BIG 50, 50-110 on a Model 71

[Bearskinner]

Not wanting to muddy the waters on the OP about his 50-100, I’ll start this build thread. I love lever guns, as most do, that’s why we’re here. I wanted a big bore 50 cal, that can Handel lots of power. The 1886 and 71 are extremely strong rifles, and some were originally built as a big 50. This is the route I am taking, after picking up a Browning 71 as a base donor gun.
The plan is to go from the 348 Winchester, to 50-100, that can cycle 50 Alaskan simply as well. Starline has 50AK and 50-110 brass, and the head size is the same. The 110 is .251 longer, so the chamber needs to be cut that much deeper. I also prefer shorter barrels, so I’ll have it cut back to a very handy 16.5”. Now thus is not a hunting rifle, as I only hunt with handguns. It’s just my vision of a play toy, in s large caliber. I’ll mostly shoot 500 grain heavies at 1000-1400 just because. Still plenty to hunt with. Just looking to create a fun gun. Here’s a couple pics of the B71 with stainless receiver. Also a comparison on a 50-110 with short bullet, and a 50AK with a long bullet.

[Bearskinner]

80840152-00C7-4C58-B38A-CBC19B5925EE.png

808F8EE2-BCE0-42E2-A589-1291669139C6.png

6CF70ABB-A9BC-4ABE-A934-15A3416164CE.png

[RIDERED350r]

And you happened to pic the absolutely stunning Browning 71 High Grade to boot! Very cool project Sir!

As an aside, I kind of cringe when I hear of vintage Winchester 71s being converted. Don't get me wrong, I don't fault people for doing what they like with their own rifle. It's just the history afficionado in me that appreciates those old classics as they are in 348WCF. There are only so many of them left.

And again, just my personal thought and in no way an indictment of your path. Myself, I'd want at least a 24" barrel so those mighty 50s can really flex their muscles and strut their stuff.

I look forward to seeing the progress on this build

[RIDERED350r]

Turnbull currently has a used Browning 71 High Grade listed for a bit cheaper than most that I see elsewhere.

https://www.turnbullrestoration.com/gun ... -log-8677/

[Bearskinner]

If I had a beautiful 80 year old m71, in 348, it would be very hard to alter. The Browning is a wonderfully made rifle, but a re creation, and such a well built strong action. The 71 (pistol grip) and 86 ( straight stock) are the perfect for this conversion. Still a classic round, in a classic rifle. Should be fun as heck to shoot!

[Streetstar]

Turnbull currently has a used Browning 71 High Grade listed for a bit cheaper than most that I see elsewhere.

https://www.turnbullrestoration.com/gun ... -log-8677/

that shouldnt last long unless the inflation just has people afraid to spend

[Bridger]

Beautiful rifle and a cool project. I’ve got a an original 71 and a Browning carbine and I have thought about converting it to 50AK myself.

Speaking of the high grade Browning, I thought that was regular steel that had been nickeled, not stainless steel?

[BenT]

I was looking at doing that conversion to a Browning 71. I was going to do a 50 Alaskan B&M. Instead of .510 bullets it uses .500. You have more bullet selection because of the 500 S&W uses .500 diameter bullets. My buddy was going to sell me his Browning , but the timing was off because the week before I bought an original Win 71 and my gun fund was empty.

[Bearskinner]

Got my 50-110 project back in a brown truck delivery last night. I’m not only impressed with the work, it came home in just under 2 months! The shortened 16.5” barrel with NEGC front Fiber optic sight set up, balances great, snd what a handy size! Filled the tube and they cycled flawlessly. (snowing and slushing out today) nice thing is I can use (starline 50-110 has the same head size as 50Alaskan, just .3 longer) long bullets in 50AK or short noses in 50-110. here’s a couple pics of the finished product.

898D9F41-C112-45CF-9432-1E928627AF54.jpeg

BCAFAE62-295F-46BF-BDC1-CC9D5A962F0A.jpeg

4771A9E2-69CE-4071-9A73-CE31C18211C2.jpeg

0B910DF2-FBC2-48CD-8A85-5548470D7AEC.jpeg

[Bronco]

I like it
I also got some LBT molds so I can cast 4 different bullets between 3350 and 527 grains, gas checked. Them big bullets are way expensive if you go out and buy them.

[Bearskinner]

That’s what got me casting in the first place. In .510 alone, I cast 345 RFN, 350LFN, 435 WFN, 450RFN, 500HP, 525LFN, and the monster 620LFN. Lots to choose from!

[Ysabel Kid]

How many of those big rounds does she hold in the tube magazine?

[Bearskinner]

Only 3+1, but you only need the first one.

[Bronco]

What twist do you have in the barrel ??

[Pat C]

So you had the barrel reborerd to .50 cal ? Or did you replace it. ? I know the Winchester 1886 .50 cal had some extra cuts on the inside receiver/tube IIRC .
Did they do that too , and who did the work ?

Looks like a one of a kind piece.

[Bill in Oregon]

She's just plumb gorgeous. Watcha gonna name her?

[RIDERED350r]

Got my 50-110 project back in a brown truck delivery last night. I’m not only impressed with the work, it came home in just under 2 months! The shortened 16.5” barrel with NEGC front Fiber optic sight set up, balances great, snd what a handy size! Filled the tube and they cycled flawlessly. (snowing and slushing out today) nice thing is I can use (starline 50-110 has the same head size as 50Alaskan, just .3 longer) long bullets in 50AK or short noses in 50-110. here’s a couple pics of the finished product.

898D9F41-C112-45CF-9432-1E928627AF54.jpegBCAFAE62-295F-46BF-BDC1-CC9D5A962F0A.jpeg4771A9E2-69CE-4071-9A73-CE31C18211C2.jpeg0B910DF2-FBC2-48CD-8A85-5548470D7AEC.jpeg

Wow! That right there is the stuff dreams are made of! And a Trapper length to boot! Absolutely beautiful rifle Sir, and what a cool and nicely done custom. Well well done Color me green with envy in a non contemptuous way

[RIDERED350r]

May I ask who did the work?? Or did I miss it somewhere in the comments.

[Bearskinner]

I took it to Wayne York at “Oregunsmithing” in Pendleton Oregon. I have played with a couple levers he has done for a friend, and was very pleased with his work, and how well my buddies guns shot. I do not know the rifling twist, but he did the re bore and re chamber as well as recoil pad(took 1” off stock) and added the NEGC front sight system. As it was snowing and slushing out, I cycled a few thru it just because.

[Pat C]

I had contacted him about reboring a 32WS to 38-55 for deluxe 1894 project I have.

[marlinman93]

Absolutely gorgeous rifle! I'm a sucker for engraved guns, but only have four of them just because they're always so expensive!
Here's my .50-140-3.25 with a 678 gr. bullet next to my .45-70 with a 530 gr. bullet. Makes my .45-70 look pretty diminutive.

[RIDERED350r]

I took it to Wayne York at “Oregunsmithing” in Pendleton Oregon. I have played with a couple levers he has done for a friend, and was very pleased with his work, and how well my buddies guns shot. I do not know the rifling twist, but he did the re bore and re chamber as well as recoil pad(took 1” off stock) and added the NEGC front sight system. As it was snowing and slushing out, I cycled a few thru it just because.

Thanks. Looks like he does very good work!

[CowboyTutt]

That 50-140 is just soooo cool! -Tutt