I purchased a Winchester .348 this year from my cousin because of what I read on this forum!

Is it too much gun for a white tail?

No sir, I plan to be using mine this week and hope I can find a buck to cooperate!

I've shot whitetail with a .348, damage looked to be the same as a .30-30, or any rifle using a reasonably constructed expanding bullet.

I have shot more than a few large whitetail bucks with the 348 WCF in the Model 71. In 1993, the largest whitetail recorded in Tuscaloosa County was shot
by a pre-war Model 71.
Still hunted by the writer approximately 29 miles from the main campus of the U of A. With 180-200 gr Hawk bullets, Hornady 200, or other weight bullets from 180-200 the 348 WCF
is more effective and does less damage to meat than a 270 WCF traveling at warp speed. It can also immediately be used for elk, moose, bear or caribou by changing construction or bullet weight.
Woodleigh or Swift bullets come to mind. Its a versatile cartridge. The bullets now available in 348 diameter really bring the cartridge into the realm of a lever action 35 Whelen.

No, not all.
I have used mine for the past 25 + years for deer and pigs with positive results. I have used factory Winchester and Remington 200 gr. factory ammunition and 180 gr. Hawk RT, 200 gr. Hornady FN and the 220 gr. Barnes "Original" on deer, a caribou and pigs.

As noted above, there was noticeably less meat damage that I've witnessed from a 25-06, a 270 WCF or a 7 mm Rem. Mag. on deer and pigs.

The 250 gr. Alaska Bullet Works has worked on one black bear, one Nilgai and one moose.

The 348 WCF is much more versatile than people give it credit for.

I put a Lyman 66 receiver sight on mine when I first got it and the combination still works.


StarchedCover

Good luck beretzs.

OP, hell no it's not too much, it's just perfect, I shoot the crappy old Barnes 250gr heavy jacket bullets in mine, they flattened a couple deer, i'll redo load workup with the 250gr Woodleighs once these are shot up, good luck and happy hunting with your new rifle.

Thanks Gunner. I’m running that Woodleigh. If the family wants to do some drives it’ll be the rifle in my hands. It points like a good shotgun and just hammers things. I like that!

Starched Cover! What a track record! Awesome.

Yo welcome friend, pile em up, i don't figure you'll be getting any of those Woodleighs back for weights and measurements!

I don’t imagine so.. deer probably can’t hold em! At least not sideways.

Agreed, no way, my little 35 Rem with the 220gr Speers blew through a 200lb bucks shoulders AND hams, I don't imagine those bullets slowed down much.

Thanks everyone!

Late on this conversation as I was hunting whitetails in far northern Wisconsin with a M71 348 this last week. Did not get one this year but have shot numerous whitetails with the 348 using 200 grain Silvertips. Never had a problem.

No problem! I see guys using 45 70, 444 and 450’s, so a 348 should be just fine. I wish I had an original 71.

I wanted to use mine but bought it to late in year,didnt get it sighted in.Probably was sighted from last guy but still wanted to shoot at the range before.

A bullet through the rib cage will do the trick with no meat damage.
Watch your backstop though. because a deer will not stop the bullet.

It absolutely will wack a whitetail with authority. For me, the deer just has to get close enough for irons and my crummy old eyes! 5o to 75 yards.

Is there such a thing as "too much gun"?