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February 11, 2026
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Hi everyone, I’m a newbie on the sight. I have a 1936 Model 71 in excellent condition, it has an original peep mounted on the action I believe its called a 98A but not sure. My dad passed and this was one of his treasures. I will be 64 this month and know he has owned it before I was born. So here is my question. I have a pretty good shot at being drawn for Elk this year in Az and in honor of dad I am using his 71 for my hunts. So are there other apertures available for this sight? This is a large but would like to have an option of a medium or small.
Thanks, Mike
November 7, 2015
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Have you tried shooting it? I believe the reason they are commonly missing is that some folks prefer the large “ghost ring” aperture for some hunting situations. In other cases the aperture is taken out for a low-light situation and misplaced. And sometimes the aperture is too small for aging eyes but that is more often the case with target rifles.
If you decide to replace it I believe Midway or Brownell’s carries them.
Mike
January 20, 2023
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You have come to the right place. In short, the 98A bolt peep on your Model 71 accepts any aperture that has an attachment screw that is 7/32″ x 40 TPI. That is an industry standard size and all but a few apertures made by Lyman, Redfield, Marble’s, and Williams will fit.
You need to watch out for aperture disks so large in diameter they would be obstructed by the bolt. Otherwise, choose freely. I believe Williams and Marble’s will sell you new ones online, singly or maybe in a pack.
Don’t be afraid to drill a new one out to suit you. Leave the original Winchester alone and keep it safe.
- Bill
WACA # 65205; life member, NRA; member, TGCA; member, TSRA; amateur preservationist
"I have seen wicked men and fools, a great many of both, and I believe they both get paid in the end, but the fools first." -- David Balfour, narrator and protagonist of the novel, Kidnapped, by Robert Louis Stevenson.
February 11, 2026
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Thank you, that’s Great information and I truly appreciate it. Always safe…Im glad I found this site.
September 19, 2014
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Mike (Kenpo5), Before you use it for elk, please try shooting using the sight under low light conditions. I think you will find you will prefer (need?) the larger aperture for likely low level of lighting in dark terrain conditions. Small apertures work better on the range, in my opinion (but I am also a decade older) Tim
August 27, 2014
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TXGunNut said
Have you tried shooting it? I believe the reason they are commonly missing is that some folks prefer the large “ghost ring” aperture for some hunting situations. In other cases the aperture is taken out for a low-light situation and misplaced. And sometimes the aperture is too small for aging eyes but that is more often the case with target rifles.
If you decide to replace it I believe Midway or Brownell’s carries them.
Mike
+1 on the ‘Ghost Ring’ (no aperture) for most hunting situations
The human eye will automatically focus the target in the larger center opening of the ghost ring
“If you can’t convince them, confuse them”
President Harry S. Truman
February 11, 2026
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Thank you again and yes I have shot it , love the way it shoots and I agree with you about the aperture for hunting. I am working up some loads and mainly want to get it on there to get a little more precision at the range. When i am hunting it will be open with the ghost ring.
I really appreciate all your help
January 20, 2023
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+ another 1 on the ghost ring. I’m older than dirt with almost another Decade on Tim.
But twenty years ago I decided to put a scoped 250-3000 Savage aside and take up a 1955 shortwood Model 94 somebody’s widow had consigned because “guns scared her.” I was so happy to have relieved her fear, I called the late Gary Fellers up and bought a nice Redfield 70 EH for it. Somebody had put in a Williams “night” aperture, which has a bright brass ring around the large hole, to gather light.
On a late December evening near the Solstice, what I took to be the tender young Whitetail doe I was looking for stepped out of the brush and minced across the clearing about 40 yards away. Texas shooting light ends a half hour past Sunset and in 5 or 10 minutes we’d be there. When she paused, I had no trouble placing the shot right behind her foreleg, just over her heart.
It was so dark I couldn’t see the buttons on the little buck’s head. I had to field dress him by flashlight.
I since have tried removing the aperture at the range and could still manage to keep all my 100 yard shots inside a coffee can lid. The carbine went to Tennessee for somebody else to enjoy but with its original irons in place. I still have the Redfield on a Model 64.
Like Tim and Ted say, before you go Elk hunting, please schedule an evening range session. For my money, anything smaller than .125″ would be a mistake and larger than that is better. I mean, how small an Elk are we talking about?
- Bill
WACA # 65205; life member, NRA; member, TGCA; member, TSRA; amateur preservationist
"I have seen wicked men and fools, a great many of both, and I believe they both get paid in the end, but the fools first." -- David Balfour, narrator and protagonist of the novel, Kidnapped, by Robert Louis Stevenson.
