i see ads in Midway's catalog pretty often where they are selling these sets for a pretty low price. for instance, in my current catalog, they are selling barrels and stocks for only $99. i am interested in having a 35 whelen made and it sounds like this is really a low priced alternative. i have three questions about it

1. is the Adams & Bennett barrel a reasonably good product?

2. after i buy this set, do i just have to then find a mauser receiver to complete the gun?

3. what is a reasonable gunsmithing fee to expect to pay to have these parts assembled?

thanks for the help....

Well that is a start. Depends on what you want.
Action $60-130
Drill & Tap $40-50
Bolt handle $35-50
Safety $20-30
Trigger $35-50
Finish $50-150
Fitting the short chambered barrel. $45-100
As you can see unless you can do the work your self it isn't cheap.

Read my comments on the favorite loads forumn for 35 whelen as to A&B comments.

Since Ruger has a factory 35 whelen out, the only reason to build one on a mauser is to make a superiour gun, and you can, but it'll cost more. Considering the labor involved in sporterizing a mauser, I'd recomend a better barrel. If you do the work yourself, or everthing but the chambering, then you can put the gun together for a reasonable cost, and learn alot along the way.

Bill,

As Paul H said, Mauser mods can be expensive; the "economic factor" in Mauser conversions largely depends on how much you can do yourself. If major changes to the bolt face and magazine are NOT needed, you might find this pretty economical. If you can weld on your own bolt handle and drill / tap your scope mounts, it's much cheaper!

I'm working on a 270, bbl / stock courtesy of Midway @ $99; I'm doing a lot of the work myself, and it will end up a bit cheaper than the cheapest Rugers (don't know which model/price range the 35 Wh is in). I can tell you though, the satisfaction factor is higher with one you build.

Be aware: to fit all possible incarnations of the '98, the stock, esp bottom metal area, is a bit "sloppy." I'm planning on bedding it in and applying a finish over everything, if I can figure out what bedding / finish will work on thermoplastic.

Todd

Sorry -- I reread your original post, and realized I didn't really answer any of your ??'s.

In addition to a Mauser receiver, you will need a scope friendly safety, new trigger (unless you don't mind two stage), and a new bolt handle / re-forging of current bolt handle.

Re: accuracy, I have heard A & B barrels are surprisingly good for the price, but haven't tried it yet myself. Featherweight they are not.

Todd

Paul H: i cannot find a Ruger in 35 Whelen in my 2001 Ruger catalog. which model are you talking about??

thanks

Todd: thanks for the help. i had heard the same thing about A&B barrels. weight is not a problem for me. i am just looking for a project. i mess around with guns way more than is healthy.... ))

Bill,

Ramrod is pretty accurate with his price estimates. Be cautious of anyone charging less that 75.00 to fit the A&B barrel.

I've installed quite a few and they seem to shoot reasonably well for the price.

Good Shooting,
Craftsman

The whole key to Mauser conversions is being able to do it yourself.

If you must pay for it, go buy a new rifle and you will be money ahead.

Wal Mart specials for $300 is a deal. You will spend taht much jsut getting yur Mauser converted.
The A & B Barrels are great.

------------------
May I be half the man my dog thinks I am.

Just another vote for the "do it yourself" route.

I have one of the A&B .35 Whelen combos on a VZ-24 off being parkerized right now, so I don't know how this one shoots yet, but I have a few other A&B barrels and they shoot well.

Fortunately, I had already bought some of the tools required for other rifles, so my cost on this project broke down like this:

1. Action - $60 (VZ-24)
2. Safety - $10 (DaytonTraister MkII)
3. Drill and tap - $0 (already had the jig)
4. Bolt handle - $0 (ok, maybe a few dollars for the gasses for forging)
5. Trigger - $0 (just smoothed out the original)
6. Finish - $85 (parkerized, I wanted just a matte durable finish)
7. Stock and barrel combo - $129
8. Reamer - $80 (I can use this again, if I need more .35 Whelens)
9. One piece Redfield mount - $15

Fairly inexpensive. Won't win any beauty contests, but should be good Whitetail medicine.

Go for it!