New build! Turning a 30-06 into a Whelen and ???

A good member of this board sold me his Savage American in 30-06 for a price that makes this project possible - thank you!

The donor gun is stainless and in good shape.

Just yesterday, I sent JC of JC custom barrels in New Brunswick a deposit on a new stainless barrel prefit to 35 Whelen.

This fellow took the time to talk to me about the project and walk me through considerations regarding contour and twist. Great fellow to deal with!

I did a bit of research on his barrels and frankly there are quite a few very happy customers. There is a long wait but that is expected with any quality manufacturer.

Up to now I have only ever purchased Brux match grade and they have been great but for this build I really wanted to try one of the great barrel manufacturers in Canada!

I will be ordering a set of HS gauges and a pillar bedded Boyd’s stock to really make this rig shine.

The recoil lug will also be replaced.

I will keep the 30-06 barrel and stock as is as for a switch gun set up.

Ultimately, I will hope to add a 338-06, and possibly a 6.5-06 down the road in the same contour so I don’t have to mess with the stock.

My hope is that this Whelen build will hold MOA to 300 yards with 225 or 250 grain bullets.

I will post pictures as I proceed through this project for those that are interested along with all associated costs.

Right on......I look forward to following along with you.....

What twist did you go with?

The Whelen is on my list but down the road for sure. Many of the factory guns will struggle with 250gr unless they are a flat base from what I hear but I have no first hand knowledge of that.

That is what I recall as well Fox. I have requested a 1 in 12. The whelen apparently shines with 225 and 250 grain bullets so hopefully I will see a good result.

Live Bates - pictures of parts accumulated so far will be posted later this week. This will be a learning experience for me which I am happy to share!

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Originally Posted by Big Jack

That is what I recall as well Fox. I have requested a 1 in 12. The whelen apparently shines with 225 and 250 grain bullets so hopefully I will see a good result.

Live Bates - pictures of parts accumulated so far will be posted later this week. This will be a learning experience for me which I am happy to share!

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Well you will push that 225gr bullet at the same speed as a 180gr 3006, so ya it is going to shine.

The problem with the 35 bullets is that lack of longer range bullets, lower BC flat base lead tip bullets are the norm but the Accubond 225gr is one that is on the sticky note at my desk at home.

I have my sights on a 7600 in 35 whelen, dad has a 7600 and there is just something about the amish machine gun that is appealing to me. Load up some pistol bullets at low speed, 35 rem velocity 200gr bullets for deer in the tight woods and then heavy stuff for when I can finally get up to the Yukon for Bison.

The 7600 are good riffles and I have made several shoot 1/2 MOA. They would be great to find in whelen but unfortunately none seem to come up!

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Originally Posted by Big Jack

The 7600 are good riffles and I have made several shoot 1/2 MOA. They would be great to find in whelen but unfortunately none seem to come up!

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It is rare, lots came up on CGN ..... when I did not have the budget for one, ha ha ha :(

Ya, lots of people bash the 760 rifles, claim they are bad but a 7/8in 5 shot group load with dads 3006, 180gr Hornady BTSP at 200fps over factory 180gr Remington Core Lok and their 3in group. That was done with the scope at the max 4x, not ideal for developing a load but very nice.

I have heard that some people like to move to the AI version of the Whelen due to headspace issues but read that this is mainly an issue with light pistol bullet loads.

Sounds like a build for chasing game?..
Glades Armory has great options for bolt handles if considered for your build.

I have 35 Whelen built on a Howa action with a match grade Pac-nor barrel. 1/14 twist and it shoots 225 accubonds loaded to +/- 2700 fps or 250 partitions to +/- 2500 fps. Both loads are MOA. Killed 8 bears with that gun over the years and most were sub 10 yard recoveries with the longest being 13 yards.

Looking forward to updates. As an aside all my 250 grain bullets were bought off of you R, a few years back off the for sale section on this site.

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Originally Posted by Species8472

I have 35 Whelen built on a Howa action with a match grade Pac-nor barrel. 1/14 twist and it shoots 225 accubonds loaded to +/- 2700 fps or 250 partitions to +/- 2500 fps. Both loads are MOA. Killed 8 bears with that gun over the years and most were sub 10 yard recoveries with the longest being 13 yards.

Looking forward to updates. As an aside all my 250 grain bullets were bought off of you R, a few years back off the for sale section on this site.

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Good info, I can’t wait to build this thing. Go no go gauges ordered today!

I forgot about those bullets! It seems you have put them to good use.

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Originally Posted by canadaman30

Sounds like a build for chasing game?..
Glades Armory has great options for bolt handles if considered for your build.

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You are correct - moose!

I really have always wanted one though and this is my first step into CF barrel changes and customization.

I’ll check out those bolts.

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Originally Posted by Fox

It is rare, lots came up on CGN ..... when I did not have the budget for one, ha ha ha :(

Ya, lots of people bash the 760 rifles, claim they are bad but a 7/8in 5 shot group load with dads 3006, 180gr Hornady BTSP at 200fps over factory 180gr Remington Core Lok and their 3in group. That was done with the scope at the max 4x, not ideal for developing a load but very nice.