February 11, 2026
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Thanks Bill, what a great story and thank you for sharing. I totally agree with you and will be using the 71 with just the open ring while hunting, I mentioned above that I am working up some hunting loads and mainly going to use the aperture just for a more precise aiming point at the range. Pop had this 71 since before I was born and I’m 64 so have shot it a few times haha, had I known it would be so hard and expensive to secure ammo and loading components I would have saved some of those 150 grainers. As luck would have it I have found a few here and there. I have loaded some Hornady 200 gr FP and have some Leverevolution 200 FTX and found some Speer 180 gr that I will load up so i will have some Elk rounds ready should I get drawn.
Mike
January 20, 2023
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Mike, do the LeverRevolution bullets feed satisfactorily through your M71? If they are made in a 150 grain weight, I’d be very interested to know what their improved BC would do for that weight.
- Bill
WACA # 65205; life member, NRA; member, TGCA; member, TSRA; amateur preservationist
"I have seen wicked men and fools, a great many of both, and I believe they both get paid in the end, but the fools first." -- David Balfour, narrator and protagonist of the novel, Kidnapped, by Robert Louis Stevenson.
February 11, 2026
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Hey Bill,
I will let you know, I haven’t shot them yet. I have used them in the past in my other lever guns and they were fine. Unfortunately, in .348 they only make the 200 gr. now.
I did score some Speer 180 gr. that in going to load up and Hammer bullets make a 157 gr. that I want to try as well.
Mike
January 20, 2023
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Mike, Sounds good. If the 200 grain Hornady LR stuff feeds well, it could turn the 348 into serious competition for the 338 WM, subject to pressure limits of the action.
My BLR is a 358 WCF, a cartridge design intended by WRA to replicate and modernize the 348 in a hammerless lever action that could be scoped. Didn’t sell but it was a great idea. Spitzer bullets turn the 358 into a 300 yard round and would surely gain some yardage in the 348 — beyond my field accuracy skills.
Keep those range reports coming!
Bill
- Bill
WACA # 65205; life member, NRA; member, TGCA; member, TSRA; amateur preservationist
"I have seen wicked men and fools, a great many of both, and I believe they both get paid in the end, but the fools first." -- David Balfour, narrator and protagonist of the novel, Kidnapped, by Robert Louis Stevenson.
February 11, 2026
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Will do Bill.
I hope to get some of these 180 gr Speer loaded up this weekend and then range time soon. I did cycle those FTX thru the gun with no issue.
I will have several loads to choose from, original 200 gr Silver tips, original 200 gr FP, 180 gr Speer reloads, 200gr FP Hornady reloads, 220gr Barnes reloads and 200 gr Hornady FTX factory loads oh and some HSM 200 gr. It will be fun!
Mike
January 20, 2023
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Don’t forget your PAST shoulder pad.
- Bill
WACA # 65205; life member, NRA; member, TGCA; member, TSRA; amateur preservationist
"I have seen wicked men and fools, a great many of both, and I believe they both get paid in the end, but the fools first." -- David Balfour, narrator and protagonist of the novel, Kidnapped, by Robert Louis Stevenson.
November 7, 2015
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Zebulon said
Don’t forget your PAST shoulder pad.
The 71 is why I decided my aging PAST pad needed to be upgraded to their magnum model. Could also come in handy for locating loose roofing over the firing points.
Mike
February 11, 2026
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That’s a good call,
I haven’t used one in years, I better find where I put it haha
Mike
November 7, 2015
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Kenpo5 said
That’s a good call,
I haven’t used one in years, I better find where I put it haha
Mike
They get hard after awhile and aren’t near as helpful. May be time for a new one.
Mikene,
January 20, 2023
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Something to remember for when you’re older. “Gopher Baroque” loads can loosen or even separate artificial lenses, particularly the “accommodating” type, that replaced cataractous originals. You do not wish to do this.
- Bill
WACA # 65205; life member, NRA; member, TGCA; member, TSRA; amateur preservationist
"I have seen wicked men and fools, a great many of both, and I believe they both get paid in the end, but the fools first." -- David Balfour, narrator and protagonist of the novel, Kidnapped, by Robert Louis Stevenson.
February 17, 2022
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I maybe off here, usually am. But my understanding is that the 150 grain loads were kind of a flop in performance. These big 348’s seem to work best with the 200 grain RN. I actually shoot mine with 200 gr Silver tips and they don’t disappoint. Of course I don’t reload so all experience is with factory fodder.
When shooting these lovely ladies, remember they like to be held close and tight with good cheek weld. Much like a close dance with a lovely woman.
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