35 Whelen Project

[Boxhead]

I've had the parts to complete my version of what is now called the Ruger "Hawkeye" for some years now. With the release of the new rifle by Ruger it got me itchin' again to get 'er done. So I got after it today. The gun started out as a pawn shop find 9 years ago, a M77 tang in 35 Whelen. To date it has taken a fair amount of game including elk, bear, deer, hogs and nilgai. It was missing the original sights and, of course, had that big heavy walnut stock. So replacement parts were gathered over the years.


 
And the rough shaped synthetic stock (one of Mark Basner's) was just today bedded awaiting cure.




Next will come fitting of the recoil pad and final finishing of the stock in black. The metal work will be either matte blued or coated with Gun-Kote or the like. Stilll debating this one.

The rifle will be set up to be either scoped with a Leupold 1-4X in S&K lightweight rings or use an NECG rear peep.



My goal is a very lightweight thumper. The factory barrel is an extremely lightweight contour finishing at just .555" at the muzzle. Appears it will go 6 1/4 to 6 3/4 # depending upon sights. We shall see.

[k3yston3]

A 6.5lb whelen shooting 250s in going to be a stomper on both ends!  How do you like that Basner stock?

[Boxhead]

I like his stocks. I picked this one up for $30 in a bargain barrel at a gun store. Whoever tried using it before me chewed into the fiberglass cloth some and basically botched it up. Also, it was an "ADL"style stock with no cutout for the floor plate. I called Mark and he had me send it to him whereby he did the floor plate cut and shipped it back for free. I cut the forend tip off, removed a bit of forend length to fit riight with the barrel band an glued the tip back on refitting it. I also repaired the prior owners mistakes. It is a very light stock, extremely stiff and feels good when shouldered. I highly recommend them.