Was the left side of the receiver of the 71 drilled and tapped for mounting a reciver sight from the factory, or would that have been done afterward? I'm picking up a 71 this weekend and it has a reciever sight (not the original bolt mounted sight) and I'm wondering if the fact that the sight is in place indicates that the gun has some non-factory holes. If it was drilled and tapped at the factory what sight(s) would have fit the factory holes? Or would a variety of aftermarket sights been made to fit the holes, rather than the holes being drilled for a specific receiver sight? I didn't notice the model of the receiver sight. After I pick it up this weekend I will be able to give more details. I won't be disappointed either way as I feel like I got it for a pretty good price whether the installation was done with factory holes or not.

TIA,
Bob

bobv, yes, M71's were drilled for receiver sites. Some rear sights were in the bolt, but most were Lyman 66's, mounted on the left side. I've seen other peep sights mounted on 71's, but those, I am sure, were not original.

Barnes still makes a 250 grain bullet, as does Hawk, so load 'em up and go hunting. A .30-30 the 71 ain't, it has enough recoil to make your eyes cross, especially with that steel but plate.

Congrats on the "new" elk gun.

[ 10-09-2003, 06:58: Message edited by: packrat ]

bobv

If you have 'open sight eyes' the 71 is a wonderful rifle and not as bad a recoiler as the writers would have you believe. I have a mod 71 with the Lyman peep and it is a great saddle gun for bigger animals including bears.

Unfortunately I have a harder time seeing the open sights as my eyes change so I am putting together a BLR in 9.3x62 that I can mount a low powered scope on.

Howdy all,

A friend just told me of two "original" Winchester 71's for sale at the Sports Lure in Buffalo, WY. He said they were like brand new with tags. No boxes, but looked like they were just taken out of the boxes.

$2500.00 a piece. That stings a little.

I have a standard Win 71 I bought 4 years ago or so and have really enjoyed using it for deer hunting. I load the 200gr Hornady's as that is all I feel I would need for WI whitetails and it doesn't disappoint. Really a classic woods gun and I think it would be the last one I would ever sell.

The gun is pretty accurate for such a large lever action, easily going into 2 MOA with the standard open sights. So far, every season I have carried it into the woods, it has put at least one deer down too.

Have fun with the rifle, they're a blast to hunt with!

The 71 is a beatifull gun and I have used them a little on deer and one elk...

For a pure saddle gun with a scope I like the Savage Mod 99F in .308, some might like the .358. I also liked the .284 in that gun for horseback hunting...Thats the way I like to hunt Mule Deer and never get off the horse except to shoot....Mostly in the simi arid SW of New Mexico and Texas, but Southern Idaho offers some great horseback hunting for mule deer in units 54 and 55.....