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35 whelen sporter back in commission

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10 January 2013, 11:45
Dago Red
35 whelen sporter back in commission
Not nearly as fancy as some of the stuff that comes through here, but I'm real happy with what I've got now. I wish I'd taken some before pictures. I'll give you guys some background and you'll have to picture in your mind how bad it was before (not badly done, just badly 60's) Smiler

gift from my stepfather, 1917 remington in 35 whelen improved with 26" douglas barrel. LOP I think is only about 13.25" (seems short but not when I'm hunting with my heavy clothes on). It has a lacewood stock that originally was blonde with blackened checkering, beavertail'ish forend, monte carlo chekpiece with major rollover.

Long story as short as possible: 8 years ago getting ready for a pig hunt I started having no fires, light primer strike, I took a different rifle and stuck it in the safe. Finally a couple of years ago I sent it off and had a new firing pin put in, a genuine burgess bolt handle installed instead of the dogleg, and some reshaping magic done to the stock.

At that point I had it sent back thinking I would finish it, try checkering it etc. Finally a few months ago I bit the bullet and sent it out again, had it finished, grip cap added, checkering done. I couldn't be happier with how it turned out and like I said unless you saw the before you can't fully appreciate it.




10 January 2013, 11:47
Dago Red









My rule of life prescribed as an absolutely sacred rite smoking cigars and also the drinking of alcohol before, after and if need be during all meals and in the intervals between them.
-Winston Churchill
10 January 2013, 11:56
Dago Red
Not only was the cheekpiece reshaped and the rollover removed, the forend shortened and slimmed, but the bolt stop surround was reshaped, as was the ejection port, bolt handle area and the area around the safety.

Only thing I don't like and wish I'd had more money to change is the leupold rings and one piece redfield base. I hate leupold standard rings, I won't go through what it took to get them aligned properly but I'll say that I'm out of right windage adjustment.

Scope is a burris 4.5-14 with bullet drop compensator (gift from grandfather after I missed a 450 yard shot).

I have expanded rounds loaded from 57-58 grains of 4064 with 225 sierras for developing load (goal 225 at 2800fps). I have another 89 (no idea where 1 piece of nickel brass went) loaded to expand.


10 January 2013, 12:39
Boxhead
Very nice. Who did the work? I run 60 gr of RE-15 under the 225 gr TSX at 2800 fps. Varget is another good powder to try.
11 January 2013, 11:34
Dago Red
Dennis Olson in Plains Montana. I can't speak highly enough of his work, and timely and good price.

I have a little RL15 on hand but its my powder for the 375. I ran out of varget (which I also run in 375, both are great powders for it). Ill try those next.

Red


My rule of life prescribed as an absolutely sacred rite smoking cigars and also the drinking of alcohol before, after and if need be during all meals and in the intervals between them.
-Winston Churchill
11 January 2013, 14:11
waterrat
Red `You've got yourself a dandy brown bear rifle there!


I tend to use more than enough gun
11 January 2013, 19:58
larrys
That is actually one of the nicest 1917s I have seen. My BIL has one in 30-06 that does not look nearly that good. What would you replace the Leupold set with? And just curious as to why 26" for the barrel?


Larry

"Peace is that brief glorious moment in history, when everybody stands around reloading" -- Thomas Jefferson
11 January 2013, 20:52
cal30 1906
That is a nice nifle.
I have a 1917 that I am comsidering having rechamber and rebored to a .35 Whelan, do you think any work was done to make it feed smoothly?



Cal30




If it cant be Grown it has to be Mined! Devoted member of Newmont mining company Underground Mine rescue team. Carlin East,Deep Star ,Leeville,Deep Post ,Chukar and now Exodus Where next? Pete Bajo to train newbies on long hole stoping and proper blasting techniques.
Back to Exodus mine again learning teaching and operating autonomous loaders in the underground. Bringing everyday life to most individuals 8' at a time!
12 January 2013, 04:35
Dago Red
I would say if anything maybe touched the rails and tuned the extractor, I doubt it would take anything just going to 35 whelen.

Depending on what 1917 you have and what you are having done then issues can be created. Many people w winchesters for instance will try and fill the duck pond, the heat can warp the bridge (depending on how it's done) and then because the 1917 has no guide rib on the bolt like the later model 30 the bolt will bind. (Owned one, that's how I know) at that point you can either lap the bolt till it works or find somebody that can cut a slot in the bridge and add a guide to the bolt

Red


My rule of life prescribed as an absolutely sacred rite smoking cigars and also the drinking of alcohol before, after and if need be during all meals and in the intervals between them.
-Winston Churchill
12 January 2013, 05:02
cal30 1906
Thanks Dago

Ill send it off and see what happens when I get it back.



Cal30




If it cant be Grown it has to be Mined! Devoted member of Newmont mining company Underground Mine rescue team. Carlin East,Deep Star ,Leeville,Deep Post ,Chukar and now Exodus Where next? Pete Bajo to train newbies on long hole stoping and proper blasting techniques.
Back to Exodus mine again learning teaching and operating autonomous loaders in the underground. Bringing everyday life to most individuals 8' at a time!
13 January 2013, 09:12
BigUglyMan
It's not a 9.3x62 but it's darned close. I dig it a lot.


SCI Life Member
DRSS

"In those savage countries success frequently depends upon one particular moment; you may lose or win according to your action at that critical instant."

Sir Samuel Baker