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.