Kimber 84 35 Whelen

[tddeangelo]

I don't know about Virginia, but around here, if one is patient, he can find a used M70 in 270 or 30-06 without much fuss. If he's really patient, he can find one for 4 bills or less.

What this hypothetical fellow could then do, of course, is discard everything except the action, install a .358" bored barrel while truing the action and lugs, and then have it chambered for the 35 Whelen.

He could, hypothetically, then proceed with a Bell & Carlson Medalist stock bed/bolt it all together, and have what many would consider the consummate hunting rifle.

Hypothetically, of course....

This sounds vaguely familiar. Not sure where I've heard this before. Could it have been a dream, a forum search result or just the ramblings of a sick and disturbed man? Oh well, I won't pay it anymore attention. I'm fairly certain that where ever it's source, it most assuredly is just a fictional scenario that will never occur in real life. Come now, a M70 in 35 Whelen? Next thing you know, the Gods will be dropping Coke bottles from the sky.

Well, ironically enough, Scotty and I know a sick and disturbed man who just recently joined this forum expressly to get some ideas as he proceeds with a similar project.

And I, sick and disturbed as I am, Iam soon going to be keeping an eye peeled for a steal of a deal on a standard length M70 with CRF so I can do something similar. A friend of a friend has a pre-64 in 308 Win (no "short actions" existed then) that is in good shape for the metal, but BEAT for the stock. Probably could get into it for cheap whenever he decides to sell it, and he knows to call me if that ever comes to pass that he wants to sell it.

I see that rifle, should I get it, turning quickly into a Whelen.

Separate from that, my dad wants to be relieved of a sporterized Swedish M38 of his. I plan to accomodate him this spring. That will be a project...but no barrel change in the works on that one, as I want to keep it a 6.5x55. I just want to do it...better...than it is now.

 

[DrMike]

Tom,

Surely you wouldn't accuse our boy Scotty of taking advantage of someone who was "sick and disturbed," would you? A 35 Whelen built on a Model 70 would certainly be sweet, as would a 358 built on a short action Model 70.

 

[CatskillCrawler]

I've been beating myself up for 6 years because I shot a BDL in 30-06 that was my donor action. It shot too good to break it. I've learned alot since then and am glad that I hadn't rushed into converting that rifle at that time. I have a much better idea of what I should do now. This BDL has performed exemplary service as the family spare rifle but I'm still looking for a Whelen. I almost bought a used CDL last year but purchased that M70 FWT 257R instead.

Now that I own a M70 I can appreciate its alluring features. I won't say that I prefer one over a good M700 but I can see why someone would.

Your build plan sounds very appealing as does rehabbing a Sporterized M-38. So many ideas, so little time.

 

[tddeangelo]

Tom,

Surely you wouldn't accuse our boy Scotty of taking advantage of someone who was "sick and disturbed," would you? A 35 Whelen built on a Model 70 would certainly be sweet, as would a 358 built on a short action Model 70.

Of course not!

On the other hand, however, a mutual acquaintance to Scotty and I have decided he shall be called "Darth Nosler" because of his influence on several of us to "come over to the Dark Side" with Nosler bullets.

My loading room may as well have been Hornady red until Scotty started working on my bullet selection ideas, and now I'm shooting AccuBonds and Partitions with a few Hornady products hanging on by their fingernails. Hornady makes good stuff, but You'll see mostly little black cardboard boxes in my loading supplies now.

So...I don't think Scotty would take advantage of anyone, but he sure doesn't help any of us reduce the illness of rifle acquisition and rifle tinkering.....

 

[tddeangelo]

I've been beating myself up for 6 years because I shot a BDL in 30-06 that was my donor action. It shot too good to break it. I've learned alot since then and am glad that I hadn't rushed into converting that rifle at that time. I have a much better idea of what I should do now. This BDL has performed exemplary service as the family spare rifle but I'm still looking for a Whelen. I almost bought a used CDL last year but purchased that M70 FWT 257R instead.

Now that I own a M70 I can appreciate its alluring features. I won't say that I prefer one over a good M700 but I can see why someone would.

Your build plan sounds very appealing as does rehabbing a Sporterized M-38. So many ideas, so little time.

LOL....I have an M70 in 30-06 that was giving me fits. Scotty almost...ALMOST...had me convinced to rebarrel it and make it a Whelen, but in his typical good nature, he gave me some guidance on bedding and putting in pillars. Once done, the rifle shot so well, I can't bring myself to mess with it. I believe Scotty's words were "You shot the donor!"

