Winchester Model 71 (.348) Scope Mount
Awhile back, there was a Win Model 71 in .348 listed on this auction site. It had a scope mounted forward of the top ejection port. I want to get ahold of one of these mounting systems. Does anybody know of such a thing or a company that might make it?
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Why would you want to cut up one of these fine collectables? If you drill and tap the barrel for a "scout" type scope mount you will have lost any value that is in the rifle. If you "must" have a rifle with a scope , then sell the Model 71 to a collector and buy something else that you can put a scope on, you will have plenty of money from the sale to do this.
Just my 2 cents worth.
Scout0 -
I agree largely with Iroquois Scout in that if I had a Model 71 in my hands, I would NEVER modify it. Sounds to me though, like you are trying to get a set-up LIKE the one you saw. The 348 is a good round, but is easily eclipsed by the venerable old 45-70 if it;'s loaded to modern pressures in a stout action. Why not get yourself a new Marlin 1895 rifle or Guide Gun? You should be able to get the gun well under $500 and it is able to take the AO (Ashley Outdoors) Scout mount. Buy yourself an extended eye relief scope and the package is complete. Total expenditure with all the aforementioned parts should be around $800 and you will have avoided the dreaded buggering of an expensive old classic! I don't want to dissuade you from doing something you really have your heart set on, but thought these were good points to bring up.
"When I cease learning...I'm dead"(Me)
"When I was 14 I used to marvel at how ignorant my old man was...by the time I was 21 I was truelly amazed at how much the old bugger had learned in the intervening 7 years!" Samuel Clemens
"History is written by winners"(Patton)
"You get a lot farther with a kind word and a gun than you do with a kind word alone!"(Al Capone)
"There is nothing lower than the human race...except the French" (Samuel Clemens)0 -
I completely concur with your remarks considering chopping up an old classic. This was my fathers deer gun for some 30 years or so. He had an old scope on it, so the left hand receiver is already drilled & tapped in 5 locations. I would never drill & tap the barrel of any gun, especially an old classic. I know this gun is worth well over $1K, but it is worth a whole lot more to me in sentimental value.
I may have to design & manufacture some type of mouting system out of angle stock.
I read somewhere that older guns like this may not hold up to current factory loads. Should I have a 'smith go through it thoroughly before I attempt to fire it?0 -
There are a couple of points to consider in this case:
1.) If the rifle already has five holes drilled in the left side of the receiver the value of this rifle as a collectable is already lost. Your estimated value of $1,000 is, to say the lest, very optimistic.
2.) As to the strength of the Model 71, let me say that it is one of the strongest lever action rifles ever made. I bought my first Model 71 in 1958 and I am still useing it as well as handloading for it. If your rifle has received any kind of care it will be safe to use. The .348 Winchester carteidge is a bit of overkill for deer, but, will do a fine job of it. Where this cartridge really shines is as a timber rifle for Elk and Moose. Present cartridges are only loaded with 200 grain bullets, but, if you handload 220 or 250 grain bullets the real potential of the cartridge can be realized. At the ranges that at which this rifle is normally used, a receiver mounted peep sight is of more use then a scope. Both Lyman and Williams make receiver sights for this rifle, just be sure to get the large aperture for the sight.
Hope that this is of some help to you.
Scout0 -
I may want to handload in the future...but I have never seen a set of reloading (dyes?) advertized in any magazine. Is there a source available? 0 -
My dies came from RCBS (www.rcbs.com). Or you can order them from Midway at www.midwayusa.com 0
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