I went to a local pawn shop to sell a rifle and came away with a real nice Winchester Mod.71. It was made in 1937 and there's some wear on the bluing and a few dings in the stocks but the action is tight.
Should be a fun project.

Leo L.

I cannot tell you how many times over the last 50 years or so, I have almost bought either an original Mod 71 or one of the newer Browning 71's in 348.

That is one cool hunting lever action. I just never did. The 348 is a good hunting cartridge.

I finally found "my best" choice in a Winchester lever, an 1895 in 405 WCF. The fact that it is a take down, adds to its enjoyment for me...

Still, a Mod 71 is a Primo lever rifle... Especially an original.

Had an original while living in Alaska and sold lots of firearms when moved back to lower 48 and have missed it ever since. Replaced with close second, Browning 71 and to me is a first class hunting rifle. Plenty of power for about anything in NA within reasonable ranges. Would say you definitely have a "keeper."

Yes, it's a keeper. I've ordered reloading supplies and can't wait to shoot it.

If you want to really enjoy that rifle, without beating up either yourself...(or the rifle) consider working up some cast-bullet loads for it. I have a couple of go-to jacketed bullet loads for mine with the classic 200gn Hornady that I've used successfully on Whitetail. Otherwise....pretty much ALL I shoot are cast bullets simply to ENJOY the rifle.

Don,

I have a mold on order from BACO for a 250 grain bullet.
Can you recommend a cast bullet load?

OK Leo,here goes:
I shoot a cast bullet from an old IDEAL mould my Dad used(I like the "connection" I feel when casting bullets from "Dad's mould").
It has a hollow-point feature. Finished bullets run 184 +/- 0.5 grains. What I'm shooting won't help you much with your 250, but I have some older manuals and am pleased to share with you what they suggest.
The 43rd Edition of the Lyman Manual ( copyright 1964) suggests that for their 250 gn. bullet for the .348,lyman mould #350457 which is a gas-check, Loverin design bullet, the following loads are suggested:
2400.....22.0 gns. ....1368 fps
4759.....20.0 gns. ....1197 fps
4198.....25.0 gns. ....1320 fps
3031.....40.0 gns. ....1610 fps.
4227.....24.0 gns. ....1365 fps.
Hope this helps.

Don,

Yes it does. Thanks much.

Leo