Well, I finished the "Scout" type scope base I designed. It is all steel, has an integral dovetail that fits the barrel dovetail and a side section that lays flat against the receiver and is held by two screws. When I installed it and the Nikon EER scope onto the old pre-war model 71 Winchester .348 cal rifle, I was very pleased that it looked "natural", well as much as a lever gun can, anyway. The scope sits right over the barrel and completely forward of the bolt so that the upward thrown empties clear the rifle unscathed.
Once installed on the rifle, I used a laser bore sighter to see where the newly mounted scope was pointing. To my surprise, it was looking 3 inches high and 2 inches left when viewing my test target 25 yards distant.
A few sighter shots proved that it really was that close, and a few tweaks brought it to the 25 yard POI that I desired.
I was shooting 200 grain Hornadys at 1970 fps with SR4751 powder. Those sighters tell me that the load/bullet combination will be OK for practice and plinking, but not for hunting.
Anyone have any surplus Barnes X monolithics they would be willing to sell. I believe I could ration one or two boxes and make them last more than 10 years.
By the way, I have pictures but couldn't get them to load. The scope base can be used with Conetrol or Weaver stu type rings. The scope base sits only 1/4 inch above the barrel.
I also have the scope base design I will email (free) to anyone that wants it.
Thanks,
Bob Nisbet
Sr. Technology Protection Specialist
Supporting Army Aviation
Redstone Arsenal, AL 35898
Office: 256-876-1939
Cell: 256-797-4152

Hey Bob,
I'm a huge fan of the M-71. I have a Winchester Std. model with peep sight that works good enough to make the "minute-of-deer" standard. Never tried, (or had to try) a shot over 100yds. My "aging eyes" aren't as big an issue down this way as most of my hunting is in pretty thick stuff where relatively close shots are the norm. I use a "scout mount" 2x scope on my Marlin 45/70 Guide gun, and LOVE that set-up. I can't bring myself to drill my Winchester, but I could do it to a Browning 71 copy. To that end, I would appreciate a copy of your design drawing. Email : guido4198@yahoo.com. I've never tried the Barnes bullets in my 71. Sorry. I shoot a lot of cast in mine, at pretty mild levels just for plinking fun.
Thanks...
Don

I'm interested as well. I have a Browning '71. Send to rgcook.cook@gmail.com

Thanks

Took the 71 out to the farm this weekend and checked out some 200 grain Hornady loads in front of Reloader 19 giving about 2400 fps.
They were very accurate compared to the slow SR powder loads. The SR loads had a spread of about 4 inches and shot about 5 inches lower than the Reloader ones.
The Reloader 19 gave me 1-1/4 inch groups at 100 yards, and at the same time proved the scope setup would hold tight under recoil.
Only downside, I was shooting with a tee shirt. Ouch!! Had to fold a towel to get a bit of padding between me and the steel butt plate.
Lovin the scoped 71 more each time I handle it.
Would love to reduce the trigger pull from its 4 Lbs to around 3 Lbs though.
Bob Nisbet