Has anyone rechambered a 357 handie to 35 whelen? Will the twist stabilize a 250 gr cast bullet? Any information would be appriciated. Thanks Hammerhead

I don't understand, I posted to this much earlier today, that post is not here, perhaps I hit the wrong key.....

Yes, that barrel could be rechambered to 35 Whelen, but would require the use of a lathe as there is a great deal of metal to be removed. Doing this by hand would most likely result is a chamber both out of round and off center of the bore.

The twist rate is 1 in 18.5. The Greenhill formula says this is a little slow, but several who have rechambered to 357 Maximum say that it shoots 250's ok and the added velocity of the 35 Whelen would only aid stabilization.

JPH45 thanks for the reply. I think this would be a great cast bullet set up. However I posted the same question to David White and his response was not to do it because the groups were more like patterns 6 to 10 inches. Any thoughts on this???? I would hate to muck up a good 357 barrel!!!!! Hammerhead

Not to speak bad of him, just I question a lot David White has to say. A proper reamer and a properly done rechambering should give no trouble. you may want to ask plenty of questions about the lead angle on the throat if cast bullet shooting is on your agenda. If you are simply looking for a heavy cast bullet rifle, the 356 or 358 Winchester would fill the bill just as nicely as the 35 Whelen. The 358/444 would work nicely too. I would venture to say that as a cast bullet shooter alone the 357 Maximum is nearly perfect in case capacity for the task. A 250 grain bullet at 1600 fps from the Maximum would be one deep penetrator while being the ballistic twin of the 44 Magnum. Not sure what game you are after exactly. As a cast shooter, I would look to a smaller cartridge, the extra case capacity could be a hindrance more than a help. If you are looking for a jacketed bullet "anything in the lower 48 and most anywhere else gun" the 35 Whelen would be hard to beat. If I step up with my 357 barrel, it will be to the 356 Winchester. 444 brass can be run into a standard 356 resizing die ans walla, brass. It may have to have a bit of neck trimming and turning, but is readily available, and the cartridge will do anything I want to do with a .35, cast or jacketed.Good Shooting, JP

JPH45 thanks for the quick reply I had wondered about the reply from D.W. I think that you are on to something with the 358/356 Win. rechambering job don't know why I didn't think of it. Oh yeah brain fart that explains alot. I just want to be sure it will stabilized a 250 gr bullet. I am for the most part not shooting anything but paper with it. A good deer season for me now is if I don't have to bloody a knife, now thats not the way it is for my boys.8->!!!!!!Anyway the 358/356 deserves (sp) more thought on my part. Once again thank you for your input. Hammmerhead

Hammerhead, I did the curiosity shooting with 250 grain RN in a maxed Handi. They did stabilize, but I would not expect 250 spitzers to do so. Had no spitzers on hand and I sure ain't curious enough to buy a box to see.

I'm satisfied in my own mind that a rechambered .357 would handle 225 spitzers and 250 RNs.

The cast bullet I was thinking about using is the Lyman 358318. I have been shoping for a mould for nearly a year and not much luck. I tried to buy one on e-bay but the auction closed while I was out of town working and I didn't get the highest bid. If I can't find one of these I guess I'll have to buy a mountain mould or something else. Hammerhead

Hammerhead: NEF/H&R made a Rocky Mountain Elk Federation Commerative in .35 Whelen few years back. You occasionally see them offered on some of the gun sale threads. I have a .35 Whelen Handi that I got while they were making the RMEF run. I called Mr Garrison the CEO at that time and he had one barreled up on a standard Handi frame. I love it, My Dad used it to shoot a Moose with three years ago. One shot thru heart, both lungs, and broke one shoulder. The Moose fell on the spot and did not get up.

WolfHunter OK I am ignorant here was the RMEF a single shot rifle? What was the rate of twist of the barrel? It seems to me I saw a thread somewhere about REMF rifles but they were bolt actions..I was wanting a B.O.S.S. any info will help.. Thanks Hammerhead Ok I see that you have a Handi chambered for this so I guess if I had read your post the first time I would have known. I would really like to have one of these.