but a 338 Federal might be interesting.

This is my first attempt at posting photos. Hope it works.

I don't yet understand how some of you post pictures directly into your discussion, rather than links - but for now whatever works.

http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r45/hoonah_photos/CIMG0346.jpg

http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r45/hoonah_photos/CIMG0345.jpg

I know some of you may have various issues with this rifle, but that's why I posted it. I want to read your issues, and thoughts.

This rifle has a long history with me. I bought the action about 1990 at a gunshow in Colorado. Actually I bought two identical, but regretfully traded one away. The only marking I know on it is what looks like a sunflower stamp. Other than it being a military '98 Mauser, I'm a little embarrased to say that I don't know much about it - where made and for what country, etc. I could guess, but I would probably be wrong, but really I don't care too much, because I care more about function, and that it doesn't require heat treatment, and that it doesn't set back on the lugs from the receiver being too soft, as some or most of the 1909 Argentine actions are, regardless of how nice they were machined.

The trigger is Blackburn, safety is Dakota as I remember, the bottom metal is off an FN Husqvarna '98, The rings and bases are Warne. The whole action, rings & bases has been black T coated. I didn't black T the barrel because it would have been twice the cost, and it doesn't need it, and I like the color contrast, and I like knowing the receiver is coated all over, inside and out, every screw and spring, including the threads inside the receiver. I have seen too many receivers (mostly Mausers) practically frozen in time from rust between the barrel threads, and the receiver threads. The initial cause may have been from the blueing salts not being properly flushed.

The barrel is 20" Shilen stainless with 14" twist, and it shoots 200 gr & 250 gr Rem factory loads, and my Hornady 250 gr RN & SP hand loads equally well.

The bolt I know is an FN Military, which was purchased seperately. I sent the action to a fellow in AZ, who welded the new bolt handle on. It was one which he had had laying around, previously cut off a commercial FN bolt for a customer wanting a different style. It worked out well for me, and I can't tell any difference in the bolt shape, position, etc. compared to my other FNs, except that the shank may be a bit more slender.

The ugly (tupperware) stock is Butler Creek, but it feels very good to carry, and bring to shoulder. It has a slight cast off or cant, which enhances the cheek piece. In other words - the center line of the butt stock (ignoring the cheek piece) is not directly in line with the center line of the action and forearm. It is off center to the right, which allows for eye position more easily. Actually it is a well designed stock, and I would like to have a wood stock shaped exactly like it. This stock was my idea of instant gratification, but the years in progress ruined that notion. The idea was to get it into the woods quickly, and worry about a nice stock later. But actually, I have a lot of money into this stock, with new recoil pad, fitted, and bedding.

It has seen three or four gunsmiths since started, and I lost track of the cost a long time ago, which just proves that if you throw enough money at it, your project may succeed. Patience is obviously a virtue too, with 16 years in process. Now after all these years I can get serious about using it. I have shot it before, but basically in an incomplete condition. Mostly, the magazine was not fitted correctly until now. Over the years I have had several military mausers converted or partially converted, but this is the only one so far to run the guantlet of gunsmiths, and come out acceptable. Usually, I have stayed with commercial actions such as Belgian FNs, Husqvarna '98 FNs, or Mark Xs, to minimized the alterations needed.

At first, it had some NECG sights, front banded base, etc, but never used them, so this last time around at the Smith, I just had them removed. This rifle started as a light, powerful, camp gun, for hiking and camping on the Kenai Peninsula, with iron sights, military safety, and bolt, but evolved - as you can see.

I think it may yet be a work in process, because I may want to replace the stock.

Other than being light and handy, the other main feature about this action is that it is probably the slickest feeding rifle I have. Evidently the military action was used just enough to break it in very well, and the Black T helps too. Being 35 Whelen helps too - long neck, small shoulder - it's the angle of the dangle - or something like that.

KB

What is it?

