Re: Can a Yugo M48A be converted to a 35 Whelen?

Yes! it can be done and yes it will cycle the round. BUT! You will NEVER be able to reach the Whelen maximum OAL even with minor action alterations.

The Magazine box on my M-48 is 3.235". Because of the short fat nature of the 35 cal bullets this means that it can accomodate nearly any bullet in that caliber but some will need to be seated quite deeply which would make it like a 358 win, (which isnt all bad). I have a Whelen bbl that Im going to put on mine.

A 220 gn Speer seated to the cannelure only comes to less than 3.00". Plenty room for that bullet, it will also accomodate a plethora of 250 gn bullets including partitions but seating them out to the lands will probably not be an option. Thats the real downside. One bullet that would need to be seated quite deeply is the 225 gn BT. Oh well, plenty room for a 225 gn Sierra.

Personally, I just want a Whelen and even in a M-48 it will still have more value than an 8X57. Not to bad mouth the 8mm mind you, just the truth. Im goin for it and Im sure I will be able to find a suitable load or two.

Posts: 10189 | Location: Tooele, Ut | Registered: 27 September 2001

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You could make any bulelt you want seat in the lands. Just a matter of how you chamber it. But if you set it up for a 250g Barnes, then you'll have some awefully short round noses when you get to loading them.
I was just thinking, you could make a 3.2" 350 Rem Long, and get a LOT closer to Norma ballistics than Whelen. -And at the risk of sounding like a broken record, use the 404 case and easily match the Norma. Cut to 2.4" and neck.
Sure, there will be conversion issues, rails and boltface, but a competant smith will not have troubles. Resale will be next-to-nothing, so it better be the sort of thing you want to give to your grandkids!

Posts: 2000 | Location: Beaverton OR | Registered: 19 December 2002

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