Donor Rifle

[truck driver]

As everyone knows I want a 35 Whelen so I've been looking for a donor and this looks like it might be a good one for the price but would like everyone's opinion.
The rifle in question a Remington 783 in 30-06. It is supposed to be very similar to a Savage bolt action with accue trigger, barrel nut, pillar bedding and a floated barrel.
I'm looking at a low budget build and latter up grading everything.
So any info you have on the 783 would be appreciated.

 

[DrMike]

Initial reviews were all positive; they usually are. The price is right, and it should be possible to make certain the build is accurate with minimal effort on your part. Looks interesting for your purpose.

 

[truck driver]

Thanks Mike, I'm thinking of a JES re bore and maybe later a custom barrel, trigger and stock to finish it off. If this rifles barrel change is like the Savage multiple barrels and calibers with the same rim diameter would be easy.

 

[ajvigs]

Sounds like a solid plan. If I reloaded, I would be all over a 35 Whelen.

 

[taylorce1]

I wouldn't do it, simply because there are no aftermarket stocks available. Not when you can pick up a Marlin X7 or Stevens 200 for around $300 off of GB or other auction site. There are more options for the Stevens 200 than there are the Marlin X7 but at least Boyd's for Marlin. The stocks on these rifles are pretty much junk on all the cheap donor rifles and one of the first things I'd be looking for.

Better yet if you're going to re-bore there are a ton of cheap Mauser rifles out there used like a Charles Daly or Mark X if you are patient. Old push feed Winchester M70 or 670 rifles are out there as well for a reasonable price. Not to mention all the M700 ADL's to be had still. Just far better options IMO than going with an untested rifle design just because it's cheap.

http://forums.accuratereloading.com/eve ... 2251058191

 

[nvbroncrider]

When I built my 280AI I picked up a new ADL for $425 and started selling parts. I think for $150-200 just go with the 700. I don't much care for those budget rifles much less as a basis for a custom.

 

[truck driver]

I see what everyone is saying and will probably look in a different direction than the 783. The Winchester 670 is an option I hadn't thought of but that is why I asked for your thoughts.

 

[gerry]

I wouldn't do it, simply because there are no aftermarket stocks available. Not when you can pick up a Marlin X7 or Stevens 200 for around $300 off of GB or other auction site. There are more options for the Stevens 200 than there are the Marlin X7 but at least Boyd's for Marlin. The stocks on these rifles are pretty much junk on all the cheap donor rifles and one of the first things I'd be looking for.

Better yet if you're going to re-bore there are a ton of cheap Mauser rifles out there used like a Charles Daly or Mark X if you are patient. Old push feed Winchester M70 or 670 rifles are out there as well for a reasonable price. Not to mention all the M700 ADL's to be had still. Just far better options IMO than going with an untested rifle design just because it's cheap.

http://forums.accuratereloading.com/eve ... 2251058191

Lots of great advice here, I would also suggest the Remington Sportsman 78 (budget Rem 700) for a donor, they were well made guns and can be found for a reasonable price. Any of those older Remington's or Winchester's would be a great candidate for a rebore.

 

[taylorce1]

There are some real reasonable donors on the campfire right now.

http://www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbthread ... ost8178629

 

[SJB358]

I have seen a couple of Marlin's rebarreled pretty inexpensively and put into a Boyd's stock. Those look like nice combo's and for the money, the Marlin seems pretty decent. No real experience with them though, but I have handled quite a few of them. Can't seem to get alot more for the money they are asking for them.

Taylor brings up alot of good points though. Stay the course. You'll find the "one" soon enough.

 

[ajvigs]

If youre interested in a donor, last I knew my shop had a push-feed Model 70 in 270 they were selling for $400

 

[tddeangelo]

Yeah, pushfeed M70's in 270 or 30-06 aren't hard to find for 4 bills or so. Having had JES do work for me, and maybe I'll eat these words in due time (though I doubt it), I'm not sure I'd pay to rebarrel AFTER I had a rebore done. When JES does a barrel, they cut the rifling, so you're getting your factory barrel reamed out to the proper dimensions and cut rifling installed. If there is something metallurgically wrong with the factory barrel, I guess that would be a reason not to keep it, but if the bore/chamber are now cut and new rifling/crown cut in, I'm not sure a custom barrel will be worth the price of admission. I sure wouldn't pay for a rebore first if I had an eye on a custom barrel later on.

If you can score a 30-06, the rebore is pretty straight forward. I think from when my dropped off my rifle to be shipped until I had it back in my hands was less than 3 weeks total.

I'd personally be watching classifieds/used racks like a hawk. A Rem 700 or Win 70 can be found that is suitable for this purpose. The condition of the bore is immaterial, as well, since it'll all be brand new when the work is done anyway.

 

[truck driver]

I've got some donors in sight and will make a decission when I find the right one. It's just a matter of time and not like I'm desperate or anything. Just like everything else you have to wait for the moment. I appreciate everyones input and ideas because you come up with things I hadn't thought of and it broadens my education.

 

[truck driver]

Hip,hip, Horah :!: :!: :!: I found a donor and can't wait to get my greedy hands on it. :!: :!: :mrgreen:

 

[DrMike]

Hip,hip, Horah :!: :!: :!: I found a donor and can't wait to get my greedy hands on it. :!: :!: :mrgreen:

Congratulations, Rodger! What did you snag?

 

[truck driver]

Hip,hip, Horah :!: :!: :!: I found a donor and can't wait to get my greedy hands on it. :!: :!: :mrgreen:

Congratulations, Rodger! What did you snag?

Well I'm not sure yet because I was so excited I forgot to ask. :shock:
I don't know if it's a Wemchester or a Winchester :?: But I do know it's a Black stocked model 70 in 30-06. :lol: :mrgreen:

 

[SJB358]

Either way, it is a 30-06 and that is the first step in making a 35 Whelen! Way to go buddy!

 

[DrMike]

It'll work, either way.

 

[gerry]

Congrats on finding your donor looking forward to some more details about it when you finalize them.

 

[AFG270]

Congratulations TD. I would be interested to hear how it turns out, rebore or rebarrel.

I have an old pushfeed M70 30-06 that I wanted to rebarrel to a 35 Whelen and a local gunsmith talk me out of it. He suggested a 30 Gibbs or a 338-06. Now after reading this Forum for the last several months a have the Whelen bug again, thanks.