I have heard that some people like to move to the AI version of the Whelen due to headspace issues but read that this is mainly an issue with light pistol bullet loads.

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The big problem with the whelen is it was wildcat at first, as many cartridges start, then became a saami chambering.

Lots of older rifles with wildcat chamberings of various dimensions.

If the smith uses a saami reamer it should be ok…..I hope!

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Originally Posted by Big Jack

You are correct - moose!

I really have always wanted one though and this is my first step into CF barrel changes and customization.

I’ll check out those bolts.

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I also went American for a game chaser. Kept the original barrel though, earlier model with nicely blued steel, but did some work to get it to my liking in 7mmRM.

Attachment 41931

Best of luck Big Jack with your build

Thanks

Can’t see your pic for some reason?

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Originally Posted by Big Jack

Thanks

Can’t see your pic for some reason?

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Sorry will try an update later when I return home. Something up with posting pic?
Attachment 41933

Please give us updates when it's sending led down range.
Sounds like a great rifle to have in the woods

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Originally Posted by Big Jack

The big problem with the whelen is it was wildcat at first, as many cartridges start, then became a saami chambering.

Lots of older rifles with wildcat chamberings of various dimensions.

If the smith uses a saami reamer it should be ok…..I hope!

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Ya, I don't see you having a problem.

There was also a 40 Whelen, I would imagine that thing would have had to be headspaced on the case mouth.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/.400_Whelen

Interesting, a 40 would be an odd one!

Canadaman30, I’ll order one of those handles! Good looking rig.

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Originally Posted by Big Jack

Interesting, a 40 would be an odd one!

Canadaman30, I’ll order one of those handles! Good looking rig.

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The 3006 has been necked up and down but for maximum energy the 338-06 and 35 whelen seem to be the best for reasonable range.

Update

To date I now have the following;

Donor 30-06
Clymer Go, No Go gauges
35 Whelen Dies
35 Whelen Case Length Gauge
35 cal 200 grain FTX
35 cal 225 Accubond
85 pcs 1X fired 35 Whelen brass
6.5- 20 Vortex Viper Scope
Barrel wrenches
Appropriate reloading powders

I have yet to receive;

Glades armoury bolt
JC custom prefit barrel
Boyd’s Laminate Thumbhole stock

Attachment 41964

Nicely done Big Jack
Looks like good scope on gun now?

It’s an elite 2-7
Decent scope but I am going to see how small the groups can be!
Then I’ll pop a hunting scope on the build

A beautiful custom barrel showed up today from JC Custom barrels of NB Canada!

If this barrel shoots half as good as it looks it will outperform my expectations!

Seriously though, the fit and finish is second to none and the rifling and chamber work looks like a piece of art.

Attachment 42164

Very nice Big Jack. Looks like you have a friend for life

Big fan of the 35 Whelen and Remington 760/ 7600s. Currently on my 5th 7600 in 35 Whelen lol. Should have kept the last 1. It was very accurate and wasn't in the least bit fussy on what I fed it. Sounds like you have a winner there Big Jack

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Originally Posted by B525

Big fan of the 35 Whelen and Remington 760/ 7600s. Currently on my 5th 7600 in 35 Whelen lol. Should have kept the last 1. It was very accurate and wasn't in the least bit fussy on what I fed it. Sounds like you have a winner there Big Jack

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Yes, I regret selling my Rem 750 carbine in .35 Whelen!

Nice build Big Jack.
To me that’s the perfect Bear caliber.

Thanks guys.

I started putting together the build.

One thing I noticed off the bat was the significant range of headspace that is still ”acceptable” to SAAMI specs.

I screwed on the barrel with the go gauge till it stopped with the top of the receiver pointed at 1pm. I them screwed in the no go gauge and the point the bolt would not close, top of receiver was pointing at the 10 o’clock position.

I set it between 12-1 position as I want a tighter headspace. It is my belief that more generous headspace increases recoil and is harder on brass.

It’s easy to adjust later if I change my mind.

I have done some stock inlet work but still have more to do.

Still have to get replacement bolt knob - it won’t make it for the hunt as the vendor is backed up!

Another interesting thing, as I start to make up loads it seems that there is a significant difference between Hodgdon and Nosler reload data for 225 grain bullets. 3 grains difference approximately. Two different bullets mind you, but same weight.

Just goes to show you that you need to work up a load and let the rifle tell you what is acceptable while not exceeding max listed loads.

Range day for first test. Trail boss rounds were fun and reasonably accurate with no kick.

After that started with some 200 grain FTX loads with sub MOA to 1.5 MOA groupings.

Tried some 225 Federal Factory fusion and what a surprise. Cut the group below.

.526 inch three shot group and that was best group of the day.

The ES was worth mentioning. Several loads were 1 FPS ES according to chronograph. I’ve never seen that with a Centre Fire.

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Last post for this thread
Have my moose load ready. 200GN TTSX over 8208XBR at 2798FPS.

Look out bull winkle!

Attachment 42348

Nice, good luck with the hunt

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Originally Posted by Big Jack

Look out bull winkle!

Attachment 42348

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No kidding, best of luck hunting:thumbup: