I've heard/read that if you could only have one (lever) rifle, this would be IT.

grouseman

Grouseman,
It would certainly be my preference in the larger bore lever guns. I've owned several 348s but may have to find a Browning 71 to rebarrel to 450 Alaskan.

Where's all the conversation? I thought this was a big-bore lever forum. Anybody who don't like the 71 should be ashamed to post here!

Ain't had the pleasure of owning/hunting one (yet), so I can't say as to whether it would be my one lever gun or not.

That said, I have "fingered" a couple and liked the way they handled. Sweet rig; and along with the Savage 99s, too damn bad $$$ got in the way of making a truly fine rifle.

It seems that money just got in the way again on the 9422. I love take-down rifles but money always seems to get in the way on factory ones.

I'll talk to ad-nauseum about the venerable M71. I own only one CF rifle, and that's it. Once you work the action of a 71, you understand why its the top end levergun. Mine wears a Lyman peeper and a blade front sight. It will group under 1-1/2" at 100 yards using just about any bullet and a healthy charge of R19.

I have one I bought a year ago.....It will be the last gun I sell and only then to save my wife or kids.

I have a lot of guns, and you would have a very hard time getting my 71 from me! they just don't make 'em this good anymore.

I have found that non-owners cannot understand what we mean with such statements. I will probably never own another M88, a M94, or an 1895 (Marlin or Winchester). Plinkers like the M92 never quite impressed me, and the Browning BLR is really just a fancy bolt action. I can't imagine life without my M71. I'd probably try to find another one in 450 Alaskan if I ever felt the urge for another gun. But even then, I'd feel like I was cheating on my real rifle.

Wanted a 50-110 for twenty years or more. Got one about six or eight months ago that was a Browning M71, rebarreled and rechambered. What a smooth action. Love that gun. Not meaning any disrespect to the original .348

I own many classic lever guns, and with no disrespect to the 45-70 or 30-30 etc, the 348 IMHO is the most classic, nostalgic, classy, and just plain coolest of them all. Think about it...only chambered in one gun by one maker and every last one of them is desirable and valuable and rare. I also love the 1886, but the 45-70 has been chambered in everything under the sun. THe 33WCF however is a different story. The old winchester boxes of 348 250gr. silvertips with the bear on the box are the s***!

They are one of the best. No sound like cycling the action of .348

If anyone wants to buy another one, go to www.idahostatesman.com and click "Classified ads," then look for "Guns." Check the last ad in that section.

Guy there wants to sell a Win. 71 in .348, for only $1,500.00

Sounds like a deal to me. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" />

L.W.

Nice rifle, just build at the wrong time. No provision for a scope, no provision for a good peep. The bolt peeps are a piece of s&^t. Winchester should have built it in 1900, it is a 1900s design.

Wish they would have made it in a 35 cal so we would have a variety of jacketed bullets.

I like my '82; and the '86 originals were pretty nice. Nicer than the 71, maybe, smoother.

But I've had one for 30 years along with many other rifles. I'll probably die with it; my kids and my brothers don't think it worth while....so they are not in my will for it.

If everyone thinks they are sooooo good, why did the Browning repos sit on dealers shelves for years ???? And I live in Lever Land.

Hoppes9

I bought Brownings and Weatherby's when they were made in the US... I don't like J*# rifles.

I've had my Mod 71 Deluxe for 40 years, it a dang good timber rifle, I couldn't tell you how many deer I've taken with it. The factory peep works just fine for me.

I've just bought a Browning version and am looking for an appropriate receiver sight for it. Any idea what my options are? I think there's a Williams FP-71 and I'm sure Lyman and Redfield must have made sights for them. Does someone know the correct model numbers and application codes for these sights?

Current receiver sights for the model 71 are being made by Lyman (model 66 WB, I think) and by Williams in both their 5D and Foolproof models.

I don't think Redfield makes iron sights anymore.

Look on Brownell's or Midway's web sites. They both sell the Lymans and Williams.

Thanks for the reply and info on the Lyman and Williams sights. Actually I was hoping to pick-up an old Redfield, Lyman or similar from Ebay. I'm just not sure what model and application code to be looking for, especially for the Redfield.

A scope on a Model 71 is a like a vinyl top on Mercedes Gullwing Coupe.

So how are the Browning repro- nostalgia aside. Are they are anything at all like the originals? Is it worth making a 450 Alaskan out of one?

I've not owned one yet, but I have seen and held a few at shows. I've also read many magazine articles singing the praises of the Model 71.

I think they are beautiful guns and I've been tempted more than once to buy one. Cartridge selection would be tough for me.....probably 50 Alaskan.

Well, from a standpoint of accuracy, fit and finish, I'd have to say the Browning 71 is a better rifle. I have a Browning and I have yet to see an old Winchester that has better wood to metal fit. That's not to say that I don't love the originals!

BMR,

Funny thing is that both 86 and 71 Brownings are an excellent work of art, and boy do they shoot. They just happen to be made in Japan. So much for knocking the Japanese replicas. They definately are worth the money and they are down right perfect in dimensions and quality.

rossi, I have both Brownings. After looking for some time for both, I got the 71 in Jan of this year, NIB, and the 86 just a couple of weeks ago, also new. Just shot them both yesterday and had lots of fun!

What are the 71's going for these days?

Collector grade Winchester 71 deluxe rifles are bringing north of $1800 pretty regularly, over $2000 for the most desirable configurations. Original condition shooters (80%-90% condition) from $1100 to $1600. Good condition guns that have an added recoil pad or that have been drilled for a scope are about $900 to $1100.

Should be able to find a Browning 71 for $700-900

Traded for a very nice 71 deluxe complete with Lyman reciever sight and detachable sling loops. Got it in the early Eighties. All original, have reloading equipment and shoots well. Just have never needed a rifle that big to kill deer with. Elk or bear in the timber and it would be hard to beat. It is a very nice looking rifle and just a bit on the heavy side. Never have wanted to part with it. I am tempted to get some good cast bullets and load it down to about 33WCF loading and see what kind of deer rifle it would make.

Blessed

I bought a browning 71 carbine took it to the range, WOW. Chased around for spring black bear with it, never found one large enough to bother with. I then got carried away and got the rifle version also. Has anyone cast bullets for one, I"m thinking of buying the RCBS mold for it as that's the only one I can find. I"ve never cast bullets before but just ordered some gas checks this morning so I guess I"ll learn how. Any and all advice ,experiences much appreciated. Now Im shooting Hornady and getting about 2.5" at one hundred yards, just put the receiver sight on and sure hope that helps.

which receiver sight did you get for it?

I got the Lyman from Brownells,my old time gunsmith who put it on for me was not that impressed eith their current quality control but with some finishing touches it is as the kids say "all good".

I first tried the Lyman on mine and did not like it very much, it just did not seem all that solidly mounted and seemed to have too much play to it. Now I have a Williams FP-71 on it and it is rock solid and shoots great.

How much did the sight cost and where do I order one? Thanks

I am looking to buy original sling swivels for a Deluxe Model 71. Is there any way to tell if the swivels are proper (original Winchester manufacture for Model 71 rifle?

I checked the 'Idahostatesman' website and the 71 is gone (if I did it right)