I am looking for info on early Winchester model 71's
chambered in 33 WCF. It is my understanding that there were some.
Thanks Don

Hello Eskimo 45,
Possible, but I have always understood the 71 was and is the only rifle with one cartridge, 348 Win. Never heard of the rifle being chambered in the 33, but Win. may have done one or two for experimental purposes?? Perhaps others can enlighten us on this deal.

Winchester produced a very few Model 71s in .45-70, but I have not seen evidence that any were made in .33 WCF. Or course, anything was possible with Winchester.

mike

This is straight from Ken Waters' Pet Loads:

"Except for experimental rifles, the 348 was the only cartridge for which the M71 was chambered."

You may be thinking of one of these experimental calibers. Which is too bad, the M71 is a heck of a levergun.

I didn't clarify my post to that effect, M1Garand. I was thinkin' and not typin'. Thanks for making that significant point concerning the 71 Winchester and it's experimental cartridge possibilities. :D

mike

I suppose if someone did have one of those experimental rifles lying around somewhere, they'd be worth a pretty penny considering what the 348's go for.....a 45-70 in the M71.. that's the stuff dreams are made of :D

The model 71 could be special ordered in 33 Win. during its first year of production. Used to have an 86 in 33. Good round. That M71 info came up in my research. Probably very rare. The 33 was very popular and a lot of people were upset with the new M71 so I guess Winchester decided to make a few.

Thanks everyone for your replys. I have a call into
Winchester about the M71 IN 33WCF, if I hear from
them I will post it.
THANKS AGAIN
Don {eskimo45}

Thanks everyone for your replys. I have a call into
Winchester about the M71 IN 33WCF, if I hear from
them I will post it.
THANKS AGAIN
Don {eskimo45}

I believe that the only documented 71 in .45-70 sold for something like 12K a few years back. I have not seen, or heard of, a 71 in .33WCF, but do know that many hunters sent their 1886s back to Winchester to have them converted to the new cartridge. I can't recall any issues with this work, either.

mike

Remington experimented with a lever action version of the 742 auto-loader for a time. I've seen a few photos but the actual rifles remain at Remington or were destroyed.

I'm guessing that any 71 Winchester in 33WCF remains at Winchester or was destroyed.
TR

There are a few Marlin 1895's out there in 33WCF, added one to my collection last year. Never heard of the 71 being available or factory modified to this cartridge untill this post. Sounds like one to grab if you ran across it.