Yes, but, if I'm going to build one I plan on wearing it out. Which will probable take a long time given the powder weight to bore diameter. I will probably want to shrink down some 416 bullets from time to time.

quote:

I will probably want to shrink down some 416 bullets from time to time.

I agree I do it all the time. Just saying you didn't need the Lee to start. Put is a nice thing to have.

quote:

Originally posted by John Chalmers:
RIP. Nice rifle, what a bargain.(even 3 years ago) How can they make them so cheap. There would be one less if I was there....jc

Thanks!

Recap:

$469.99 donor rifle, a 35 Whelen Ruger Hawkeye:



You will have to ask Ruger how they can make them so cheaply. Alas, a bad barrel does get through now and then, but nothing was wrong with this one.


400 Whelen Petrov of 2003 chambering, completed just over 3 years ago by Rusty McGee, Gunsmith, aka member here, "roughone":





It now wears a Leupold 2.5x20mm Ultralight scope. I saved the obese 30mm-tubed scope for an obese rifle.

Shilen No. 4 sporter barrel above in .411-caliber is recommended for the 400 Whelen builder.

New member here and 1st time poster, my name is Lee. I had the privilege of serving our great country in the early 80's. I just got done reading this thread, all of it

Just wanted to give all of you a heartfelt thanks, for a job well done. You have no idea how much time and money you've saved me.

I recently acquired a springer 1903 chambered in 375 whelen imp. I was racking my brain and burning up my dsl trying to figure out to obtain brass, that was going to be long enough. Chamber cast showed I will need to have brass @ 2.557 max oal. Brass provided was 2.43 and change. Then lo and behold your thread shows up on my search engine. You guys are really on the ball here with this 400. Looks really cool but I'm going to ring this rifle out first. A lot of other questions were answered also. Thanks again.

Lee
USN 80-86 USS Texas CGN-39 83-86

Welcome Lee.

While I have a 400PDK I also have a 380PDK. Same case just .375. It loves the 260gr Accubond. Both RL15 and IMR4895 let me send them downstream at 2700fps with no impact on case life.

Just because you chamber allows 2.557 brass you don't need it. Seat your bullet to the same OAL and you will have the same net case capacity. Just insure you have enough neck to firmly hold the bullet. The 375 bullets I use don't have a cannelure so case length isn't much of an issue.

Enjoy your Whelen keep us posted and welcome to the site.

Thanks ramrod.

I have no choice from what I've read. Chamber cast reveals .415 of free bore. need the additional length for support. This will also allow bullet to seat out further taking advantage of free bore with longer/heavier bullets.

But I still a noob at all this. Don't want to hijack topic.

Lee
USN 80-86 USS Texas CGN-39 83-86

OK other questions. What bullet? Mag box Length.

I wouldn't worry about .415 freebore. Try it first.

Lee, Welcome to AR. It's interesting that you have a 375 Improved.
Do you have any pics you can post?
I have my eye on a friends 375 Brown Whelen . It's a sweet little carbine . For some reason he loaded the old 350 gr. Barnes Original RNSP .049k" in it and he says it kicks like a mule.
I don't think the whole rifle fully loaded and scoped weighs 7 lbs so its understandable .

Sorry can't post pics as I must link to them with a url. Not sure how to do that. But you can go to GB and search for item 524131151.
Thanks for the welcome. Glad to be here.

Lee

quote:

Sorry can't post pics as I must link to them with a url

Just follow the steps.

http://forums.accuratereloadin...22101325/m/951100671

Nice looking rifle. Not crazy about the magna porting but that is just my preference.

Don't know whose brass you are going to use but if Wayne at AHR (American hunting Rifles) has any 380Howell brass it would be a cheap alternative.

I just got back from the gunsmiths. All my new 400 Whelen needs is bedding and blueing.
Then it's some load development.

H4895 is your friend. My favorite load is 58 grains of it under a 400 grain bullet. My rifle does 2160 with that combination.

I agree with Mart H4895 as well as IMR 4895 are great choices for your 400 Whelen and 400 grain bullets, TAC works real well too.
So far I've only played with 400 grain bullets by Hornady and Woodleigh in .410 and .411 diameters and some loads with Hornady 300 grain bullets. All very accurate.
My favorite so far is 58 grains of IMR 4895 with 400 grain Hornady DGX and it sends it at 2140 fps in my rifle.

Bob,

Now that you are a full fledged member of the 400 Whelen club we'll have to set up a video conference to show you the secret handshake and explain the rules and expectations of the club. It's a serious and very solemn affair and not to be shared with outsiders.

Welcome to the fold.

Mart

Bob used my reamer for his rifle, I think that's about 4-5 rifles now chambered with this reamer in Australia.
Mine likes RL 15 with a 400 Woodleigh, 60 grains of it has it going at around 2150 fps.
I was also able to make 2100 fps + with H4895 (we call it AR 2206H), H322 (AR 2219) and oddly enough, RL 17.
The 400 Whelen has quickly become one of my favourite calibres to play with.

DC

Here is a group I shot today with my 400 Whelen in 1903 Springfield.
100 yards, 2-7 Leupold.
Was finally warm enough and no wind today so me and the boy got out and shot a bit. I need to adjust it three clicks right and it would be about right.
All the info is on the target.
I love this rifle. I think if I were up to the task it would shoot a group half that size.

quote:

Originally posted by Snellstrom:
Here is a group I shot today with my 400.
100 yards
Was finally warm enough and no wind today so me and the boy got out and shot a bit. I need to adjust it three clicks right and it would be about right.
All the info is on the target.
I love this rifle. I think if I were up to the task it would shoot a group half that size.

