.348 Winchester

[DBateman]

Any of you fellows using a 348win ?

I have a Mod 71 and its one of my favourite rifles I only have 500 or so rounds thru it and thus far have only loaded 200gr Hornady interlocks I have ordered 100 Woodleigh 250gr to try.

I've only shot half a dozen or so pigs with it but all have dropped like the've been hit with the hammer of Thor.

I'd like to use it on larger game once I get a load worked out for the 250gr.

Here she is, not the best pic I'll try and get a better one with something it's shot in it.



So what do you guys think of the 348 round ?

 

[enysse]

Well, I looked the round up and it was one respected rimmed cartridge. I personally think you can hunt anything with it except Cape buffalo and elephant.

 

[sestoppelman]

This was a favorite of my dads for years, killed elk and deer with it. It does hit hard and is well respected. Never had a reputation for stellar accuracy but if it hits vitals its all over. I have owned a couple myself and sort of looking for one again. Yours a Win or a Browning?

 

[DBateman]

Thanks for the replies.

Mine is a Winchester serai No.306**

It was in pretty good condition when I got it, it still is but it has a few little marks on it here and there now just from normal use.

Dave.

 

[KMG Hunting Safaris]

Looks like a sweet rifle. What are the velocities with the 200gr'ers?

 

[DBateman]

I havent ran them thru a chronograph yet but factory ammo is supposed to be around 2520fps.

With the 250gr the factory ammo ran about 2300fps. ( I think )

I am not really interested in trying to hot rod this round I will just be staying around factory velocities.

 

[enysse]

When I looked at factory data they offered anything from a 150 grain bullet at 2780 ft/s (2750 ft-lbs) to a 250 grain bullet 2350 ft/s (3060 ft-lbs).

 

[moosemike]

My Great uncle carried a model 71 .348 for years for PA whitetail and black bear. He said he got tired of lugging the darn thing up and down mountains so he sold it and bought a trim Husqvarna 4100 Lightweight .30-06 which I still have.

 

[DBateman]

I am currently thinning out my gun collection because I have more than I can use.

The 348 is one that I am keeping for sure. But I have read a few time that you can hunt in Africa with a lever action.

Is there some kind of restriction for lever actions ? I know Africa is a big place.

I can't see why you couldn't hunt with a lever action provided it was of suitable caliber for the animal you're after.

If anyone is able to shed some light onto the subject of lever actions in Africa I would appreciate it.

 

[ikeda]

I've hunted in Namibia several times with lever actions. 1886 Winchesters in 45-70 and 33 Winchester. The 348's dad.
No problem at all, and lots of fun. The old lever actions bag includes Kudu, Eland, Hartebeest, Cheetah, Oryx, Springbok, and Warthog.

 

[sestoppelman]

Just got back from using a Win 1895 in .405 in RSA, no worries.

 

[DBateman]

Good to hear.

Winchester 86 and 95 in 405 no less those are some mighty fine guns.

Ikeda how do you find the 33win ? It is a round that sparked my interest some years ago but have yet to get my hands on one.

 

[sestoppelman]

My dad was always a big fan of levers and he loved the .33 Win. Not overly powerful but it would put down any and all plains game with a decent shot and a good bullet.

 

[Spooksar]

I have 3 an original a Browning and a new Winchester. I had the new Winchester ream to a Ackley improved to minimize the stretching of the case. I should also gain 150-200 FPS with a 200 grain bullet.

 

[DBateman]

Nice battery you've described there Spooksar.

Have you had a chance to use the AI version yet ?

How useful do you find the 348 round on your side of the world ? I'm guessing with three of them you're quite fond of the round.

 

[Spooksar]

I got the AI just before I went to Africa so just started playing with it. I hope to use it on a Elk this fall. The 348 is very popular for Elk with some of the people that like to use old lever guns. I collect Winchester and Savage lever guns, but I also use them for hunting around home.

 

[ikeda]

The 33 cal. seems to be the most "available" caliber in the 1886's.
Keep an eye peeled on Gunbroker or some other site and one should turn up.
Mine was a takedown, with 3/4 length magazine and pistol grip stock....very nice.
You can make brass from 45-70 and bullets are available.

 

[348 deer hunter]

How did your 348 AI shoot?

 

[lwaters]

I haven't used the 348 win. but have a 358 win in a BLR. It looks to have the same ballistics 2500fps for the 200gr. and 2300 for the 250. I load the nosler partition 225gr. to a little over 2400fps. I use it on black bear and deer in the brush and am planning to take it to Texas for hogs.

 

[flatwater bill]

Bateman...............that's a fine looking rifle, and appears to have the original butt plate. Many a genius cut that off to put on a big fat recoil pad. Nice to see one original. When I was a boy Win loaded all three bullet weights, 150, 200 and 250 grainers. But by the time I hunted with a 71, all I could get was the remaining loading which was the 200 grainer........the last to survive.
Hawk Precision in NJ has made some really nice bullets for this unusual diameter, including a 250 and 270 grainer. I think this latter bullet might make a buffalo/banteng killer.
Lastly, I have never heard of a restriction on lever guns in Africa. Hoping to take two Savage model 99's on "safari" this year...................FWB