35 Whelen on 1917 Enfield - New Pics Added - Trophies from Hunt w/Rifle

08 July 2018, 21:36

Austin Hunter

quote:
Originally posted by xausa:
What a girl! If I were only 60 years younger, I'd come acourtin'.

I'm a M1917/P14 fan myself. My African heavy rifle is built on a P14 action, so I'm curious: who made the M1917? The action is D&T for a receiver sight, but none installed. Why? Whose bottom metal did you use?

I use Dayton Traister cock on opening conversion units, and have never had a problem with ignition. The kit does include a stronger spring.

My .35 Brown Improved Whelen was rebored and rechambered by P.O. Ackley quite some time ago. I never took it to Africa, but it is a pleasure to shoot.

I don't care for the dog leg bolt handle and consequently all my Enfields have had new bolt handles installed, but that's just my taste. One of them worked well enough for me to score four lethal hits on a running Cape buffalo with it.

A very nice project, well planned and executed.

Thanks!

Bottom metal is from Duane Wiebe. Good news about 35 Whelen on the 1917 is that everything else works since it was designed for a 30-06!

Used a Timney trigger. I have a different spring and cock on open. I had to go with Fed 210 primers, the CCI 210s were too soft. Night and day difference if you look at the target photo comparing the two primers.

Winchester made this action. I was originally going to put a bigger cartridge in here so I opened up the rear of the receiver, but not needed with the 35 Whelen.

09 July 2018, 04:19

surefire7

quote:
Originally posted by Austin Hunter:
quote:
Originally posted by lindy2:
I am wondering why you chose that big action for the .35 Whelan Cartridge?

My original theme was 1920-1930 era cartridges that someone in the US might build onto available US made actions to hunt in Africa in the same time period - so I picked the 404 Jeffery and 35 Whelen.

Great choice IMO. This is the exact battery I used on my last safari with Andrew in Zambia. Perfect!

Congratulations to you and your gal on the very successful safari in Namibia. She can really shoot! And you are obviously a great instructor.

Many happy adventures in the future for you two.

09 July 2018, 06:43

Austin Hunter

quote:
Originally posted by surefire7:
quote:
Originally posted by Austin Hunter:
quote:
Originally posted by lindy2:
I am wondering why you chose that big action for the .35 Whelan Cartridge?

My original theme was 1920-1930 era cartridges that someone in the US might build onto available US made actions to hunt in Africa in the same time period - so I picked the 404 Jeffery and 35 Whelen.

Great choice IMO. This is the exact battery I used on my last safari with Andrew in Zambia. Perfect!

Congratulations to you and your gal on the very successful safari in Namibia. She can really shoot! And you are obviously a great instructor.

Many happy adventures in the future for you two.

Thanks. The 35 Whelen was amazing. I think another unsung hero for Africa might be the 338-06.

On my 404, I took bushbuck to elephant with it 4 years ago. 430 gr solids on the bushbuck and elephant; 380 gr SP on hartebeest and sable.

09 July 2018, 08:09

tk10ga

Im a huge 1917 enfield fan . I regret selling the one I had . It was a winchester 1917 made in december of 1917 according to the serial number .Someone had re-barreled and chambered it to 300 win mag . Killed my first deer with it .

I have thought of buying another one but dont know of any gunsmiths who still build on them.

09 July 2018, 20:08

surefire7

[/QUOTE]Thanks. The 35 Whelen was amazing. I think another unsung hero for Africa might be the 338-06 [/QUOTE]

I know a number of persons on AR who would agree with that statement, including myself.

My next safari battery with Andrew is a 458 Lott/375 H&H/7mmRM.

However, after that, I think on my next safari the battery will be a 416Rigby/338-06/275Rigby.

I've used a 404Jeffery/338WM 2-rifle battery in Zambia which served me very well, and the 338-06 would work just as well in that terrain I believe.

In the end, if I had choose just one with a 400+ caliber, I guess I'd pick the 35 Whelen. Love that round.