Finding a solid set of 348 winchester dies is usually the first thing you'll do after you get your hands on a Winchester Model 71. It's one of those cartridges that really forces you into reloading, whether you like it or not. If you've checked the price of factory-loaded .348 ammo lately, you probably had a bit of a heart attack. It's expensive, it's rarely in stock, and when you do find it, it's usually just one specific load that might not even be what your rifle likes. Getting your own dies lets you actually afford to shoot the thing more than once a year.
Why You Really Need Your Own Set
The .348 Winchester is a bit of a legend, but it's a lonely one. It was the only caliber ever chambered in the Model 71, and nothing else uses it. Because of that, the market for it is pretty niche. If you aren't using 348 winchester dies to roll your own, you're at the mercy of whatever seasonal run a major manufacturer decides to do.
Beyond just the cost, there's the performance side of things. Most factory stuff is loaded with 200-grain bullets. They're fine, but the .348 can do so much more. If you want to push a 250-grain hunk of lead for elk or moose, or maybe drop down to something lighter for a day at the range, you're going to need that die set on your bench. Plus, these old lever guns can be a bit picky about headspace and chamber dimensions. Customizing your sizing to your specific rifle can actually help your brass last a lot longer, which is a big deal since .348 brass isn't exactly cheap or easy to find.
Picking the Right Brand
When you start looking for 348 winchester dies, you'll notice that there aren't as many options as there are for something like a .30-06. Still, the big players usually have something for you.
Redding is often the "gold standard" for a lot of guys. Their dies are beautifully machined and they just feel like quality. They're a bit more expensive, but if you're planning on keeping that Model 71 forever, it's a one-time investment that pays off in consistency. RCBS also makes a great set. Most of us grew up with that green box on the shelf, and their customer service is top-notch if you ever manage to break a decapping pin or get a case stuck.
Then there's Lee Precision. A lot of people talk down on Lee because they're cheaper, but honestly, their 348 winchester dies work perfectly fine. They usually include a shell holder too, which is a nice touch because finding the right shell holder for a rimmed beast like the .348 can sometimes be a scavenger hunt on its own. If you're on a budget or just getting started, Lee is a perfectly valid way to go.
The Importance of Full-Length Resizing
Since the .348 is almost exclusively used in the Model 71 lever-action, you've got to be careful about how you resize your brass. Lever-actions don't have the same camming power as a bolt-action rifle. If your brass is even a tiny bit too long or the shoulder hasn't been bumped back enough, that lever isn't going to close.
Most 348 winchester dies you buy will be full-length sets. For a lever gun, this is usually the way to go. You want to make sure that round slides into the chamber effortlessly every single time. There's nothing more frustrating than being out in the woods, seeing a buck, and having your lever jam up because you tried to get away with neck-sizing only. It's just not worth the headache. Stick to full-length resizing and your rifle will thank you.
Managing the Case Taper
The .348 Winchester has a pretty significant taper to the body. This is great for extraction—it basically pops right out of the chamber—but it can be a bit tricky when you're running it through the dies. You really need to make sure you're using a good case lube. If you try to skimp on the lube with these big, tapered cases, you're going to end up with a stuck case. Getting a stuck case out of your 348 winchester dies is a miserable Saturday afternoon project that I wouldn't wish on anyone.
Dealing with the Rim
Because this is a rimmed cartridge, the way it sits in the shell holder is important. Make sure your shell holder is clean and that the rim of the brass isn't beat up. Sometimes those old Model 71 extractors can be pretty aggressive and leave a burr on the rim. If that happens, the brass might not sit flat in the die, which can lead to crooked necks or inconsistent seating depths. A quick touch-up with a file is all it takes to keep things running smooth.
Crimping is Non-Negotiable
One thing you can't skip when using 348 winchester dies is the crimp. Remember, these rounds are going into a tubular magazine. Every time you fire the rifle, the recoil pushes the bullets in the magazine against each other. If you don't have a good, solid crimp, that recoil can actually push the bullet back into the brass casing.
That's a recipe for disaster. It messes up your pressures and can cause feeding issues. Most seating dies will apply a roll crimp if you set them up right. Some guys prefer a separate factory crimp die, and if you can find one for the .348, it's worth its weight in gold. It gives you a much more uniform grip on the bullet without worrying about buckling the case neck.
Maintenance and Care for Your Dies
Once you've got your 348 winchester dies dialed in, you want to keep them that way. Since you might go a few months (or even a year) between reloading sessions for this specific caliber, storage matters. I always like to give mine a light mist of oil before putting them back in the box. Rust is the enemy of precision, and a tiny pit inside your sizing die can mar every piece of brass you run through it.
Also, keep an eye on the decapping rod. The .348 has a big internal volume, and sometimes bits of carbon or grit can get stuck in there. Every few hundred rounds, it's a good idea to take the dies apart, give them a quick scrub with some solvent, and put them back together. It keeps the "feel" of the press consistent, which helps you notice if something is actually wrong with a piece of brass.
Final Thoughts on the Process
Reloading for a vintage caliber like this is half the fun of owning the gun. There's a certain satisfaction that comes from taking a handful of empty brass, running them through your 348 winchester dies, and producing ammo that's actually better than what Winchester was selling sixty years ago.
It turns a "safe queen" into a rifle you can actually take to the range or out on a hunt. It takes a bit of patience to get the dies set up just right, especially with the crimp and the resizing depth, but once you find that sweet spot, you're set for life. Just take your time, use plenty of lube, and enjoy the process of keeping a classic big-bore lever action in the game. It's a lot of work, sure, but the first time you hear that "thump" on a steel target at 100 yards, you'll know it was worth every second spent at the reloading bench.