It's finally underway!

[jmad_81]

Placed an order tonight for my 35 Whelen, a Benchmark stainless 1 in 12 twist barrel, it will be 24" when finished. I feel good about it, all the research I've done says that these barrels are of the highest quality and the guy who is bringing them in to Canada has been very good to deal with. Hopefully it shoots as well as jmad-81's 7mm STW. All that needs to be finalized is the contour when my donor gun gets here want to see how well it fits into my 264 WM's McMillan Edge stock with the factory barrel and decide from there. The barrel should be here in around 10 weeks time.

My 270 WSM (25"), and 280 AI (24") are both fluted Pac Nors, and if I put a McMillan Edge on them, and scoped it with something lighter than a VX-III 4.5-14x40 LR I would have them under 8 lbs pretty easy. I think your on the right track for sure if you are wanting a sub 8lb rifle.


I think you'll be very happy with it! Seems everybody that has a 35 Whelen here has it shooting VERY well!

 

[atmoshpere]

The barrel I had Pac Nor make for my 284 is a 24" #4. If that is the size of Benchmark you're getting I think you will be very pleased with it, from a weight/size standpoint. I think it is a great compromise between rigidity, weight and length. Of course, having a 35 cal hole through it will make it a little lighter than mine :grin:

Good luck with your project! Sounds like it will be one fine piece of equipment!

 

[gerry]

The barrel I had Pac Nor make for my 284 is a 24" #4. If that is the size of Benchmark you're getting I think you will be very pleased with it, from a weight/size standpoint. I think it is a great compromise between rigidity, weight and length. Of course, having a 35 cal hole through it will make it a little lighter than mine :grin:

Good luck with your project! Sounds like it will be one fine piece of equipment!

That's what we decided too when choosing the contour even though a # 4 sounds really heavy those weight calculators are quite helpful in making a good decision. If for some reason it is really heavy the barrel could be fluted but I'm pretty sure it will be fine this should be slightly muzzle heavy which I really like, it makes off hand shooting easier.

 

[Rem Jim]

The barrel I had Pac Nor make for my 284 is a 24" #4. If that is the size of Benchmark you're getting I think you will be very pleased with it, from a weight/size standpoint. I think it is a great compromise between rigidity, weight and length. Of course, having a 35 cal hole through it will make it a little lighter than mine :grin:

Good luck with your project! Sounds like it will be one fine piece of equipment!

That's what we decided too when choosing the contour even though a # 4 sounds really heavy those weight calculators are quite helpful in making a good decision. If for some reason it is really heavy the barrel could be fluted but I'm pretty sure it will be fine this should be slightly muzzle heavy which I really like, it makes off hand shooting easier.

That rifles going to be 9.5 lbs ready to shoot ! Good thing your young and strong to pack it ! :shock: :lol: :lol: :lol:

Cheers RJ :grin:

 

[gerry]

An update to this thread. I got the Benchmark barrel around a month ago and will be shipping it and the Rem 700 SPS on Monday to the gunsmith when it gets back I`ll drop it into the Mcmillan Edge I all ready have. Waiting for it will be some Varget and IMR 8208 XBR plus some 225 gr Accubonds, Partitions and Sierra BT`s and 200 gr TTSX and Hornady bullets. Just got word that my 200 gr Accubonds are in and will be shipped next week when some 6.5mm 140 gr Ballistic Tip bullets also arrive. With 6 different bullets to try it will be a busy summer

 

[SJB358]

That sounds like a good range schedule Gerry. I am pretty anxious to see what your rifle looks like when it is done. Should be the ultimate Whelen!

 

[DrMike]

Gerhard,

It sounds as if you are well on your way. Well done. It will be great to see the finished product and what she does, that's for sure.

 

[sask boy]

Hey Gerhard, that is great news looking forward to your range reports & lots of photographs. Just wondering where were you able to get the 200gr ABs. I have been out of commission for the last week as I was in the hospital :x I have to take it easy for a little while and then it will be back to the bench as I have 3 rifles to get ready for this fall.
Again congratulations on the new rifle it will be fun :mrgreen:


Blessings,
Dan

 

[SJB358]

Dan, glad your back buddy. Hope your feeling better! If the bolt was on the right side, I would send you a rifle already to go.. You could send me that RMR, for testing purposes only!

