The Model 71 Winchester

The lever action rifle is a uniquely American design and has been wildly popular here for well over 100 years. From immediately after the Civil War until today, the lever action has been as American as apple pie and just as popular. Despite this love affair between American hunters and the lever action, not all of the models have been successful. Lever action Winchester rifles have been iconic since the moment they hit the market and all models are extremely collectible today.

Like the Models 1873, 1892, and 1894, some of these rifles were legends in their own time and still demand premium prices on the collector and used gun markets. Despite the highly successful models and the desirability of any firearm with the Winchester name, there have been some whose sales and Like all top ejecting guns scope mounting can only be accomplished using aside mount. The scope is mounted to the left of center to allow clearance for the empty case to eject.

One of only 14,254 manufactured, all chambered in 348 Winchester. Well made and attractive, it was the wrong gun at the wrong time. acceptance have not soared to the lofty heights of their brethren. Winchester’s Model 71 is a prime example of a well-made lever gun, designed by a guy named John Browning, that fell flat. If you’re too young to know who John Browning was just ask some old geezer at the gun club; he will probably have heard of him. Back in my day he was almost as famous as Gaston Glock.

The Model 71 seemed to have a lot going for it. The gun itself was very well built and was available in either a Standard or Deluxe model, The Deluxe model included a checkered walnut stock, forend, and a grip cap. The Model 71 was a refinement of the Winchester 1886 and it may, arguably, be the best lever action rifle ever made.

The action type was extremely popular, blessed with a brand name famous among riflemen, and was chambered for around that was powerful enough to take any North American game animal from deer, to elk, moose, and even bear. The 348 Winchester cartridge was available from the factory with 150, 200, and 250 grain bullets, with the 150 grain load at 2,890 feet per second, the 200 grain load at 2,530 fps, and the 250 grainer at 2,350

The 348 Win. is a powerful, hard kicking cartridge and large locking lugs were used to hold the bolt securely during recoil and last the lifetime of the gun. 348 caliber bullet availability. With only some 14,000 examples made in the odd .34 caliber, finding reloading components can be a challenge. I found these 200 grain gas checked lead bullets at Montana Bullet Works. fps. This gave the Model 71 a large degree of versatility and it seems like it couldn’t fail, but it did.

What could cause a gun that seemed like a sure winner to fail? Introduced in 1935 during the depths of the Great Depression, the Model 71 was just getting some notice when the world went to war again and production of sporting arms switched to production of military arms. Sales and manufacturing during the war years were nearly nonexistent. After World War 2, a big change in the market occurred as big game rifles with bolt actions and telescopic scopes largely replaced iron sighted lever action rifles.

It didn’t help that the market was soon flooded with inexpensive military surplus rifles and ammunition while the Model 71 was expensive and only offered in 348 Winchester. In fact, it was never offered in any other caliber and no other major manufacturer picked the round up. Therefore, both gun and the round it was designed for failed to find a significant place in the market. Those factors alone were enough to discourage sales but there were other factors that spelled doom for the rifle and its cartridge.

If you want to sell rifles in the United States, you better make a deer gun. Deer are the most hunted big game animal in the lower 48 states. The 348 Winchester in the 150 grain factory loading at 2,890 fps is like the hammer of Thor on deer. Unfortunately, the Model 71 is heavier than the Winchester 94 or the Marlins, and higher priced.

If you’re not hunting for bigger game most people will buy the totally adequate, lighter weight, and less expensive rifle in 30-30 (30 Winchester Center Fire), 32 Special, or 35 Remington—and they did! One thing the 348 Win. did much better than the 30-30 WCF was kick! The recoil with the heavier bullets is noticeably more intense. To that you can add uninspiring accuracy that pretty much limits it to 200 yards.

The 348 Win. was intended to replace the 33 WCF and it pretty much replaced a cartridge nobody was excited about with another one that nobody got excited about. There’s more. Like all top ejecting lever actions, scoping the rifle is a challenge requiring aside mount or along eye relief scope mounted on the barrel. What you wind up Far The cartridge is mainly kept alive today by the demand for a parent case for many old and obsolete firearms.

From left to right are an original 348 Win. case from Starline, an 8mm French Lebel, an 11mm French Gras, and a 41 Swiss; all made from the 348 Winchester case.