Wow!!! That's a target to die for,,,,

my 400 is either in the mail or just a few days away,, spring is a great time to shoot and develop loads around here and brown bears season opens May 10,,,

Not bad Dave.

I shot a 243 today to see had it felt. I'm still months away from getting my 400 out.

Waterrat that is great news that your 400 Whelen is only days away!
Lucky man you are.
If you have your dies, brass and bullets you will be shooting in no time. Load development is a snap, mine was not picky in the least. If you are setting it up for 400 grain bullets then IMR or H-4895 will do, TAC is another option.
Work your way up and your are ready to kill Bears!

quote:

Originally posted by ramrod340:
Not bad Dave.

I shot a 243 today to see had it felt. I'm still months away from getting my 400 out.

Paul
Take it slow and easy and make sure you don't have a set back.
Good to hear though that you are on the mend. You want to meet for breakfast again some time?

quote:

You want to meet for breakfast again some time

Yep will have a stock to deliver shortly.

Trust me after the fall I had "slow and easy" is the state of affairs around here.

Mart, there's a secret handshake?

Yes, but you have to post pictures of your 400 Whelen before we can show you and there is an exhaustive induction ceremony. It's not for the faint of heart.

Mart, if you will just buy that sweet Winchester 73 carbine I have in the classifieds, I could get my build started!
Does the induction ceremony include have your hand stuck in a bowl of cold spaghetti while blindfolded?

Bill,

One of my buddies at work has quite an extensive and eclectic gun collection. He has threatened to get every nickel of my recent promotion. So far he's doing a good job of it getting into my pocketbook for a 256 Mannlicher and a very nice model 64 Winchester of his and talked me into a 9.3x57 and a 10.75x57 he found for me. Alas the 73 is currently out of the question.

I couldn't risk expulsion from the brotherhood of the 400 Whelen by divulging any of the steps involved in the induction ceremony.

Mart

Mart, you simply have to post photos of the .256 Mannlicher!

Well crud guess if you shoot a 400PDK you don't get the handshake.

Just because I have a longer case.

I spoke with the board of directors and they agreed that because our numbers are so small we will allow the 400 Whelen and it's various progeny to include the 411 Hawk and the 400 PDK.

quote:

Originally posted by Bill/Oregon:
Mart, you simply have to post photos of the .256 Mannlicher!

Here's the 256. I believe it is a W.R. Pape. With it and the 400 I'm ready to hunt the world. It's had some use but the bore looks good. I'm headed to the range tomorrow for some load testing with it.

quote:

allow the 400 Whelen and it's various progeny to include the 411 Hawk and the 400 PDK

quote:

Originally posted by mart:

quote:

Originally posted by Bill/Oregon:
Mart, you simply have to post photos of the .256 Mannlicher!

Here's the 256. I believe it is a W.R. Pape. With it and the 400 I'm ready to hunt the world. It's had some use but the bore looks good. I'm headed to the range tomorrow for some load testing with it.

GREAT GOOGLY MOOGLY!!!!!

Mart, that's a terrific .256. Eager to hear range results. I had the remains of one some years ago and sent it to Ross Seyfried. Not sure if he was able to do anything with it.

Ross Seyfried's article on the 256 Mannlicher in Rifle magazine is what sparked my interest in the rifle.

Well, here's another question: Would it be simply wrong, and offend the spirit of Townsend Whelen, to build a .400 on a VZ24? I'd really rather do it on a Springfield, but have a very nice VZ24 just sitting here.

No. I built mine on a modern left handed model 70, I've seen them on Mausers, Rugers and Remingtons. I think the good Colonel would be pleased to know his old wildcat had developed a following nearly 100 years after its inception. I don't think he'd be offended at all by your choice of action.

That would be absolutely sacrilegious.
Springfield = fantastic
Win, Rem, Ruger = good choice
Mauser, Tikka, Blaseer = bad choice should be a metric cartridge.....

Okay maybe that's harsh, I guess any .400 Whelen is better than none.

quote:

Originally posted by Snellstrom:
That would be absolutely sacrilegious.
Springfield = fantastic
Win, Rem, Ruger = good choice
Mauser, Tikka, Blaseer = bad choice should be a metric cartridge.....

Okay maybe that's harsh, I guess any .400 Whelen is better than none.

Snellstrom How do you feel about a 1917 Remington Action? It's being fitted in the stock as we speak?

Snellstrom, I am properly chastened and will hold out for a Springfield.

Bet the majority of 400s in this tread are not 1903's

See a 400PDK will fit in a MKX just fine. If all else fails a 10.15 or 10.2PDK works.

quote:

Originally posted by waterrat:

quote:

Originally posted by Snellstrom:
That would be absolutely sacrilegious.
Springfield = fantastic
Win, Rem, Ruger = good choice
Mauser, Tikka, Blaseer = bad choice should be a metric cartridge.....

Okay maybe that's harsh, I guess any .400 Whelen is better than none.

Snellstrom How do you feel about a 1917 Remington Action? It's being fitted in the stock as we speak?