Well judging by the table I would say it was a KB 35 Whelan

I must have pushed the post now button twice and I mistakenly didn,t read the inital post until too late..........................But I,m still right

I also don't need another .358 ... so I've had a 375-08 built . Load development should be finished for it right around when the 303/35 on a No4 Enfield starts being built .
The .35s are a magnificent addiction
Nice looking rifle and those Butler Creek stocks are great!
Cheers...
Con

quote:

Originally posted by gumboot458:
I must have pushed the post now button twice and I mistakenly didn,t read the inital post until too late..........................But I,m still right

Gummy, If you first log in, then look at the bottom right corner of your posts, you'll see this little folder with and eraser. If you click on that it allows you to erase your postings, or edit, whichever you choose. I would do it for you, but unfortunately, I'm only allowed to edit or erase my own postings.

By all means, go for it.

KB

roger I love that table

quote:

Originally posted by bartsche:
roger I love that table

The table was made by my step-son in wood shop during his last year in high school. He is gifted. Perhaps, I should have him make me a stock?

Then, when I go hunting, I can fit the tupperware stock onto it, but when I show off the rifle, I can put it into the wood stock, and spend my spare time polishing and babying it.

Good rifle and cartridge.
The whelen is fun, i,ve had mine about 3 years now, have yoet to get a shot at an elk. I want to shoot somthing with it so I might take it deer hunting this year...tj3006

Right after I first had it assembled where I could shoot it, I was living out in Eastern Colorado, near Sterling. I had a membership in a range, way out in the country. Often I was the only one there. For practice, I remember shooting offhand at fist size rocks I would put on top of the 100 yd target stand. I really liked seeing them go up in a puff. At the time I was using an old Leupold 3x, just to see if I could do it. Of course I didn't hit every time, but regular enough to make it fun. I don't know if I could do that now, but I enjoyed it then. Anyway, I know the rifle will shoot, if I still can.

I don't think I ever shot any game with this rifle, but plenty of rocks. I'll be sure to take it next season.

KB

A 358 would be a nice upgrade to a girls gun.

I've got the 35 addiction after I got a Remington in 35 whelen. Now I'm thinkin about the BLR in 358 win. for deer and pig hunting around here with a low power scope on it. Also looking at the 45/70 guide gun too. I'm not sure which I'll get yet. Nice rifle by the way! Looks like a cool setup.

quote:

Originally posted by gumboot458:
A 358 would be a nice upgrade to a girls gun.

Actually, I like the 358, but one must avoid redundancy. I have a nice Ruger 77 stainless short action, and can't make up my mind whether to barrel it in 308, or 338 Fed or 358. I have time to think about it, because it's about #7 on my projects list.

Speaking of girls guns - when I first thought of making this 35 Whelen, (about three years before actually starting) I was doing a lot of hiking and camping on the Kenai Peninsula, often with my girlfriend at that time, and I was carrying around a rather light weight Parker Hale in 458, which I had shortened the barrel to 20". I had some good sturdy iron sights on it. I was using various hand loads, but mostly the Hornady 350 gr. I liked the rifle, but there was no way my girlfriend could shoot it without a bloody face, nose or perhaps a dislocated shoulder. So I thought of the most thump I could get with a Mauser action in a standard boltface. That was before I discovered the 9.3x62, so the 35 Whelen was what I came up with. It is still a lot of recoil for most women, but I believe most can shoot it without physical damage to themselves - in an emergency.

So, one might say my 35 Whelen is a girly gun, and be correct. Now that girlfriend is long gone, and my present wife won't shoot guns at all, so I'm thinking of an excuse to get one of those CZ 527s in 7.62x39 for plinking. Perhaps I can get her to shoot that one, and work up from there. I'm perfectly happy to take my 35 Whelen girly gun for myself.



KB

What a GOOBER!!!

Why not a .35 Whelen AND a .358? Anytime you need me to come up with more these kinds of good ideas, just let me know.