Winchester Model 71

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The Winchester Model 71 was a lever-action rifle introduced in 1936 and discontinued in 1958. It was chambered in the now almost-obsolete .348 Winchester round. It was also the only firearm that ever used that cartridge. The rifle and cartridge were very effective against any North American big game in heavy timber, including the great bears, if using the 250 grain bullet. It was once very popular for hunting in Alaska.

Cartridges of the World remarks that factory ammunition was available in 150, 200 and 250 grain weights. Only the 200 grain weight is still available in factory ammunition.

Browning made clones of this rifle in the 1980s. The Winchester and Browning versions showed very high degrees of craftsmanship.

Unfortunately, economics caused the rifle to be very expensive, and with less expensive lever action rifles in the .444 Marlin and .45-70 Government rounds, the .348 is destined to oblivion. Oddly enough, the .45-70 was born in 1873 and has far outlasted the .348. The .348 was also the only 34 caliber cartridge ever made by an American manufacturer, making it a little problematic for handloaders, as there was never a wide selection of 34 caliber bullets.

[edit] Sources

Cartridges of the World by F. Barnes