Happen to very much like the Ruger NO. 1' and 3's and have one going to rebarrel/fit for the 348Win.caliber. Gathered up pretty much a lifetime supply of bullets, brass, etc. for this caliber and have a Brng. '71/348 as well and like the caliber. Very fortunate to have local 'smith who does quality work on rebarrels and to do this is relatively painless cost wise and can say the "turnaround" time is excellent as well.
These Rugers are simple to modify and refit with extractor, but have not seen any such conversion and curious if anyone has built a Ruger NO.1 or 3 in this caliber. Any suggestions on barrel length or twist would be appreciated. Believe the 71 is a 12 twist, but other twists are available from my 'smith.

Thanks in advance.

martin

Ruger #1 chambered for the .348WCF? Great idea!
Befor a few years I was thinking about a .33WCF #1. The .338" bullet is more available. But the .348WCF have more power, I mean.

Martin

Martin,
I had given some thought to the 33WCF, but that 348 brass is hard enough to come by these days.
I think Winchester still makes a run of the 348 cartridges now and then, but it is certainly not low cost per box of 20 for loaded rounds. I was fortunate to make contact with a very nice fellow in I believe Tennessee that had a quantity of both factory rounds as well as a large collection of once fired brass.
Not that the std. cartridge needs any more power, but believe the Ruger NO. 1 would take some very stout loads if desired. The 71 is quite strong as well but no reason to abuse it. Just think it would be a very good combo and to have the 71 and a No.1 in same caliber intrigues me. I already have the combo of Browning 1886 in 45/70 and a custom Ruger No. 3 in 45/70. I load them both the same and plan on doing same with the 348 "pair." Are you aware of anyone in your part of the world with a 348 caliber rifle?? Just curious for it is not very popular here in the States compared to many other rounds.

Yea, the .348WCF is also very rare in Germany. In my life, I saw three or four M71 rifles. All made by Browning. There´s a special gun dealer for US-made guns, called "The duke". This gun store have same new Browning-made M71 rifles and carbines, not very expensive. Grade 1 and High Grade, with prices between 1650.- and 2350.-€.
http://www.theduke.de/shop_de/...e-grade-1_91343_1425
Befor a few years I reloaded 100 rounds for a friend, for his Browning M71 carbine. He installed a doctor dot-sight for driven boar hunting. I loaded the 200grs Hornady SP befor a charge of IMR-4350 powder. According our reloading supply dealer and Midway Germany .348WCF brass is available for ~60.-€/50pc.




Martin

Certainly an appropriate name for that gunshop,"duke" being associated with John Wayne and the levergun. Not to prolong the topic, but in studying the history of the Win. 71 there was a considerable battle within the Winchester executive ranks on the development of it for others wanted to go the bolt gun route and the "old school" folks insisted that such a move would damage the firm's reputation and a bolt gun was a definite step below Winchester's fame for quality firearms. Original 71's were basically hand built and of highest quality for the time, but as we all know the famed Model 70 Rifle won out and the rest is history as they say.

Hmm... I hope, I could follow your explainations, with my english.
But I mean it´s true. There´re not many other rifles, with this smooth action, like the M71 rifles. I have a Browning M1886, my first rifle as I was 18 years old. And I have also a Marlin M1895, but the only plus points are the easy cleaning and scope mounting.
An original Winchester M71 rifle I never saw in Germany. But I mean, the Winchester M71/86 and M95 rifles, have all very smooth actions. No bolt action rifle have this. Perhaps the excellent Sauer&Sohn S80/90 rifles. Hmmm.....


Martin

Could not agree more about the smoothness of the Win/Browning leverguns. I have the 71, 86, and 95, all Brownings, and also have had the various Marlins. Marlin is a fine gun, but falls short in the smoothness and overall quality of the Brownings. Negative as you mention is the struggle to mount optics on the Brownings, but to me that is not a detrement for I have shot peep sights in matches for so many years it just seems normal to me. 200yds is a long shot in my area for game and if I can see it I can generally make a hit. If I had been in the "executive suite" of Winchester back in the day, I would have voted for the leveguns for I feel they are the purest hunting rifles ever produced. One of these leverguns in a hunting camp is as good as it gets for me.

As to smoothness of a bolt gun, I have a Manlicher Shoenauer Mod.1952 full stock in mint condition and it does rival the actions of the Brownings. For a bolt gun, I hold it in as high esteem as the leverguns I have.

I'd do a 350 or 375 Alaskan (358-348 or 375-348, respectively)

450 Alaskan basic (cylindrical) brass is available from Starline Brass in Texas.

quote:

I have shot peep sights in matches

I like "iron sights", especial the peep sight too. Most of my longarms habe only iron, a tang sight or a vernier tang sight.

quote:

I'd do a 350 or 375 Alaskan (358-348 or 375-348, respectively)

450 Alaskan basic (cylindrical) brass is available from Starline Brass in Texas.

Wildcats are allways interesting. Especial the .450Alaskan. In Germany nearly impossible, with the bureaucracy in the proof houses. No CIP round, no proof sign.
And the .348WCF is an all american classic round, with nearly cheap brass, bullets and reloading dies.


Martin