A project started 9 years ago when I picked up a M77 in 35 Whelen living in West Texas (an Odessa pawn shop to be exact). Sights were missing but the rest was fine including the "clubby" factory stock that did not balance well with the lightweight barrel (.560" at the muzzle). So over the years I collected parts to bring it back to original but, of course, I needed to tweak it to my liking. A used and abused lightweight Basner stock from a Houston gun shop needing a lot of "bondo" and a chop to the forearm to fit a #1 barrel band, a matte reblue and a bit of other work and it is now complete. Well almost. I called Ruger to try and get a Hawkeye 375 Ruger rear sight but, well NO they are all reserved for production rifles. So I have a Dakota rear sight on its way that will be tweaked to fit, I hope. It weighs 7# 4oz scoped as shown (who says Ruger's can't be light!). It is really handy, like 6 1/2# handy, with the rear island and scope removed and the NECG peep installed. A tempting combo to say the least. Tomorrow I will see how it shoots the 225 gr TSX. I am planning a BC moose, mule deer and black bear combo hunt for next year and this will be the rifle I take. Fun stuff that is for sure.

Mighty fine! That is very nice, for an all business gun!!

... nice rifle in a great caliber...

Good looking rifle.
Gotta love the 35 Whelen.

Don

Sweet unit bud, I luv it .

Very nice rifle, hunt it hard and long.

Very nice, Boxhead!!

9 YEARS!! WOW I was just complaining the other day about one that is 2 years in the making!

Way to hang in there and get what you want!

Hey Boxhead,
Really practical hunting rig you got there. SHould shoot well for you i hope.

What scope rings you got there? Are they SK or conetrol items???

Congrats,

All you need to do now is to come and test her here in Africa.

Gerhard

That stock must weigh close to nothing to get that down to 6 1/2 lbs.

Interesting mounts - what are they?

I like that rifle !
I like the round too ! With that barnes tripple shock you should be able to get 2700 or more so don't let anybody tell you the Whelen is a brush cartridge. You should be good for Elk out to 300 yards and a bit more with practice.
Looks like a 2X7 leupold to me. Thats what my whelen has.
I like the ruger front site. I when you get your rear site , I would work up a load with a 250 grain round nose for the sights , and allways have a hand full of those for emergency...tj3006

Thanks Gents. The rings are S&K's and, yes, the stock is very light as I chopped a few inches off of the forend to fit with the barrel band where I wanted it just behind the Ruger labeling. IIRC the stock weighed 22 oz with the pad installed which I also lightened as much as I could. The barrel is darn light in contour for a 35 cal gun measuring .560" at the muzzle. The scope is a VXII 2-7X. The rifle shot very well with 60 grs of RL-15 and the 225 gr TSX. Oh, and Africa, well I went in '03 but used an FN 9.3x62. If I were to go again I do believe I would take this gun.

nice firearm how is the recoil

Very nice and happy hunting,,,,but I sure would like to see a standback picture(s) of the rig so I can appreciate its over all proportions from tip to toe(if its not too much hassle).
.560Muzzle/.358bore wow! that gives me new hope for how thin I will be able to get a tube done for a .308win.
The S&K rings look Just fine and right in line with theme of your rifle.

I usually don't like synthetic stocked rifles, but this one is really, really nice. I wouldn't mind owning it! Nice rifle!!

Very nice. I am a big fan of the 35 Whelen and this rig should serve you well. Can't wait for the range report.