I've Always Been a .348 Fan...

[Jeff Higgins]

Of a different kind. I've lusted after a Model 71 Winchester in .348 Winchester caliber since I first saw one in the early 1980's. I soon acquired a late '40's example, but was immediately disappointed with it. It had seen some hard use and was pretty much "used up".

Fast forward to just a few years ago, and another one kind of fell into my lap. This time a modern Miroku built version, which really put me off at first - until I first handled it, then finally shot it.



The .348 can probably be called a "commercial failure". Introduced in just one rifle in the late '30's, it was out of production by the mid '50's. It's about the most oddball caliber Winchester, who are known for oddball calibers, ever made.

No other cartridge has ever fired .348" diameter bullets. Why they didn't just go with .358" diameter, which was already in use in numerous chamberings, is anyone's guess. Why they used such an oddball case - it's a necked down .50-110 Express, is anyone's guess. That choice limited the round to their 1886 lever action, which was modified into the new Model 71 just for this cartridge.

It's an interesting idea, for sure. It will launch 200 grain bullets at the same velocity as the .30-'06 will. It should, theoretically, shoot just about as flat, and it does. The problem is, being a top ejecting rifle, it's just about impossible to scope a Model 71, leaving it in an odd quandary - shoots as flat as the '06, but is restricted to iron sights. Not many hunters wanted that, apparently. Here it is, alongside the venerable '06, both loaded with 200 grain bullets:



Funny how it all worked out, though. The fact that the Model 71 has become one of the most sought after, venerable lever guns of all time is what finally enticed Winchester to make more of them. Unfortunately, no one has decided to make ammo in this caliber - it remains a handloading only proposition. Fortunately, brass and bullets are now readily available again, so that really isn't a problem.

I posted a video awhile back featuring a Canadian hunter waxing poetic over his Model 71 and the .348 Winchester cartridge. In short, he identified it as Winchester's best effort ever. It has that undefinable "something" about it - fantastic balance, wonderful ergonomics, and a nice habit of having the sights lined up the instant it comes up on the shoulder. I couldn't agree with him more - in all of my rifles, there is that intangible "goodness" to this one that is lacking in most of the others. Oh, they are all fine rifles, but this one just kind of stands apart. I'm glad I finally wound up with a good one.

[Racerbvd]

We have a bin of oddball bullets at the shop, I can check on what is there if you like.

[Jeff Higgins]

Thanks Byron, that would be cool.

I saw some .220 Swift stuff in some of your photos, another Winchester oddball. Interestingly, it was developed at about the same time as the .348, and died just a few years later than the .348. Another "commercial failure" that has huge respect today, with a substantial cult following. And, oddly enough (or then again, probably not...) another one of my favorites. I even had a custom Ruger #1 built in that chambering, with a 28" Lilja barrel. Long range varmint zapper supreme... Here it is, with a loaded round shown next to the .223 for comparison. My load just breaks 3,800 fps with a 60 grain Hornady V-Max.

[HardDrive]

What will this round do that a .308 can't?

[KFC911]

Originally Posted by HardDrive

What will this round do that a .308 can't?

I'm guessing....safe for a hairless palm owner's lever action?

[Jeff Higgins]

Originally Posted by HardDrive

What will this round do that a .308 can't?

Launch a 200 grain bullet at 2,600 fps. The best the .308 can do is about 2,400 fps. Or, for very heavy game, launch a 250 grain bullet at about 2,300 fps.

It's really as much (probably more) about the rifle as the cartridge, though. That's where the "intangibles" come in. The Model 71 has a balance, a liveliness to it that belies its darn near nine pound weight. The way that, for many people, it just snaps to the shoulder and the sights are seemingly effortlessly aligned with one another and the target. The rapidity of repeat shots, if necessary, cannot be matched by any bolt gun. This all adds up into what is a wonderful hunting rifle, a field rifle, one that is meant to be used far away from the comforts of a rifle range. Far too many modern "hunting" rifles are really "range" rifles that are designed to excel in the environment in which they are most used - the rifle range. The Model 71 is anything but.

And finally, the fit and finish definitely represent some of the best I have ever seen from Winchester, be it an original vintage Model 71 or one of the last run of modern ones. And the action - they seem to have taken particular care with the action. As you know, I'm kind of a lever gun fan, and have more than a few. This is the smoothest one I own.

Too bad you're not around here anymore. I would love to introduce you. I think you would really like the Model 71.

[Jeff Higgins]

Originally Posted by KC911

I'm guessing....safe for a hairless palm owner's lever action?

Absolutely - no way to scope this one, thereby saving the heathens from themselves...