Author Topic: 35 Whelen Improved! (Read 1468 times)

quickdtoo · « **on:** May 26, 2009, 02:45:29 PM »

Received the 35 Whelen barrel from Wayne last week after he rechambered it to improved, took just 1 month turn around from the time I sent it off to receipt, way to go Wayne!!

I bought a set of the new style syn stocks for it from reno2507 in the classifieds here, got some surprises concerning it....the stock bolt is longer than a standard stock bolt which is 4", this takes a 5" bolt and some washers just like the Survivor. The other surprise is the forend is totally floated except for the stud, I can run a piece of paper all the way back to the stud and on both sides from there back!!

The forend is built very similar to the Varmint forend and fit the barrel perfect with just a slight amount of pressure required to slip into place. I was hoping to add a Limbsaver to it which would fit, but it would be slightly smaller than the OEM pad that comes on it, it takes a different pad than the standard syn stock.

The trigger was about 5lbs when I got it from Remnut, so I did a trigger job and wanting to mount the Leupold in the super low Burris Zee rings I just got from Larry, I replaced the hammer with an old style hammer with the low spur which presented a problem when I mounted the hammer extension, it either hit the back of the barrel release when it falls forward stopping it, or mounted a little higher on the spur it stops against the frame behind the hammer and won't allow it to be fully cocked!!

So I did a little reshaping on the back side of the barrel release to clear it and all is well.

All I need now is some range time, got my brass all necked up and sized with a false shoulder to fire form, I'm thinking on using 5744 and some 240gr gas checked cast bullets I bought for the 35 Rem since I already have them.

More later,

Tim

Swampman · « **Reply #1 on:** May 26, 2009, 02:51:01 PM »

I had one of those stock sets.

Skunk · « **Reply #2 on:** May 26, 2009, 02:56:44 PM »

Very Nice Tim. Congrats!

snakeman · « **Reply #3 on:** May 26, 2009, 02:58:16 PM »

That is a good looking rifle. let us know how it shoots.

snakeman

myarmor · « **Reply #4 on:** May 26, 2009, 05:01:11 PM »

... your living the dream Tim......... just living the dream....

Can't wait for a report on this one.
My memory escapes me, is this a 22" barrel or 26"?

-Aaron

quickdtoo · « **Reply #5 on:** May 26, 2009, 05:02:41 PM »

This is a 22" Handi, I still have the 26" RMEF tho, just didn't want to rechamber it.

thanks,

Tim

whitetailmaniac · « **Reply #6 on:** May 26, 2009, 05:09:23 PM »

great looking rifle Tim!! cant wait to hear how it shoots

Chris

Rustyinfla · « **Reply #7 on:** May 26, 2009, 06:32:49 PM »

Nice looker Tim. I hope it shoots as good as it looks.

trotterlg · « **Reply #8 on:** May 26, 2009, 06:59:57 PM »

Gotta love those super lows, too bad they quit making them. Larry

PHATINJUN · « **Reply #9 on:** May 27, 2009, 12:54:33 PM »

Very nice Tim. kurt

Siskiyou · « **Reply #10 on:** May 27, 2009, 02:42:05 PM »

Is your Whelen Improved the standard 40˚ AI shoulder? I have heard of 35 Whelen-Brown Improved and my brother has a RCBS 35-284 with a 30˚ shoulder.

http://www.gmdr.com/rcbs/cartlist.htm

When I talked to him he was loading the cases with H4350, and using 250-grain Winchester Power Point bullets obtain in the days of bulk bullet sales. I think this must have been the 250-grain bullet Winchester offered in the .358 Winchester loads.

Congratulations on your new shooter!

quickdtoo · « **Reply #11 on:** May 27, 2009, 02:44:42 PM »

Yes, standard 40º Improved version, Wayne cuts several a year for his customers, it's one of his most popular rechambers.

thanks,

Tim

mitchell · « **Reply #12 on:** May 27, 2009, 02:56:58 PM »

hey tim was this one of the 357 barrels or one of the 35 whelen barrel they had out not too long ago

quickdtoo · « **Reply #13 on:** May 27, 2009, 03:04:16 PM »

It's one of the 22" 35 Whelen Handis that were made in 2006, headspace is perfect, still is within SAAMI specs at .0055", it has over .040" firing pin projection, so even factory ammo will still work in it. I did a chamber cast just to confirm that Wayne used an Improved reamer in it, I thought maybe he ran a regular 35 Whelen reamer in it, but it's got the 40º shoulder, must have been a tight chamber originally, brass was flush with the chamber face before I sent it off for the rechamber. Remnut only shot 12 factory rounds thru it with no misfires, and I know why!!

