Stock for 35 Whelen build

[Warden70]

Trying to decide between an HS Precision or a Boyd’s for this project. These are my choices. The FUDD in me is leaning towards classic walnut with checkering, ebony end caps and satin finish. The more practical side tells me to get the HS, torque it down, and forget about worrying about it. Will be used for hunting. Any suggestions or insights? Thanks in advance.

 

[nowarningshot]

Assuming mauser or other common rifle, your choices are limited by imagination and budget. 35 Whelen is pretty fuddy though, it would just be wrong in a chassis.

 

[gaff]

Mauser action ? Might have what you need.

 

[Warden70]

Mauser action ? Might have what you need.

Nope, Winchester Model 70 pushfeed

 

[wonksy]

Wood all the way!

 

[9.3mauser]

Life's too short to hunt with an ugly rifle. Go with wood.

 

[Southcountryguy]

Both. You don’t take a girl to a branding party in a prom dress, the reverse is also true.

SCG

 

[bearhunter]

You can't go wrong with either of the stocks you list.

I really like the Boyd's laminated stocks though.

I have a Winchester Mod 70, push feed, internal blind magazine, chambered for the 338-06, that I was going to get one of the Boyd's laminated stocks for.

In the end, a friend, a CGNer had a detachable mag he had ordered, which would have taken a lot of work to fit to his rifle.

I had it sold for him but the buyer backed out, when he understood what would have to be done to fit it to his rifle.

I bought the system from him and adapted it to my Winchester Mod 70.

I no longer do horseback hunts, nor long backpack hunts, so the blind magazine was no longer needed. I found on the extended hunts I used to do, that anything that could go wrong, if you weren't paying constant attention, would go wrong, especially when horses were involved.

I stuck with the original stock, which I inletted on the milling machine, to accept the detachable mag system as well as the hole spacing to fit the Mod 70 receiver.

I stayed with that stock, which has been on that rifle for 30 years, because it's absolutely stable and accuracy is always repeatable.

I like laminated stocks, over composite models. That doesn't mean I don't appreciate the utilitarian advantage of a composite.

In the end, you have to decide what suits your needs best.

 

[Duncan Idaho]

My first 35 Whelen was from the last run of Remington CDLs. I loved the cartridge but hated the factory walnut. Dropped it into an H-S Precision and it became an amazing combination. I wish I had never parted with that rig. I built a new Whelen this spring. KS Arms barrel, 22", #2 contour, with a 1:12 twist, bedded into a McMillan Edge.

I favour the H-S stocks. They have a nice feel, very well made, and are very rigid so the barrel can be completely free-floated with no flex in the stock. For hunting, I love the fine, sandpaper-like texture of the H-S as they stick to my hands. I have several of them on both spotters and heavy barrels. I also really like the McMillan stocks and have them on a few hunting rigs. They are stiff and light. My only complaint is the texture as they tend to be very smooth and are less grippy in the wet or cold conditions. Either the H-S or McMillan is a great aftermarket choice in whatever colour you want but the H-S will be half the price of a McMillan. Boyds are okay but nothing special. I have built a few rifles for friends and colleagues using a Boyds stock. You are building a nice rifle, put it in a good stock and skip the Walmartesque nature of a Boyds. No finishing or grinding required with the H-S.

 

[Warden70]

Thanks! This is where my head is at, as much as I love a nice piece of walnut. I had another rifle (M70 push-feed) I stocked with. Bell and Carlson. Absolutely hated it! Was blocky and too thick in the grip and barrel channel was way too wide. Was a disappointing way to spend $500+. I chose a KS Arms barrel also, only in #4 contour and 21” finish length with a recessed target crown. Can’t wait to have this build complete.