 

[gerry]

Glad you are back home Dan and getting better, I ordered my 200 gr AB's from Omineca Sports in Vanderhoof, they may have ordered some extra boxes if you want to try.

Their phone number is 1 866 567 9885

 

[LD375]

That sounds like a good range schedule Gerry. I am pretty anxious to see what your rifle looks like when it is done. Should be the ultimate Whelen!

+1...Should be a nice one!..looking forward to see the end results 8)

 

[sask boy]

Scotty just so you know the bolt is on the right side just ask Gerry :mrgreen:

Blessings,
Dan

 

[sask boy]

Hi Gerry, just want to say thanks for the info as I just ordered 2 boxes of 200gr ABs in the 35 :wink:
Price is the same as quote here in Regina but I will have to pay shipping, at least now I will have some.
Unfortunately I have not heard back from Corlane regarding when I can ship my rifle back for repairs

Blessings,
Dan

 

[SJB358]

Dan, if your rifle is like any of the others, I am pretty sure you will do some pretty easy load work with your Whelen. Hope they get your rifle squared away quick. I would be all over them!

 

[gerry]

Hi Gerry, just want to say thanks for the info as I just ordered 2 boxes of 200gr ABs in the 35 :wink:
Price is the same as quote here in Regina but I will have to pay shipping, at least now I will have some.
Unfortunately I have not heard back from Corlane regarding when I can ship my rifle back for repairs

Blessings,
Dan

Good about the bullets Dan, I was able to order mine on the big yearly pre buy sale they had so it was a bit better price for me although I did add a box of 6.5mm 140 gr Ballistic Tips at full price As for your rifle I would call Corlanes tomorrow and tell them it's on it's way back all ready, I'm sure they will take care of you pretty quickly. Hope it works out well for you and you get it back in time for fall.

 

[sask boy]

Scotty I sure hope it comes together for me as it is quite frustrating when you anticipate having something special and then have this happen. Oh well it is all for a reason and I know that once it is corrected it will again be my favourite :wink:

Blessings,
Dan

 

[SJB358]

I did add a box of 6.5mm 140 gr Ballistic Tips at full price

Those bullets shoot AWESOME out of my 264 Gerry. I think they would be some deer slaying SOB's! They run at 3180 outta my rifle and just SHOOT! Very happy with them. Wished I would have bought more when they were 12.00 per 50. I will surely grab more next time, knowing how well they shoot.

 

[gerry]

When the new 260 arrives they will get a good work out, they should be ideal for deer at 2700 fps or so and shoot flatter than expected with it's high ballistic coefficient. Looking forward to trying them out, that 264 WM of yours is quite a shooter hopefully you will be able to connect with a nice deer this fall with it.

 

[nvbroncrider]

That sounds like a good range schedule Gerry. I am pretty anxious to see what your rifle looks like when it is done. Should be the ultimate Whelen!

Scotty are you okay? Ultimate Whelen in a M700 Remington? I did here that right? That means all you gotta do is drop yours in a McMillian!!!

 

[SJB358]

That sounds like a good range schedule Gerry. I am pretty anxious to see what your rifle looks like when it is done. Should be the ultimate Whelen!

Scotty are you okay? Ultimate Whelen in a M700 Remington? I did here that right? That means all you gotta do is drop yours in a McMillian!!!

Trust me Jake, I live in troubled waters.. Having my Whelen living in a M700 tears at me horribly. I tried to sell it and thankfully nobody bought it as I wouldn't have been able to live without one. Mine shoots really well, but I would love to have an Model 70 someday. Till then, I will continue to hunt and beat up this M700. It takes a serious beating in the woods, but it doesn't seem to complain. I have thought about another stock for it, but I think I may just end up putting pillars in it and bedding it. The current stock fits really well and it shoots, so I don't wanna fix it too much, till I break something.