Help with Mauser Magazine Length

[intuldt]

Guys,

I have a 50's vintage Husqvarna .243.  It has a magazine box that appears to be a normal full length mauser box which has been blocked to feed the shorter .243.  I want to rebarrel this rifle to .35 Whelen.  To do this the magazine box has to have the block removed and the follower replaced.   I would like to use the same stock so I don't want to replace the bottom metal with something having different dimensions.  What's the best way to do this? Any other changes needed to go to the longer case?  Thanks.

LT

[AkRvrrat]

I suspect the 3.4" magazine requires the block removed no doubt, floor plate is still the same but the medium action follower can be replaced with a Ruger long action follower. That should do you just fine outside your barrel refit and headspacing. Rail work should be just fine as is. I have tried a Ruger follower from a .30-06 MKII for grins in my commercial FN 98 and works good but I stuck to my original. Sounds like simple job. Good luck

[gunnut69]

It's been pretty well covered.. The 243 has the same rough case diameter as the Whelan but the action was set up for the shorter case. This may mean the rails may hold onto the case too long. This can jam the round at an accute angle trying to make the turn into the feed ramp. This is a fairly easy fix however. The Whelan is a fairly straight case with little body taper and precious little should. It may require a little tweeking.

[intuldt]

Thanks for the input... I'll give it a try.

[strut64]

The 243 is based on a 308Win brass.  The case can be woked much like a 30-06 that is neck up or down.  The 358 win is the same overall length as the 243/308 rounds.  The 358 is not as potent as the 35whelen but not by much.  It is also a terrific round.

[gunnut69]

Then there is the 338 Federal. This may be the best round yet for the short case.. Best exterior ballistics than a 358 and decent velocities.. I'm seriously considering one myself..