Avatar
Search
Forum Scope




Match



Forum Options



Minimum search word length is 3 characters - maximum search word length is 84 characters
Lost password?
sp_Feed sp_PrintTopic sp_TopicIcon
Winchester model 71 function question
sp_NewTopic Add Topic
Avatar
Member
WACA Guest
Forum Posts: 14
Member Since:
April 6, 2022
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
1
April 16, 2022 - 5:54 pm
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_QuotePost

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

Better to be judged by twelve than carried by six.

Grumpy old man with a gun......Do Not Touch.

Avatar
Member
WACA Member
Forum Posts: 4597
Member Since:
March 31, 2009
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
2
April 16, 2022 - 9:54 pm
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_QuotePost

Just a guess but sticky cases could mean too much pressure?

Avatar
Northern edge of the D/FW Metromess
Member
WACA Member
Forum Posts: 5034
Member Since:
November 7, 2015
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
3
April 16, 2022 - 10:18 pm
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_QuotePost

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

Life Member TSRA, Endowment Member NRA
BBHC Member, TGCA Member
Smokeless powder is a passing fad! -Steve Garbe
I hate rude behavior in a man. I won't tolerate it. -Woodrow F. Call, Lonesome Dove
Some of my favorite recipes start out with a handful of depleted counterbalance devices.-TXGunNut
Presbyopia be damned, I'm going to shoot this thing! -TXGunNut
Avatar
Member
WACA Guest
Forum Posts: 14
Member Since:
April 6, 2022
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
4
April 16, 2022 - 10:51 pm
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_QuotePost

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. 

Better to be judged by twelve than carried by six.

Grumpy old man with a gun......Do Not Touch.

Avatar
Northern edge of the D/FW Metromess
Member
WACA Member
Forum Posts: 5034
Member Since:
November 7, 2015
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
5
April 16, 2022 - 11:03 pm
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_QuotePost

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

Life Member TSRA, Endowment Member NRA
BBHC Member, TGCA Member
Smokeless powder is a passing fad! -Steve Garbe
I hate rude behavior in a man. I won't tolerate it. -Woodrow F. Call, Lonesome Dove
Some of my favorite recipes start out with a handful of depleted counterbalance devices.-TXGunNut
Presbyopia be damned, I'm going to shoot this thing! -TXGunNut
Avatar
Member
WACA Guest
Forum Posts: 837
Member Since:
March 23, 2010
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
6
April 17, 2022 - 12:09 pm
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_EditHistory sp_QuotePost

 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

Forum Timezone: UTC 0
Most Users Ever Online: 778
Currently Online:
Guest(s) 171
Currently Browsing this Page:
1 Guest(s)
Top Posters:
clarence: 6364
TXGunNut: 5034
Chuck: 4597
1873man: 4322
steve004: 4250
Big Larry: 2341
twobit: 2295
mrcvs: 1726
TR: 1722
Forum Stats:
Groups: 1
Forums: 17
Topics: 12754
Posts: 111097

 

Member Stats:
Guest Posters: 1763
Members: 8850
Moderators: 4
Admins: 3
Navigation