Author Topic: 35 whelen (Read 1739 times)

danwolla · « **on:** March 14, 2004, 01:17:34 AM »

I have seen some posts about rechambering a .357 mag to a 35 Whelen. Doesn't one have to worry about the difference in the bore diameter? I know it's only .001, but??

Deadeye47 · « **Reply #1 on:** March 14, 2004, 03:54:01 AM »

I have been told by several smiths that the (NEF) .357 magnum barrel is N O T suitable for the 35 Whelen conversion....(I.E. too much pressure in the whelen and would be a BOMB waiting to go off. :eek: ) Of course the smiths at NEF will tell you the original chambered barrels they make are N O T suitable for AN Y chamber modification other than what it was originally chambered for.....there is a reason for that ..... That aside .oo1 diff. isn't that big a deal but would be in the above mentioned case. Especially if were talkin jacketed bullets...(pressure) :wink: Happy shooting....

mt3030 · « **Reply #2 on:** March 14, 2004, 01:07:35 PM »

There are a couple reasons for not doing this conversion. First: Early 357 Mag Handi (and maybe later ones, I haven't examined one) were built on the Pre SB series or on the SB1 action. These were not built for the rifle pressures of the 35 Whelen. Second: All 357 Mag chambered Handi used the proper rifling twist for the 38/357 caliber/weight bullets. It would be unlikely that you would get acceptable accuracy with your 35 Whelen loads, unless you stuck with the pistol bullets. JMHO. If you want a 35 Whelen Handi, buy one. They are around. I saw a used RMEF last week ($275.00) and a New In Box RMEF ($350.00).
mt

Sourdough · « **Reply #3 on:** March 14, 2004, 03:29:53 PM »

I have a Handi in .35 Whelen. It is totally adequate for Moose, Grizzly, Black Bear, Elk, and fantastic for Whitetail. My 74 year old Dad killed a Moose with mine. One shot the Moose dropped, and recoil was very tolerable for a senior citizen. comparable to a 30-06 with heavy (same weight) bullets on recoil, but far more frontal area for the game. Love those .35s

Winter Hawk · « **Reply #4 on:** March 15, 2004, 12:55:25 PM »

The .357 uses the same frame as the shotguns, not the SB2 frame which is adequate for the larger cartridges. If you want a .35 Whelen, get the .30-06 and have it bored out. There are a number of gusnmiths who will do this. If your local smith won't, look on the NEF-singleshot site on Yahoo. There is a list in the "files" section there of gunsmiths who will do the job.

-WH-

marv · « **Reply #5 on:** March 15, 2004, 07:28:04 PM »

My 357 Mag is on a SB-2 frame, Marv.

handirifle · « **Reply #6 on:** March 15, 2004, 08:27:05 PM »

Winterhawk
The last 357 rifles NEF produced were all on the SB-2 receiver. just like the '06 and others. ONLY the shotguns were made on the SB-1 receivers. This has been so for about 4-5 years now.

On some of the SB-1 Receivers NEF DID chamber for .243, 30-06 and I believe the 35 Whelen as well. Even though these came from the factory, the only accessory barrels you could buy after that were low pressure calibers. It didn't make sense but that was how they did it before the SB-receivers came out.

I have taken the serial numbers from Factory .243 rifles and called NEF to verify this.

As far as the .357 barrels being a bomb, I doubt it personally because they are all produced to the same specs before drilling them out. I'd only be concerned if the chamber area wasn't long enough to accomodate the full length of the 30-06 cartridge. If that were the case they might be right.

Leftoverdj · « **Reply #7 on:** March 15, 2004, 08:41:14 PM »

All the Handis have chamber sections plenty long to take the .35 Whelen. The nominal groove diameter difference ain't worth worrying about. On an SB-2 frame, it's a conversion I would be willing to do for my own use.

The twist rate might be a problem if you have your heart set on shooting 250 grain spitzers. It ain't a problem on 250 grain RN and shorter bullets.

Cottonwood · « **Reply #8 on:** March 16, 2004, 03:19:15 PM »

I changed out my 35 Whelen barrel on my SB2 Ultra RMEFCE rifle to a 22" 45-70 barrel which I like much better.

I believe I may be selling this 35 Whelen barrel to help fund another Buffalo Classic project that I have in mind.

