Browning71: Short Throat?

[Gun Geezer]

Having recently acquired a Browning 71 In 348 Win, I am working up reload info to get started.

I have read in several places that the Browning 71 has a shorter throat than the original Win 71. It is even noted by some lead bullet makers their bullet cannot be used in the B71 for that reason. The LBT 250 gr bullet is one example.

Is there anyway to KNOW that any particular 250 gr bullet would or would not work due to this "short throat" issue? Hate to buy a box and find out it won't work.

Similar question: Is it assured that all FACTORY 348 Win ammo, presumably made to SAMMI specs, is not too long for my Browning 71?

 

[notaglockfanboy]

Take a previously fired case, slightly dent the case mouth so it will hold the bullet and chamber it. Then measure it and see how deep or shallow the throat is. Different bullets will have a different ogive so you will have to check different brands/weights to see if they will work. If it indeed does have a shallow throat, you could run into pressure problems when seating bullets too deep in the case when trying to load for that rifle. Or you could make a chamber cast of your rifle with Cerrosafe. That will give you a exact cast of your rifle to reference.

 

[Gun Geezer]

Thanks for the info.

Checking the bullet after I bought it is what I would like to avoid. Anyway to know if a bullet would work BEFORE I bought a box?

Also, wouldn't the pressure problem occur if I left the bullet too far out of the case rather than too deep into the case?

Not being a wiseguy, just asking cause I don't know.

 

[Blue68f100]

The only real way would be to cast your chamber. The measure it, compare to specs.

It's best to use a bullet since all have a slightly different profile. May want to post on the PIF thread and maybe someone will send you a few bullets to try. Call the mfg of the ones your thinking about using, they may sent you a sample pack.

 

[Gun Geezer]

All good. Thanks.

 

[zb338]

If you are willing to part with some bucks, a good gunsmith could
throat your barrel any way you want it.

Zeke

 

[Laphroaig]

I'd bet that factory Winchester ammo works. If you have some factory ammo, color up the ogive with a sharpie and carefully chamber a round. No marks means you're good to go. Step 2 would be to pull a round and do what was suggested in post #2 with the bullet seated as long as possible. Then you'd have a baseline with a factory jacketed bullet.

Congrats on your classic firearm, even if it is a reproduction. My dad had one when I was a kid. Shooting it was a big step for me towards manhood! He sold it when his eyes went south, and I always wanted to replace it, especially when he was still alive. I never ran across the right deal and that rifle has become very collectable.

Laphroaig

 

[Gun Geezer]

OK. Well, somebody suggested splitting one side of a case neck, inserting a bullet, and leaving it long. Then gently cycling it through the action with the bullet in question.

It works. Got the same "length" 3 times in a row.

Thanks for the input. I have another newbie question to post now.

 

[Laphroaig]

So is it short?

Laphroaig

 

[joem1945]

You could buy a Stoney Point gauge to use. Then you will be able to measure what bullet you want to use and get the OAL.

 

[Gun Geezer]

Sorry, but don't know how long a Win 71 throat is or even how long the throat on a Browning 71 is supposed to be.

All I know for sure is that with a Hornady #3410 200 gr flat point, the throat is plenty long.