Gents, There is a 1895 Winchester available to me that has been converted <poorly> to 35 Winchester and my intention is to rechamber it to 35 Whelen. The history I got is that was an 30-06 originally and therein lies where the trouble starts I believe,and where the solution starts....the -06 being rimless and the 35 Winchester a rimmed cartridge the rifle has been a non-feeding proposition from the get-go. My belief is that the Whelen would be a better cartridge for the rifle while salvaging the present tube and gaining much,losing nothing. Any body hear of a Win 1895 in 35 Whelen ? I also already own a 35 Whelen built on a Rem 34 action and having two Whelens would benefit me in keeping merely one set of inexpensive dies instead of having to buy costly custom 35 Winchester and 35 Whelen dies. Besides, It would fill a gap in my lever action collections that is now devoid of 35's. 45nut
Posts: 538 | Location: elsewhere | Registered: 07 July 2001
The M-95 rear lock-up was never more than marginal for 30-06 pressures. Many originals that were shot have headspace problems. I wouldn't think it a great idea in .35 Whelen
I think it would be a viable conversion as long as you didn't try for bolt action performance. Keep 250s to around 2300fps and it should be OK. Regards, Bill.
There was a gun store in Anchorage, Alaska, Gun Traders that had several 95s made up in 35 Whelen a few years ago. I didn't hear of any problems with them.
Posts: 284 | Location: Georgia | Registered: 13 December 2001
You need to think that one thru pretty good, if its in 35 Winchester its based on the 45-70 round to go to the 35 Whelen you will need to change out the bolt, How old is the rifle if its an original that was converted Fred will not do it, according to last time I talked to him
Posts: 1529 | Location: Tidewater,Virginia | Registered: 12 August 2002
I just saw your thread, I have one of the Browning 1895's in 35 Whelen and love it. As Bill Leeper said, keep velocities in the original Winchesters to around 2300 fps with a 250 grain bullet from a 24" barrel. In the Browning, I go to 2400 fps, but that is out of a 26" barrel. This is a great timber rifle for elk and the like. I am currently having mine restocked with a higher comb and a cheek piece.
Posts: 3858 | Location: Eastern Slope, Colorado, USA | Registered: 01 March 2001