Author Topic: Inaccurate Browning 71? (Read 723 times)

spurgon · « **on:** February 03, 2005, 12:15:23 PM »

I'm about to buy a Browning 71 whose accuracy doesn't sound too good. My question is what can I do to improve the accuracy of this rifle? The barrel has already been recrowned. He said that accracy was not improved. The rifle shoots 4-6" groups at 100 yards. What can be done to correct the rifle's accurracy? Is a rebarreling the safest bet? Isn't this supposed to be the greatest lever action ever made?
thanks

Kurt · « **Reply #1 on:** February 03, 2005, 09:14:49 PM »

Spurgon, We need a little more info. Was that open sights, peep or scoped. What caliber, what load. I had one of those in 348 win carbine. It was a super shooter and among the most well build and finely machined examples of human workmanship that I have ever seen. It had a "heavy" near 6lb trigger but I managed to carfully squeeze out a couple groups in the 2 inch range at 100yds. That was with a Williams peep and a good rest. I was shooting a 200gr Hornady interlock with a full case of IMR 4831.

Dand · « **Reply #2 on:** February 03, 2005, 11:00:11 PM »

for guys used to shooting scoped bolt rifles, the m71 or many other lever actions can be a challenge - they sure are for me. But if its still in 348 cal you might be able to improve things with some load development, a peep sight and - I'm about to instally a Marble's sourdough front sight and try that.

In Ken Water's Pet Loads, he talks about how his gunsmith pal Seely Masker [pardon my spelling] did some sort of tune up on an original M71 that helped a lot. Too bad he doesn't say what but I'd consider looking at the forearm and barrel band fit. Also helps to let the gun cool between shots. Brush Buster has been getting good results with Rel 19. I have been happy with some H 4831 loads - even got 3 shots touching at 75 yds - mostly a lucky accident. I'm happy with 2 inches at 75 - all this with an original M71. I get a lot of 3 inch groups too and bad loads can go all over the page.

I'm also considering getting a replacement butt stock and installing a recoil pad. That would help. On a Browning that you might not be concerned about collector value you might put a pad on the stock.

HTH

JHW · « **Reply #3 on:** February 27, 2005, 02:32:16 AM »

Another place to get information is Big Bore Rifles and Cartridges from Wolfe Publishing Co. Dave Scovill did an article on the Browning in 348 WCF and had very good results. I have seen the book is still for sale but do not remember where I saw it. JHW.