A mod 71 in standard caliber .348 W is on its way to me, and I'm considering how to load it. If I browse the pages of this forum, there is a lot written about Hornady 200 grs and Barnes 220 or 250 grains. They seem to be all good, accordning the forists.

But what about a bullet as Hawk 270 grains? Does the long 270-grainer stabilize or does it go key-holing?

Pete

try the woodleigh, very tough bullet.

Whether or not the bullet will keyhole is determined by the twist rate of the barrel in relation to the length of the bullet.

Find out what the twist rate of your rifle is then run some numbers through a twist rate calculator...there are several on line and Beartooth Bullets also has one.

I ran a quick and dirty check for a Barnes original 250 gr at 1.175" length and 2300 fs and the optimum twist was 1-17"...a 1.25" bullet optimum was 1-16"...2000fs, 1-15".

I'm guessing the twist rate is 1-16" same as the original and 250 gr bullets were loaded to 2350 fs. a 270 gr FN bullet shouldn't be too much longer than the Original so you should be OK for normal hunting ranges for the 348 Win.

Buffalo Bore has some heavy bullet loads...don't know which weight.

The only real way to know is to shoot some at various velocities and see.

Luck

I shoot hawk 270 out of my 71 at 2250 fps and they work very well and have no problems with them. They are a great hunting bullet for every thing

Been a long time since I owned a M71, but do check out Beartooth bullets - they have a decent collection of cast/gc bullets and data on line.

Last week I found a box of Barnes 250 grs. I will test the bullet, see how it patterns at the range and fire it into wet newspapers.

It seems to be a well composed cartridge. With 200 grs bullet it equals the 8x57IS, with 270 grs it is close to the 9.3x74R double rifle cartridge.

Having made the test, I'll be back with a report. It will go some weeks before that.

Thanks for your postings!

Pete

This is a 2011 subject, but the 348 Ackley with older Winchester 71s needs to be mentioned.
Years ago the 348 Ackley was popular-M-71s were affordable.

I have two of them, in addition to two 450 Alaskans on pre-war long tang 71s. They WORK!

The 348 Ackley provides flat shooting for the Hawk 270 gr bullet. It is a 35 Whelen in a lever action. Most report a velocity gain of close to 200 FPS. It is the most economical
way to turn a M-71 into a bear thumper with todays bullets.
With Woodleighs, Hawk, Alaska Kodiak bullets-that are bonded core-it really will improve trajectory and knockdown power. In the Alaskan bush and Canada, the 348 Ackley was always popular as was the original 348 WCF
A real Sundog cartridge.

You don't say if your Mod 71 is a Win or Browning. I think there is yet another maker of "modern" 71's, too.

Anyway, if a Browning I've read that the throat is a tad shorter than the original Winchesters and that you have to watch your COL. Don't want to load up too long of a cartridge for your 71.

Best of luck and let us know how things go.

If you go with the 200 Flextip for long range and deer shooting and the 200 Swift for bigger stuff you have only one zero to worry about. Makes for a very versatile package. My own experience with Hawk bullets have them shedding cores about as easily as the Barnes Originals do.

Well after reading all these posts on the win 71 a 348 ackley improved is on its way to me from Alaska,I love these guns especially the long tangs,I have a 348 untouched 1937 standard ,a 1937 416-348,a couple of 450 Alaskans & a 475 Turnbull,I dream of the day that I live someplace where I can put them to good use:}

Welcome to the forum, bill73. Nice group you have.

Congrats on the lever guns Pete and Bill, I have an excellent load worked up for my M-71 348 with the Barnes 250's, when they're gone it'll be the 250 Woodleighs all day everyday, I've found 2350 fps to be powerfully accurate, and plenty kind to the old steel.

Loaded 250 GR Hawke 0.035 jacket. Good bullet.

however, shoot 180 GR Hawke 0.30 jacket also Like this bullet.

Also shoot M71 in .450 Alaskan . Loaded 400 Gr. Northern Precision .458 bullet Bonded flat tip 0.030 jacket.

I like everything outta the model 71's. It is a feel good experience .

Thanks for the welcome fellas,


cisco1,
I have never heard of Northern Precision ? just tried to look them up unsuccessfully.

Where can I find load data to start with on the 180 go Hawk bullets? Has anyone used the monolithic GS 180gr?

What is that load, Jerry?

Geezer:

Mine are pre-war and post-war Winchesters. The heavier bullets like the 270 gr Hawk, are best used in the 348 Ack Improved. It worked
for me in an Alaskan moose north of homestead land in 2007. One shot.
With bullet construction improvements available now, the 348 WCF needs nothing really heavier than the 250 gr. bullet, IMHO.
Some of the better bullets in order of toughness or bonded cores: Woodleigh, Alaska Bullet Works (both bonded core in 250 gr). And Hawk Bullets-which use a similar process of jacket.
These are hunting bullets. Others like silvertips, Hornadys, Barnes - Remingtons 200 grs are best left to deer or antelope -or ....sighting in or practice.
The advantage of Hawk bullets is various bullet weights from 180 through 270 grain. Andy at Hawk Bullets made up some spire pt 190 grs for me as well as a few 300 gr
for the 348 Ackley Imp. Really too heavy but they worked.