6 96 55.64 2377 3137 43706 8558 98.4 1.299 ! Near Maximum !
+00.0 96 56.00 2393 3179 44591 8603 98.6 1.287 ! Near Maximum !
+00.6 97 56.36 2409 3221 45494 8646 98.7 1.275 ! Near Maximum !
+01.3 97 56.72 2425 3263 46417 8688 98.9 1.264 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+01.9 98 57.07 2440 3306 47360 8728 99.1 1.252 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+02.6 99 57.43 2456 3348 48325 8766 99.2 1.240 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+03.2 99 57.79 2472 3391 49314 8803 99.3 1.229 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
Results caused by ± 10% powder lot-to-lot burning rate variation using nominal charge
Data for burning rate increased by 10% relative to nominal value:
+Ba 96 56.00 2520 3525 53961 8318 100.0 1.187 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
Data for burning rate decreased by 10% relative to nominal value:
-Ba 96 56.00 2218 2731 36429 8280 91.5 1.415
Cartridge : .348 Win.
Bullet : .348, 200, Hornady FP 3410
Useable Case Capaci: 66.462 grain H2O = 4.315 cm³
Cartridge O.A.L. L6: 2.795 inch = 70.99 mm
Barrel Length : 22.0 inch = 558.8 mm
Powder : Alliant Reloder-17
Predicted data by increasing and decreasing the given charge,
incremented in steps of 0.577% of nominal charge.
CAUTION: Figures exceed maximum and minimum recommended loads !
Step Fill. Charge Vel. Energy Pmax Pmuz Prop.Burnt B_Time
% % Grains fps ft.lbs psi psi % ms
-05.8 91 58.42 2455 2677 34617 8631 92.2 1.302
-05.2 91 58.78 2472 2713 35240 8699 92.6 1.293
-04.6 92 59.14 2488 2750 35876 8765 92.9 1.283
-04.0 93 59.50 2505 2786 36524 8831 93.3 1.274
-03.5 93 59.85 2521 2823 37185 8895 93.6 1.265
-02.9 94 60.21 2538 2860 37858 8959 93.9 1.252
-02.3 94 60.57 2554 2898 38546 9021 94.3 1.242
-01.7 95 60.93 2571 2936 39248 9083 94.6 1.232
-01.2 95 61.28 2588 2974 39963 9143 94.9 1.221 ! Near Maximum !
-00.6 96 61.64 2604 3012 40693 9203 95.2 1.210 ! Near Maximum !
+00.0 96 62.00 2621 3051 41436 9261 95.4 1.200 ! Near Maximum !
+00.6 97 62.36 2638 3090 42196 9318 95.7 1.190 ! Near Maximum !
+01.2 98 62.72 2654 3129 42972 9374 96.0 1.180 ! Near Maximum !
+01.7 98 63.07 2671 3168 43762 9428 96.3 1.170 ! Near Maximum !
+02.3 99 63.43 2688 3208 44570 9482 96.5 1.160 ! Near Maximum !
+02.9 99 63.79 2704 3248 45394 9534 96.8 1.150 ! Near Maximum !
Results caused by ± 10% powder lot-to-lot burning rate variation using nominal charge
Data for burning rate increased by 10% relative to nominal value:
+Ba 96 62.00 2788 3452 49984 9311 99.7 1.102 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
Data for burning rate decreased by 10% relative to nominal value:
-Ba 96 62.00 2408 2575 33964 8547 85.7 1.316
Yes, and call Karl out at Alaskan Bullets Works, he sells some damn fine bonded 250gr bullets for the 348 Winchester.
Awesome thread thanks!
Has any one used superformance?
I have not, the 348 case has plenty of powder room to get ALL the velocity you OR the rifle want with regular old H-4350 and RL-17 powders, I load my 250's to an easy 2200 fps, they would blow through most anything at a max 150 yard bolt peep range and be easy on the 1937 year model rifle too boot.
very nice posts ,some good reads ! i still haven`t even shot my new to me 348 Winchester special. thanks for posting,Pete53
Thanks for the information everyone!
David
If he won't be shooting much, I'd suggest he just buy 3 boxes of factory ammo and rock on.
Isn't Buffalo Bore or similar company loading these? It is only a query as I haven't a 71 anyway. My 86 Winchester is a 33 WCF. Be Well, Rustyzipper.
I thought Starline recently started making brass. The Hornady 200 JSP has been quite accurate for me with IMR-4350. Maybe I'll get lucky and shoot something with it. I'm sure it will kill a deer if I can find one.
If he won't be shooting much, I'd suggest he just buy 3 boxes of factory ammo and rock on.
I couldn't agree more!
Hell, buy 5-6 boxes!
After he shoots that rifle 6-8 times he will probably rethink the fun part!
And for god's sake, no pointed/Spitzer bullets!
P.s. A 71 348 is my favorite Winchester of all time!
Starline brass is readily available. I disagree with buying factory ammo unless you just didn't want to reload. You can taylor the power level and accuracy for his 71. Well worth it in my opinion.
Once he does start shooting this phenomenal rifle/round, he will definitely regret not picking it up sooner! I I had two lever calibers to carry, small bore would be 25-35, large bore a 348!
The recoil with factory Winchester 200 grain Silver Tips is not bad at all. You will notice it but should be able to handle it. I would definitely recommend he put a peep sight of some kind on it.
I have good results with the 200 gr Hornaday flat nose bullet over 59.0 grains of IMR-4350. My Browning 71 with iron sights give about 3/4" groups at 50 yards, which is good considering my eyes. And I'd never try more than a 100 yard shot with irons becuase I cannot see that well. So this is a fine load for me.
You don't mention if your friends rifle is an origianl Win or one of the newer Brownings. I have read (but not confirmed) that 250 gr bullets are too long for use in a newer Browning. Just be sure to check your loading OAL to your particular rifle
The RCBS 348-200-FN (lead) loaded with 15gr of Red Dot is a good load that shoots accurately and is easy on the shoulder. I plan to HP a few and use them on deer later this year.
Thanks, Dinny
After quite a bit of research, here in the Campfire, Jorge's list, various articles in Handloader, and reloading manuals, I settled on H4350 powder. Using new resized Winchester brass and CCIBR primers, a new lot of H4350 with the 250 grain Barnes Originals and my Magnetospeed chrono, 57 grains gave me 2334 fps, sd-26, es-47. 57.5 grains gave me 2351 fps, sd-2, es-5. I had some loaded at 58 but I didnt even try them, the 57.5 load was so consistent and gave me excellent velocity. Accuracy ran just above 1 inch at 50 yards, with the Magnetospeed on the barrel.
The velocity seemed a bit high out of my 24 in barrel. I double checked the Magnetospeed with my ProChrono and it is correct. Ejection was easy and smooth. Brass looks fine. Rifle was built in 1956.
Now on to the 250 Woodleigh.