Got a Grail Gun, the Browning 71 came home

[David LaPell]

I have always wanted a Winchester 71 and over the years and either they happened to show up when I had no money or when the timing wasn't right. Lately the local gun shop had a hoard of them come in, two original Winchester 71 Deluxe Long tang rifles in near mint condition and three Browning 71's all new in the box, all owned by one guy. He is in his 70's and doesn't hunt or shoot anymore, the Model 71's Winchesters were his but he never did much with them. He bought the Browning 71's for each of his three sons but none of his kids wanted them so they all stayed in the boxes except for cleaning occasionally. I found the last Browning, this one a short rifle (carbine to some) still in the box for $925. I did some serious horse trading but ended up with the gun, and I do plan on using it. Another local gun shop had three boxes of Winchester factory ammo on the shelf so I snagged them all and I plan on getting dies and looking into bullets and maybe a mold to get back into casting my own again.

https://i.imgur.com/puQcOBK.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/PZgGnsl.jpg

[veeman]

Congrates! I like that watery flow in the grain on the stock. Just got a Browning 86 rifle myself a few weeks ago, really wish winter would go away.

[2shot]

Nice !!!
The M-71 is on my bucket list.

[kungfustyle]

Great looking gun. I've never seen this so I did some research http://www.leverguns.com/articles/taylor/model71.htm Very cool. https://www.midwayusa.com/product/535609/hornady-leverevolution-ammunition-348-winchester-200-grain-flex-tip-expanding-box-of-20 at $50 per box of ammo, yes, you need to get back into casting. Enjoy such a great find.

[sukivel]

Great looking gun. I've never seen this so I did some research http://www.leverguns.com/articles/taylor/model71.htm Very cool. https://www.midwayusa.com/product/535609/hornady-leverevolution-ammunition-348-winchester-200-grain-flex-tip-expanding-box-of-20 at $50 per box of ammo, yes, you need to get back into casting. Enjoy such a great find.

Nice info! I’ve heard of the .348, but not the rest. Truly great find!


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[gnoahhh]

Congrats! Everyone should scratch that itch when they get the chance.

I scratched my itch 29 years ago when I bought my Browning 71 short rifle. I shot it a bunch, got to wondering what all the fuss was about and got tired of getting beat up by it, so I sold it. Never had the urge to go back. If I had a mold for it and played with reduced loads it may have turned out differently.

[blackpowder man]

Very nice, I too either don’t have funds or good enough trade stuff when they are available. Or often the owners want way too much money..... that should be lots of fun!

[Bird]

Get a slip on butt pad or something similar to add some length to the stock, it makes it a lot more comfortable to shoot.

[Der Gebirgsjager]

That's a very nice rifle, Mr. LaPell. I can see why it would be in the "grail" category. Congratulations!

[Texas by God]

I always wanted a 71- in 33 WCF
or 45-70! Not the odd bullet, odd brass .348. I know, I'm weird.

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[AnthonyB]

I want one as well. I understand that my 356 Winchester will fill the same niche with cast but really want a M71. Congratulations on your find.
Tony

[DW475]

Congrats, that's one heck of a find!

[missionary5155]

Good morning
That is a fine looking rifle. Amazing how a feller will buy something like this and a son has no interest... I would have latch on it just because dad cared enough.
Mike in Peru

[missionary5155]

I always wanted a 71- in 33 WCF
or 45-70! Not the odd bullet, odd brass .348. I know, I'm weird.

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Hey Tex How about a 1886 Take Down in 45-70 and with a 33 Win barrel unit. One receiver with both those calibers.
Mike in Peru

[Texas by God]

That would be high cotton, Mike!

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[smkummer]

Get a slip on butt pad or something similar to add some length to the stock, it makes it a lot more comfortable to shoot.
Yep. And simply download to make it pleasurable to shoot.

[missionary5155]

Yep. And simply download to make it pleasurable to shoot.

That is what we do with our 33 Winchester. We tend to load a heavy for caliber cast in our rifles so with a 230-250 grainer 1850 fps is plenty to drive through corn crunchers. Maybe a big muley or elk would need more but a 250 pound bean eater are not tough to perforate.
Mike in Peru

[Jack Stanley]

Congrats on your find , always great to find what you've been searching after for years . I keep watching for a left hand Kimber in .22 magnum and while I was doing that I found a left hand Kimber chambered in .223 Remington . It was twenty years old and new in the box , who would have thought the rim fire magnum would be harder to find ?

Jack

[Winger Ed.]

Congrats. Its always good to see someone get what they want.