FN Custom 35 Whelen, near instant rifle

08 December 2022, 16:43

FN action as made by FN. A very simple and quick build. No from scratch action making. Shilen barrel, Timney trigger, Talley signature bases and rings and a decent stick of American Black, Rosewood tip, crossbolt plugs and grip cap. A classic American styled rifle and roughly 6X less expensive than a rifle where I make the action from scratch.

08 December 2022, 16:52

Peter Connan

Yet still extremely beautiful and classy!

08 December 2022, 17:54

Timan

quote:
Originally posted by Peter Connan:
Yet still extremely beautiful and classy!

Thanks!
My client was interested in a nice rifle that looks good and will get the job done. He's a hunter and this rifle will be used. I suggested better bottom metal, custom scope ring bases etc. bolt handle change out, etc. etc. the list goes on and on. His comment, not necessary I already have a good number of rifles with all the bells and whistles and at the end of the day makes very little difference on actual hunting use and just adds time and expense getting all that stuff in hand. "just work with what's already there...Ok, will do.

08 December 2022, 18:40

450 Fuller

First-rate stock work and a beautiful rifle.
I have a 35 Whelen done with a pre-64 M-70 , custom stock and the original barrel & sights-re-rifled & chambered. But this rifle is in another class.

If you get a chance, PM me on approximate cost of a similar rifle in 338-06. Thanks RM

08 December 2022, 20:33

dpcd

Very nice; nothing wrong with FN actions.

08 December 2022, 21:40

Atkinson

Very nice work..especially the checkering..
RAy

08 December 2022, 22:43

Austin Hunter

Could sell a bunch of these! Perfect rifle!

Always liked the FN actions

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08 December 2022, 23:35

ZekeShikar

Uh, what's not to love about that rifle?

I really think it's beautiful and totally classic/classy!

Thanks for sharing it with us, sir.

Zeke

09 December 2022, 03:44

devere

that is a wonderful rifle !!! It seems to me that we're short on such working rifles that have some class as well. I couldn't agree more with your customer: bells & whistles do nothing to the function. Actually I probably wouldn't want to take even something that nice on my next trip to Alaska but probably on many lower 48 hunts. I suspect that there's lots hunters wanting something like that well done. thanks for sharing.

09 December 2022, 10:22

Cougarz

Beautiful rifle. That would suit me very nicely!

09 December 2022, 15:36

p dog shooter

That is a very nice looking rifle.

quote:
His comment, not necessary I already have a good number of rifles with all the bells and whistles and at the end of the day makes very little difference on actual hunting use and just adds time and expense getting all that stuff in hand. "just work with what's already there...Ok, will do.

But his comment also tells us.

That is why most people get by with factory rifles.

09 December 2022, 18:31

Timan

quote:
Originally posted by p dog shooter:
That is a very nice looking rifle.

quote:
His comment, not necessary I already have a good number of rifles with all the bells and whistles and at the end of the day makes very little difference on actual hunting use and just adds time and expense getting all that stuff in hand. "just work with what's already there...Ok, will do.

But his comment also tells us.

That is why most people get by with factory rifles.

It's a want vs need argument. I knew a WW2 veteran who easily could afford all the customs he could get built, but he didn't. All production guns. He pulled the trigger on Colorado Elk until the age of 80. Lived to the age of 97. His rifle? A pre-war 70 in 30-06, only needed just the one. He would sight in then take 2 rounds of ammo and only 2. His take was "if you can't get it done in 2 you can't get it done with 20. He was not a fan of long shots either, he was all about getting as close as possible, which would explain the 2 shot idea.
A survivor of the Battle for Tarawa and a successful Denver area businessman. The name is John Price. Part of the greatest generation where duty and honor and selflessness came 1st.

09 December 2022, 18:40

Kolo-Pan

My Sears Model 50 (FN) is jealous!!

09 December 2022, 23:57

Timan

quote:
Originally posted by Kolo-Pan:
My Sears Model 50 (FN) is jealous!!

It can be a problem, kinda like a sibling rivalry and when they get stuck in the back seat or in the same safe with each other seems the uglier one always wins, won't show the scars as much.

10 December 2022, 01:07

Gundog 64

Stuart,
Beautiful work as always. We need to talk soon, the barreled action should be done early Jan.
John

10 December 2022, 07:42

Timan

quote:
Originally posted by Gundog 64:
Stuart,
Beautiful work as always. We need to talk soon, the barreled action should be done early Jan.
John

10 December 2022, 22:37

slivers

quote:
Originally posted by Timan:
quote:
Originally posted by p dog shooter:
That is a very nice looking rifle.

quote:
His comment, not necessary I already have a good number of rifles with all the bells and whistles and at the end of the day makes very little difference on actual hunting use and just adds time and expense getting all that stuff in hand. "just work with what's already there...Ok, will do.

But his comment also tells us.

That is why most people get by with factory rifles.

It's a want vs need argument. I knew a WW2 veteran who easily could afford all the customs he could get built, but he didn't. All production guns. He pulled the trigger on Colorado Elk until the age of 80. Lived to the age of 97. His rifle? A pre-war 70 in 30-06, only needed just the one. He would sight in then take 2 rounds of ammo and only 2. His take was "if you can't get it done in 2 you can't get it done with 20. He was not a fan of long shots either, he was all about getting as close as possible, which would explain the 2 shot idea.
A survivor of the Battle for Tarawa and a successful Denver area businessman. The name is John Price. Part of the greatest generation where duty and honor and selflessness came 1st.

Why isn't there a 'like' feature on this forum?

11 December 2022, 23:08

bwanamrm

Impressive as usual!

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Or walk with Kings - nor lose the common touch...
Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it,
And - which is more - you'll be a Man, my son!
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Life grows grim without senseless indulgence.

16 December 2022, 20:15

JeffreyPhD

Gorgeous classic rife.

21 December 2022, 08:57

Scrollcutter

I like it!!! Well done Stuart.

31 December 2022, 00:24

Wstrnhuntr

Very nice. Love the furniture. I dont believe Ive seen a cheekpiece quite like that one before. It looks rather unique.

31 December 2022, 01:36

BaxterB

quote:
Originally posted by Wstrnhuntr:
Very nice. Love the furniture. I dont believe Ive seen a cheekpiece quite like that one before. It looks rather unique.

Reminds me of an Echols Shrike. Although the front fades out in a different spot.

03 January 2023, 18:46

Timan

The inspiration for the stock design came from model a 70 that was stocked by Dale Goens.
I had the Goens rifle for a stock repair. The stock was broken thru the grip. I do like the Goens stock but the thought to make a stock like it never crossed my mind until the day my client dropped of his parts and wood for the 35 Whelen project. He was looking at a few rifles I had in the rack and he picked up the Goens rifle and liked the stock shape and checkering pattern. He asked if I could style the stock after the Goens stock so that's what I did.

03 January 2023, 21:34

BaxterB

quote:
Originally posted by Timan:
The inspiration for the stock design came from model a 70 that was stocked by Dale Goens.
I had the Goens rifle for a stock repair. The stock was broken thru the grip. I do like the Goens stock but the thought to make a stock like it never crossed my mind until the day my client dropped of his parts and wood for the 35 Whelen project. He was looking at a few rifles I had in the rack and he picked up the Goens rifle and liked the stock shape and checkering pattern. He asked if I could style the stock after the Goens stock so that's what I did.

Great info! Very nice rifle.