16 March 2008, 00:25
Iron BuckLeft Hand Mauser -35 whelen
I have posted some pictures of this rifle before but they do not do it justice. I had a chance to take better ones this morning while at the range. The natural light helped a lot. It shows the grain & color of the Turkish walnut better.
This rifle started off as a Charles Daly LEFT HAND

action. I had a buddy of mine put on the Douglas barrel cut to 23" & chamber it for 35 Whelen. I then sent it to Gentry for one of his left hand 3 position safeties. I wrapped it all up along with a great chunk of Turkish walnut that I bought here from Ray Atkinson and took the works to Gary Stiles a gunmaker who loves working on mausers.
Gary Put on a new bolt with a nicer angle then the original. It also has 3 checkered panels. He got rid of the push button magazine release & made a new, in the trigger release that is much cleaner in appearance than the original. He smoothed up the action & made it feed perfectly. I now know what CRF is
supposed to feed like. None of my Winchesters feed this way, they all push the cartridge along for 1/2" before it snaps behind the claw. My mauser goes from the magazine to the claw....no free wheeling at all. Gary added Talley quick release rings & I have a Talley peep sight to use as back up should a scope go bad on a hunt. I also had him install a NECG Banded front sight. For blueing I went with a matte finish.
Garys stock work is truly a work of art. The stock is classic & trim. Checking is 24 LPI in a Fler de Le (sp?) pattern. The inletting looks like it was done with a laser.
I have shot this rifle at the range with some extra boxes of factory ammo I had around. I will be working up some hand loads this spring. It has to be ready for elk season this fall! I will be using 250 grain Nosler Partitions.
The Left Hand Daly action worked better than I could have imagined for a custom. I have another action with Gary now that will eventually be my "mountain rifle". But that rifle is a ways off. For now....I will have to enjoy the whelen.
16 March 2008, 01:13
SnowwolfeVery nice rifle! Makes me envious to have my Whelen finished soon.
I never much cared for those CD actions but yours looks pretty sweet.
What bullets are you shooting? Rate of twist?
16 March 2008, 01:22
Iron BuckI have to say that I was pleased with the actions that I got from Charles Daly I bought (2) several years ago when I read that Remington was buying the distribution rights & would not offer left hand guns. I LOVE teh fact that they are ALL STEEL. No plastic or flimsy type followers. And with the changes I had made.....they clean up well

I have the 1:12 twist. In the pictures I was shooting my last box of factory Remington Round Nose 250s. They have not made them in years now. I will be shooting 99% handloads. Mostly 250 grain versions. But I do plan of trying some of the 275s & 300s that I have seen available in 358.
It is a great shooting gun with the factory loads. I can't wait to see what handloads can do!!!
The 35 Whelen has long been my favorite hunting round. I also own a Remington 7600 in the same caliber. That one has accounted for PILES of game. I shoot mostly 250 grain round nose bullets from that one.
I am sure you will grow to love yours as well when it is done. Best of luck with it

16 March 2008, 02:36
FjoldBeautiful gun.
I wish that I had been smart enough to buy a couple of the left handed Daly actions before they lost the import rights.
16 March 2008, 03:26
ROSCOEAnother great example of Gary's work. His stock design is trim and classic. The long grip feels great in the hand. Beautiful rifle!