I'm planning on starting this project somtime this fall. I've yet to aquire the rifle and have a few questions. I will be using one of the new issue rifles, not an original. Would this conversion work on either the .270 or '06 model or is one better than the other? The .270's seem to run slightly less $$. Is this a difficult conversion or just a matter of rebarreling? Is the '95 action strong enough to load the .35W to it's potential? Finally, any 'smith recommendations? Thank you, Dave Arens
Yes the 95 is strong enough for the conversion. the 270 would be fine. the barrel can be rebored to 35 cal. the only problems I have heard of is reboring to .411 for the 405 Winchester ctg. The 35 Whelen is a great ctg. enjoy.
Just have it rebarreled..The cost isn't that much different and save yourself a two or three year wait...Either the 06 or 270 is fine...You may require some action work..
The conversion is very simple. I had a Browning 1895 rebored to .35 Whelen by Cliff LaBounty. He did a great job, but if I were to do it again, I would rebarrel the gun instead, fit it with a barrel band front sling swivel and a banded front sight. My rifle is fitted with a Williams receiver mounted peep sight. Interestingly, whan I rebored the gun, the point of impact changed upward 14 inches even though my Whelen load is 200 fps slower than my .30-06 load. As to whether to use a .270 or .30-06, use whichever is cheaper. When loading for the M95, stick with the starting loads for the Whelen, as the action is not as string as a bolt, and does not have the same extractor power. As to a gunsmith, try Norseman Arms, I have seen quite a bit of their work, including M95's and all was excellent.
Posts: 3866 | Location: Eastern Slope, Colorado, USA | Registered: 01 March 2001