For those serious, send me a PM and make a serious offer.

danwolla · « **Reply #9 on:** March 16, 2004, 04:28:01 PM »

Thanks to all who replied. I was primarily curious about the difference in bore diameter causing a pressure problem. I would not do the conversion to a non sb2 reciever rifle. My wish is that NEF would chamber its rifle in 338/06. Perhaps this generates too much pressure, but I am guessing it is close to 270 pressure levels. this years hogdon manual only lists the 338/06 in psi, while the 270 is in cup. again thanks to all for your comments.

handirifle · « **Reply #10 on:** March 16, 2004, 05:44:59 PM »

danwallo
I would imagine all the '06 based cartridges are going to be safe in the SB-2. There is even a 40 cal wildcat based on the '06 case. The name of it escapes me right now but seemed close to a 405 Win.

MSP Ret · « **Reply #11 on:** March 16, 2004, 06:39:59 PM »

I believe all the .357 Barrels are strong enough for a .35 Whelan conversion. The RECEIVER must be a SB2. Do not use an early .357 Mag with a SB1 receiver for a .35 Whelan conversion....<><.... :oops:

Cottonwood · « **Reply #12 on:** March 17, 2004, 02:33:10 AM »

This is possible, but what about extraction or ejection. The current ejector for the 357 mag will not work for a 35 Whelen.

Just curious :cb2:

MSP Ret · « **Reply #13 on:** March 17, 2004, 03:21:11 AM »

As I understand the process another ejector is fitted which fits the new shell. In this case an ejector for a 30-06 or .308 would be fitted to the rechambered barrel....<><.... :grin:

Winter Hawk · « **Reply #14 on:** March 17, 2004, 07:44:24 AM »

I would get the .30-06 and get it bored out. That was the original .35 Whelen, anyway. Chamber dimensions are the same. I believe that it would be around $100 for the work. You wouldn't need to worry about the ejector or anything.

-WH-

BIGBOREFAN · « **Reply #15 on:** March 18, 2004, 01:49:16 AM »

Reboring that I seen was over 300.00 A guy on the old H&R site told us over there that most of the time it run 325.00 I do not think I have ever seen reboring that cheap. Just my 2 cents

BBF

offhand35 · « **Reply #16 on:** March 18, 2004, 03:01:27 AM »

Now I know the thrill of having a common firearm in an unusual caliber.......BUT....MSP RET, it looks like you are heading out beyond what the original intent of these rifles may have been!!...... :shock:
INEXPENSIVE as well as great to shoot!....... :roll:

MSP Ret · « **Reply #17 on:** March 18, 2004, 03:43:08 AM »

, offhand35, I would not in my wildest dreams ever spend the money to rebore a Handi, reboring is way, way to expensive, I have never seen it for even close to $100.00. Rechambering, now thats another story, especially with a "group" use reamer or a rented one. I agree these are inexpensive rifles and should remain so. What I am interested in but will probably never do is ream out a .357 barrel to .35 Remington (is that your namesake, "offhand35", or does that refer to my other preference, the .35 Whelan?, gotta love those .35's!!), fitting it with a proper ejector (30-06, .308, .35 Whelan?) and getting my long desired .35 Remington Handirifle. For now all my thoughts and hopes will be directed to buying Montanan's .35 Whelan barrel....<><.... :grin: (P.S. I think it was winterhawk that advocated the reboring, I know it wasn't me)

handirifle · « **Reply #18 on:** March 18, 2004, 10:53:04 AM »

Here is a list (old list) of smiths that work on NEF barrels in re-boring. Check with them for current pricing. Hope it helps. This came of the Yahoo-NEF forum
Wells Sport Store
Dan Pedersen
110 N. Summit Av.
Prescott, Az. 86301
928-445-3655

Redmans Rifling and Reboring
Randall Redman
189 Nichols Rd.
Omak, Wa. 98841
509-826-5512

Starlight Enterprises
Randy Selby
1502 Bleistein Av.
Cody, Wy. 82414
307-587-3581

LaBounty Precision Reboring Inc.
Cliff Labounty
7968 Silver Lake Rd
Maple Falls, Wa. 98266
360-599-2047

Siegrist Gun Shop
Al Siegrist
8752 Turtle Rd.
Whittemore, Mi. 48770
989-873-3929

Paul5388 · « **Reply #19 on:** March 19, 2004, 04:07:04 PM »

It seems like the original question was about using jacketed bullets in a rechambered .357 barrel.

I have been loading my .357 Mag Handi with any bullets I have on hand for my .35 Whelen. So far I have loaded 180 gr, 200 gr, 220 gr and will look at loading some 250 gr in the future.

Considering I have to work on my synthetic forearm with a file to get it to float properly, it will still get 1 1/4" groups at 100 yards with the 200 gr Hornady PSP.