Tim

mitchell · « **Reply #14 on:** May 27, 2009, 03:09:20 PM »

cool!!! i've been thinking about doing the 35 whelen improved too , i've got the reamer i just got to get my hands on a barrel . once you get your loads worked up do share , my hopes are to have mine ready by deer season

petemi · « **Reply #15 on:** May 29, 2009, 06:42:53 AM »

Tim, live long and enjoy all the dandy Handis. Best of shooting with the .35.

Pete

quickdtoo · « **Reply #16 on:** May 29, 2009, 09:05:48 AM »

Mitch, the 225gr TSX and Rl15 make a great combo for a 22" barrel, 2800fps is doable.

http://www.gboreloaded.com/forums/index.php/topic,100788.msg1098266994.html#msg1098266994

Thanks Pete, same to you!!

Tim

.375 Hawk · « **Reply #17 on:** May 29, 2009, 03:40:04 PM »

Quote from: quickdtoo on May 29, 2009, 09:05:48 AM

Mitch, the 225gr TSX and Rl15 make a great combo for a 22" barrel, 2800fps is doable.

Tim

Hi Tim,
The Whelen Improved is a great offspring of the '06!
I just picked up my first H&R.... .45 Colt Classic Carbine.

Thanks for the Great Forum with lots of good info.
The .35 Whelen Imp. is very similar to the .375 Hawk ( from the '06 case) 250 gr. Game King @ 2700fps with H4895 in a 24" Mauser.

dodd3 · « **Reply #18 on:** May 30, 2009, 12:46:12 AM »

tim that is a nice looking rifle i like the stock and forend.
bernie

quickdtoo · « **Reply #19 on:** May 30, 2009, 04:18:46 AM »

Thanks guys!!

And welcome to GBO .375 Hawk!!

Tim

dpe.ahoy · « **Reply #20 on:** May 30, 2009, 05:09:00 AM »

Congrats, Tim. Waiting for the range report

. DP

quickdtoo · « **Reply #21 on:** May 30, 2009, 05:13:20 AM »

That will be a little while, gotta fire form first, maybe this coming week if the weatherman is correct!!

Tim

Default · « **Reply #22 on:** May 30, 2009, 08:03:20 AM »

Now now Tim I know you aint got anything but reloading pressing your ol' butt fer time , get after it I too am looking forward to that range report

Default

quickdtoo · « **Reply #23 on:** May 30, 2009, 08:09:02 AM »

That's not the problem, the private range I used to shoot at only allows non-members on Sunday which makes it a real circus and too busy for my taste, I've been there a couple times when they were less busy and it was still a PITA, they uesd to allow non-members one day during the week, but no longer do. I would have joined but they capped the membership and won't be taking new members for at least two years. So my best choice is to drive about 100 miles to our deer hunting area and shoot on timber company land. $:-\$

Tim

.375 Hawk · « **Reply #24 on:** June 03, 2009, 06:29:03 AM »

Tim, What would happen if you now cut the chamber with a .280 Improved reamer?
That would move the shoulder forward.

But what do I know.
.375 Hawk

quickdtoo · « **Reply #25 on:** June 03, 2009, 09:29:23 AM »

That's what I thought I'd get, but this chamber must have been a min spec chamber to begin with and Wayne's reamer must be an older reamer that's been sharpened a lot that cuts a tight chamber and I ended up with a chamber that I think may actually work with factory Whelen ammo. So I'll just shoot it the way it is and see how she does, since mattparliament's standard 35 Whelen Handi using 61.5gr RL15 under a 225gr TSX will do 2815fps, I hope to best or at least match my 26" RMEF's ~2900fps with the same bullet in the shorter barrel.

Tim

.375 Hawk · « **Reply #26 on:** June 03, 2009, 10:51:01 AM »

The shoulder on the .358 and .375 Hawk looks like the 9.3 x 62. The reamer, I think, was first called a Brown Whelen Improved.
Try this link....

http://www.z-hat.com/Handloader193.htm

Eddie

Fred M · « **Reply #27 on:** June 03, 2009, 06:32:08 PM »

Tim
The 35WhelenAI is way ahead of the standard 35Whelen.
Handloading this case is much better and the brass will last a lot longer. With the 40deg shoulder you wont get much brass stretch
only what the action will provide.

Nice rig.
Fred M

quickdtoo · « **Reply #28 on:** June 03, 2009, 07:40:36 PM »

Thanks Fred!!

Tim

tykempster · « **Reply #29 on:** June 04, 2009, 05:54:47 AM »

I really like the look of that Handi! Almost makes me want another...