Howdy all,

I've been reading a bit on the ,.348 WCF. Pretty interesting. Anyway, most of the articles reference "Alaskan brush hunting".

Well, I thought I'd check with you folks...
Many Alaskan hunters use, or agree with the use of a .348WCF?

Thanks
EMC2

I've always wondered about this too... What's the big deal about the 348 Win and AK? Here are some offerings from Buffalo Bore. I just listed the loads with the greatest muzzle energy, I know there are a lot of methods to determine the killing authority of a cartridge but I'd rather have one of the three BIG BORES where BIG BEARS are concerned. May be some of the AK guys will shed some light on this mystique...

Cartridge Bullet MV ME
348 Win 250 JSP 2250 2810
375 Win 255 JSP 1950 2044
444 Marlin 300 JFP 2150 3078
45-70 Govt 300 SGD 2350 3678
450 Marlin 405 JFN 1975 3507

Time
.348 - 1936
.375W- 1978
.444 - 1964
.45-70, beyond Springfield power in a commerial load - 10 years???
.450 - 2000

The .348 had a 32 year start, and if it works, don't fix it.

Bye
Jack

Time

I understand that Jack but the cartridge was only chambered in one factory offering, the Model 71 and the last rifle was built in 1958. Hunters didn't buy it back then as from '35 to '58 only 47,000 of them were produced. Folks with the bucks buy it now but I bet they don't hunt with it.

As far as facing the the AK bush, I think there is a lot better calibers (even leveractions) to do it with. Granted in 1935, it may have been the cat's meow compared with the 30-30 and 32 Special but no more.

I'll bet that .348 Win brass would have gone out of production years ago, if it wasn't for the custom revolver shooters who needed it for the .500 Linebaugh cartridges and the like. Wouldn't be surprised if there are as many of those being used in the field, as original Win 71s.

I remember reading somewhere that Winchester brought the 88 chambered in 358 Win out in '55 as a replacement for the 71 which was just too costly to produce. This is just something I remember. I'm the type of fellow that if I saw either of these rifles I would pretty much buy them on the spot and make the necessary adjustments ($$$) somewhere else! Of course, they both would be out there chasing hogs!

I do know of one 71 a fellow has in my neck of the woods. He has owned it since the late 60's or early '70s. He had ordered and purchased an original, new, 444 and down the road traded that rifle for the 348. He has never hunted the rifle. That, is a shame.

Isn't the .348 the basis for the .450 and .50 Alaskan? Now that would be a pretty good choice, despite the fact that it is a fairly heavy/large rifle. I think the first .50 Alaskan was built on a 1886, but I'm not too sure. I'm pretty sure it was built on the 71 by one prominent smith of the day though.

The .450 was good for 2100 with a 400gr jacketed bullet..that's nothing to sneeze at. The guy who "invented" the cartridge claims he never recovered a bullet from a griz or moose, no matter the angle of the shot.

You can still pick one of the limited run Browning Model 71 's in .348 win. on gunsamerica.com . Go to the Browning Rfle section, their running in the 900.00 to 1200.00 dollor range depending on grade. I have a Grade 1 with a 24" bbl. that shoots great ! Reload with 200 gr. Hornady FP bullets

About 3 weeks ago I went to a bankrupcy auction and picked up a Browning Mod 71. It was in a large collection and looks like it was only fired a few times and that was it. It looks brand new and I think I got pretty much a steal at $440. Brass is a little hard to find but I have 50 and this is one rifle that will be going out to hunt!

Yup - you made a heck of a buy! :D

Howdy all,

I've been reading a bit on the ,.348 WCF. Pretty interesting. Anyway, most of the articles reference "Alaskan brush hunting".

Well, I thought I'd check with you folks...
Many Alaskan hunters use, or agree with the use of a .348WCF?

Thanks
EMC2

If you plan on hunting the big bears take a 338 Win mag, 8mm Rem mag, 358 Norma Mag, 375 H&H, Weatherby, 375 Rum or one of the 416's with a well constructed bullet. Like Alayeska once said you won't see your guide carrying a 348.

If your planning on going undergunned be sure to sprinkle some salt and pepper on you before the hunt. Sometimes those big browns like a little seasoning.

All kidding aside the 348 is not medicine for an animal higher on the food chain than you. Folks do die hunting this animal and I for one don't want to make any headlines where I'm the featured deceased in the article.

I shoot the above mentioned 8mm Mag with 220 grain bullets and of the few Browns I killed with it I consider it at the bottom of the brown bear list of acceptable guns.

For Moose and caribou the 348 would be OK.