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This bear was taken in Nome, Alaska with a 1950's Model 71 and a 250 grain bullet.
(You can use smaller loads)
Boys, I just got my hands on this new one. I will review it in action... later.
I had intended to show you pretty pictures of my new baby. But,
photobucket is down for maintenance. So, let me tell you instead.
I ordered from gunsamerica from a gut instinct. I knew the second
I saw it that I wanted it. It was not intellectual at all. It was pure gut.
I did not even research it to confirm. I just acted.
Boddington with his Nilgai taken with the .348 in Texas
This is SO out of character for me. I am SO cautious with purchases.
I normally move in years, not days... maybe decades. I bought a range
box after two years- (Thanks Hilljack!) I bought a Colt after decades. I
bought a Kentucky long rifle after decades. My last major gun purchase
before these? Five years ago.
I snap moved on this rifle... seconds after seeing the pics.
Granted, I am fairly knowledgable now, but not THAT knowledgable.
A happy hog hunter with his Model 71 .348 in Texas
It was like a divine intervention! Especially after I learned that even
Jesus was partial to lever actions. (Wink)
Jesus sporting what I am certain is a Model 71 .348!
Normally, I would worry like crazy. I did not. I SHOULD have.
I normally would have.
The calibre... .348 Win. is now considered an 'exotic calibre.' AFTER I
placed the order, I learned I would need to learn to reload before I
even fired this rifle. I have resisted loading for decades. YOU guys
convinced me to re-load and that I would need to. I would never
have bought if I had known.
That would have been a mistake. Rifle Shooter Magazine calls this
"The Lovable Lever."
Hey! I can dream can't I?
I read like crazy and learned that I had a real legend on my hands.
This gun had a tradition spreading over decades and was uniquely
American. Alaskan guides of the past are known to have been fond
of the Winchester Model 71. The .348 Win is the largest cartridge
available in a lever action. It can take down anything in North
America while remaining an easy, balanced carry with open,
semi-buck horn sights. (Actually, the sights did vary. I believe the
originals were full buckhorns.
[A friendly amendment has been offered to my post: In 1899 the 50-110 was the most powerful cartridge in a lever gun but was considered obsolete when the 348 came out. Now most guides use a Marlin 45-70 for backup on dangerous game. That is what all my hunting friends use in Alaska. This cartridge eclipsed the .348 and became the largest lever action cartridge. The Alaskan .50 is also made today.]
Larry Potterfield with friend and two guides in the Yukon
"The Model 71 began as the John Browning-designed Model 1886, but
the beefy big-game rifle was updated and reintroduced as the Model 71
in 1935."- American Rifleman
Winchester ended Model 71 production in 1958. Only 47,254 were made.
POST EDIT NOTE: patocazador HAS POINTED OUT QUITE ACCURATELY THAT THE FOLLOWING WINCHESTER '73 INFORMATION IS ABOUT A DIFFERENT RIFLE. BELOW, HE SPELLS OUT THE MISTAKE AND PROVIDES NEW, GOOD INFORMATION ABOUT THE MISIDENTIFIED RIFLE IN QUESTION.
I WILL ALWAYS TRY TO DELIVER THE BEST MOST ACCURATE INFORMATION. HOWEVER, I WELCOME ACCURATE CORRECTIONS BASED ON FACT AND NOT OPINION.
AS IT IS INTERESTING, I INTEND TO LEAVE IT ALL.
I BELIEVE IN A PERSON WHO WILL OWN UP TO A MISTAKE. I HOPE YOU WILL, TOO. AND, ON THIS SITE? (LOL) AN ACCURATE CORRECTION WILL COME.
THANKS!
PS. JESUS IS LIKELY HOLDING A HENRY! :geek:
Winchester '73 was shot with Jimmy Stewart in 1950. It features
the Model 71 Winchester and an epic shooting match. The cast signed
a rifle and had one of the target coins embedded in the stock to give to
the expert marksman on the film: Herb Parsons.
Jimmy Stewart's Model 71 rifle from the film, signed and gifted to the shooting expert, Herb Parsons
It is fitting that Browning-so key to the Model 71's origins- would take up
production again in 1987. My rifle was built in 1987- in Japan. Morgan,
Utah and Montreal is stamped on my barrel. But, it was made in Japan.
Field & Stream calls the Model 71, "Winchester's Wonderful Model 71."
But, you need to love open sights? A scope mount is awkward. Ugly. Unholy.
With it's open sights and flat nosed bullets needed for tube-loading, the
Model 71 is only accurate to between 200-250 yards. This is Winchester's
last big bore lever rifle.
Today, I walked into my local FFL dealer and saw my new rifle for the first time.
I had worries for the first time. Not big ones, oddly. But, I was excited.
My rifle engraving up close. Yes, I intend to shoot it. I do not believe they should be virginal, just well cared for.
And, oh, my... The engraving I had seen in fairly blurry pics? Gold. No... real gold. And,
beautiful wood; heavily grained and rich walnut. True blue steel. The lever action
moved like music. It was SO beautiful that the guys in the shop gathered to gawk.
I do not blame them. They told me to say, 'Hi!' and want me to invite you to see them
in Florida.
The Armories boys in Oviedo, Fl. drooling over my Model 71 .348 Win. by Browning. They said for you to come by and visit!
(They are all modern, but friendly! http://www.thearmories.com)
(Now overt your eyes now if you offend easily!)
This young fella had a true reaction to the history he was holding in his hands. He might be one of us!
Handling this rifle for the first time was like handling a wet dream.
Goodwin's The Surprise hangs in the National Museum of Wildlife Art
My Lone Ranger, Rifleman, John Wayne, White Fang, adventurer, and cowboy dreams
all seem to be vested in this rifle. And, it is, by itself, an exquisite beauty. I can't wait
for you to see it in person.
Oh, and as for my gut? I paid less than 15% of what Cabela's Library says I should have.
This turned out to be a 1 of 3,000 in the world rifle. I believe the seller confused the value.
That store posted an assortment of unique rifles at the same time; I am guessing an estate
liquidation.
There are a LOT of different models to keep track of... :twisted:
I think I am done now. Please, let me know if you liked it. Please, let me know if I missed anything.
Thanks!