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Winchester model 71 function question
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April 16, 2022 - 5:54 pm
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Just bought my first model 71 and shot it for the first time yesterday with Leverloution factory ammo , now I have a question. Every time I fire it the locking bolts drop and the lever opens slightly ( 1/8″ ? ) . Is this normal ? Some cases seem to be slightly sticky . It’s a long tang 1936 standard with bolt peep and seems to be in good excellent condition other than an older re-blue . I don’t collect and didn’t pay collector price so the refinish is not an issue to me . Thankfully the stock is not cut and has the correct steel plate and there are no extra holes. Thanks for any help you can give.

Eddie

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April 16, 2022 - 9:54 pm
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Just a guess but sticky cases could mean too much pressure?

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April 16, 2022 - 10:18 pm
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Chuck said
Just a guess but sticky cases could mean too much pressure?  

That along with the bolt opening is a bit concerning. In normal times I’d recommend a different brand of ammo but that could be difficult today. Nothing against Hornady ammo but something doesn’t seem right. I’m assuming OP cleaned the rifle before firing it and made sure the chamber was free of excess oil.

 

Mike

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April 16, 2022 - 10:51 pm
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TXGunNut said

That along with the bolt opening is a bit concerning. In normal times I’d recommend a different brand of ammo but that could be difficult today. Nothing against Hornady ammo but something doesn’t seem right. I’m assuming OP cleaned the rifle before firing it and made sure the chamber was free of excess oil.

 

Mike  

Actually I haven’t cleaned it . The shop I got it from had already cleaned and oiled it when I got it . I’ll mop the chamber out good when I get back to the shop and see if that changes anything. Am not sold on the flex tip Leverloution ammo but that’s all they sell around here in .348 . I got the makins and the die set I ordered came today so I will roll some loads to try in it Monday morning . Was lucky enough to find 3 boxes of the Hornady 200 grain FN bullets and have most of the powders normally used in .348 so will try some mid range loads and see what happens . Thanks, hopefully the oil is the issue. 

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April 16, 2022 - 11:03 pm
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Edward Southgate said

Actually I haven’t cleaned it . The shop I got it from had already cleaned and oiled it when I got it . I’ll mop the chamber out good when I get back to the shop and see if that changes anything. Am not sold on the flex tip Leverloution ammo but that’s all they sell around here in .348 . I got the makins and the die set I ordered came today so I will roll some loads to try in it Monday morning . Was lucky enough to find 3 boxes of the Hornady 200 grain FN bullets and have most of the powders normally used in .348 so will try some mid range loads and see what happens . Thanks, hopefully the oil is the issue.   

Drying the chamber may help. A good coat of oil is good for storage but not so good for high pressure cartridges. I’m a fan of Hornady bullets and the LR concept but quite honestly was not aware they loaded for the 348. My loads are only a bit under the factory loads which tend to be near max. I don’t enjoy shooting this round but haven’t had much luck with reduced loads. Please keep us posted on your findings.

 

Mike

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April 17, 2022 - 12:09 pm
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 All very interesting.Looking forward to hearing more on the subject.In the past I had two Model 71 .348 rifles.Sold both of them,but should of kept one of them.At some point in time I will fix that selling mistake.SmileBagged two deer with one of those rifles.Smile

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