35 Whelen Project

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TarpMan

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Well, I am being wooed by the information I have read (read google.ca and CGN) on the 35 Whelen as an all around medium calibre that is not a magnum. So I am looking for input on receivers to base it on, suggested starter models to re-and-re, barrel twists, etc. Favorite bullet load combos are a bit premature, but welcome. I have had some PM's that only wheted the appetite, so let fly. Thanks in Advance
-Tarp Man
 
nothing is as gunsmith friendly as a 700 Remington, but there are a couple dozen actions that will probably work

something like the 700 Rem, 70 winchester, 77 ruger, savage etc should work, and have many stock options
 
I am waiting for a call from my gunsmith to pick up my new whelen. It is built on a Winchester M-70 action as that is what I prefer. My last whelent was a Remington 700 classic.

24" barrel, 1/12 twist, medium contour. When you get it built decide which bullet you are going to use and make sure that the gunsmith throats the barrel to take the max overall length cartridge with that bullet that you can feed out of the magazine.

For heavy game the 250 grain speer bullets or hornady 250's are an excellent choice and with reasonable handloads you should get 2550 fps with them.

For deer, good cast bullet loads are easy to work up and if you don't cast the 200 grain bullets can be used.

I have not used the 225 grain Nosler or sierra bullets but imagine they would work well also. (the 225 sierra's work well on deer out of my .358 win though).

44Bore
 
My Whelen is built on a early 50's FN(Mauser 98) action with a 23" Douglas Premium barrel in #2 profile(.60" muzzle dia). I doubt if there is a smoother functioning(feeding, extraction, ejection) rifle anywhere. If you can find an FN or even a Sears JC Higgins(FN action) from the early 50's, grab it.

I would recommend a 1:12 twist which will stabilize all bullet weights(Remington uses a 1:16 twist).

The powder of choice of a lot of Whelen fans is Alliant's RL15. I use it exclusively with 225 gr bullets(approx 2700-2730 fps) and 250 gr bullets(approx 2550-2600 fps)
 
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I've barreled four of them with Bevan's 14" twist stainless tubes...mine and cccan's are incredible shooters...mine does 2700+ with a 225 Partition..and I have three shot groups here under 3/4". Three were built on 700's..one on a stainless Ruger MarkII. IMHO the Whelen is vastly under rated..even referred to as a "brush cartridge"?...obviously by guys who've never shot one...sighted 2-1/2" high at 100, mine was down less than a foot at 300....that's no "brush cartridge".....and the recoil is maybe a bit more than a 30-06..hard to tell the difference really.

like "Mauser98" says....Rel15 is THE powder for the Whelen....
 
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So I am thinking a used 30/06 action, Rem 700 probably or Parker Hale, with a nice custom barrel and custom stock? How 'bout a Rem 700 action and stock and nice new custom barrel?
 
35 Whelen

Grice's gun shop in PA does special runs of Remington products. Right now they have 7600 rifles and 700 Classic Deluxes in 35 Whelen. Cost in US $ is 529 for the 7600 and 639 for the 700. I have purchased a 7600 and am looking for someone to piggy back on my order (the exporter will ship two for a fee of $250, plus shipping) Obviously GST and PST payable at the CDN border.
 
i think the repro browning model '95 Win. would make a great 35 Whelen, and it wouldn't be just another bolt action rifle....I've seen some really nice looking ones with banded front sights and a barrel band for sling swivel! M.T. Chambers makes a 200 gr. flat pt. gas check bullet for the .358
 
hiredgun said:
Grice's gun shop in PA does special runs of Remington products. Right now they have 7600 rifles and 700 Classic Deluxes in 35 Whelen. Cost in US $ is 529 for the 7600 and 639 for the 700. I have purchased a 7600 and am looking for someone to piggy back on my order (the exporter will ship two for a fee of $250, plus shipping) Obviously GST and PST payable at the CDN border.
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local shop has a 700 CDL Whelen for $795 CDN..........I'm sure Wholesale has some too.....
 
Is there even a choice? Use a Mauser 98 based action or a Apringfield 1903 action. These specific actions are what the Whelen was PURPOSE DESIGNED for.
 
How about a Stevens 200, and rebarrel?

Shot a 35 whelen and was surpised to see 3 holes all touching at 100 yards....i had the same "bush calibre" mentality until i tried one.

Great hunting round for any game!
 
Tarpman, if price isn't an object, then by all means build that custom rifle, doing as much of the work yourself as possible, just for the personal satisfaction, or get it done by one of the many fine gunsmiths, both ticketed and hobbiests that are out there. It's not rocket science after all but just really good work practices and attention to detail as well as "good enough" isn't. There are a lot of god people out there that will gladly build that rifle to you're specs. Whatever go for it you won't be disapointed with the 35 Whelan. By the way, go for your favorite action and the one you're most familiar with. bearhunter
 
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[QUOTEmikeelliot]How about a Stevens 200, and rebarrel?

![/QUOTE]


The only issue (for me) woudl be that the 35 Wheen woudl be employed as a *swerious* hunting rilfe...

And while the Stevens may be inexpensive, it is not somethign that I would want to be on a *serious* hunting trip wiht!!!:p
 
Gatehouse said:
The only issue (for me) woudl be that the 35 Wheen woudl be employed as a *swerious* hunting rilfe...

And while the Stevens may be inexpensive, it is not somethign that I would want to be on a *serious* hunting trip wiht!!!:p
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Dewd ..... You really should get a PC with bigger keys. :D




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Mauser98 said:
My Whelen is built on a early 50's FN(Mauser 98) action with a 23" Douglas Premium barrel in #2 profile(.60" muzzle dia). I doubt if there is a smoother functioning(feeding, extraction, ejection) rifle anywhere. If you can find an FN or even a Sears JC Higgins(FN action) from the early 50's, grab it.
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TarpMan,

I have one of these that I got for a project, but am a ways behind. If you are interested $400 plus shipping will get it there.

PM sent. :)

Ted
 
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