Given that my '06 is now safe, the next logical concept would be to find another rifle in similar length action, my preference would be a .270 so as to save that poor action from an unfortunate lot in life in having a .277 bore, and make it a Whelen, dress it in a B&C or McMillan (if I had the coin to splurge), and then set it up with a superb piece of glass to make it into a force to be reckoned with in any non-dangerous game hunting situation.

Of course, Mike raises a point I've considered, too...if I could catch a short action for cheap, I could go the 358 Win route, and be pretty happy, too.

My current hunting arsenal of M70's includes the 257 Bob, 30-06, and 300WSM. A Whelen would work out well in there somewhere, I'm sure.

The 6.5 is a project for sure. Dad butchered...er...sporterized it when the Swedes were plentiful and cheap. Now that ain't so, and it sure bugs me to see it cut up, BUT...given that the damage is done, then I may as well make the best of it.

He has a Canjar trigger in it, which is a nice trigger, but I flat out despise the safety. Charlie (Oldtrader3) mentioned a safety that can be fitted on Mausers that will mimic the M70 safety. Will cost a few bucks, but I will have it changed to that. Might have to replace the trigger, but that's ok. Not sure.

Then, I noticed that B&C Medalists are available for the M96 action, so the cheap-o IM plastic stock that's on it will go and the Medalist will replace it.

Then the Leupold STD mounts on it will go and I'll get a rail setup on it, unless Talley makes them for the '96, but I rather doubt they do. On the rail will probably go Leupold PRW's, and I'm thinking of a Conquest, Minox, Meopta type scope....or maybe I'll get something real top end for my '06 and push the Conquest on the '06 to the 6.5.

The 257 Bob and the 6.5 will be my daughter's rifles to hunt with when they start hunting. Well, two. I have three daughters, but Bella is only a couple months old, so I have time for her rifle yet.

 

[BK]

I don't know about Virginia, but around here, if one is patient, he can find a used M70 in 270 or 30-06 without much fuss. If he's really patient, he can find one for 4 bills or less.

What this hypothetical fellow could then do, of course, is discard everything except the action, install a .358" bored barrel while truing the action and lugs, and then have it chambered for the 35 Whelen.

He could, hypothetically, then proceed with a Bell & Carlson Medalist stock bed/bolt it all together, and have what many would consider the consummate hunting rifle.

Hypothetically, of course....

This sounds vaguely familiar. Not sure where I've heard this before. Could it have been a dream, a forum search result or just the ramblings of a sick and disturbed man? Oh well, I won't pay it anymore attention. I'm fairly certain that where ever it's source, it most assuredly is just a fictional scenario that will never occur in real life. Come now, a M70 in 35 Whelen? Next thing you know, the Gods will be dropping Coke bottles from the sky.

Well, ironically enough, Scotty and I know a sick and disturbed man who just recently joined this forum expressly to get some ideas as he proceeds with a similar project.

And I, sick and disturbed as I am, Iam soon going to be keeping an eye peeled for a steal of a deal on a standard length M70 with CRF so I can do something similar. A friend of a friend has a pre-64 in 308 Win (no "short actions" existed then) that is in good shape for the metal, but BEAT for the stock. Probably could get into it for cheap whenever he decides to sell it, and he knows to call me if that ever comes to pass that he wants to sell it.

I see that rifle, should I get it, turning quickly into a Whelen.

Separate from that, my dad wants to be relieved of a sporterized Swedish M38 of his. I plan to accomodate him this spring. That will be a project...but no barrel change in the works on that one, as I want to keep it a 6.5x55. I just want to do it...better...than it is now.

Now that you are looking, you aren't going to find one, if your luck is anything like mine.

 

[BK]

I almost bought a used CDL last year but purchased that M70 FWT 257R instead.

As much as I love me Whelen, that was probably a good call.

 

[CatskillCrawler]

Tom - I really think you should slow down and give these ideas more thought... :lol:

I followed your trials and tribulations in bedding and pillaring that stock on the angry forum. I've found that you learn much more when things don't come easy. You have those GMXs working nicely now.

If you get a Medalist for your build all that work will be for naught!

I'm going to ignore your .277 comment. I know you're smitten with the .30-Whelen derivative and cannot be helped in that regard.

 

[CatskillCrawler]

I almost bought a used CDL last year but purchased that M70 FWT 257R instead.

As much as I love me Whelen, that was probably a good call.

That purchase was enabled by TDD himself. He notified us of it's sale on another forum and I snatched it up. I'm glad I went that way too. It just happens that Ned Roberts and I share the same surname so since childhood I have desired that cartridge as my father has too. It was actually a gift for him.

 

[SJB358]

Tom,

Surely you wouldn't accuse our boy Scotty of taking advantage of someone who was "sick and disturbed," would you? A 35 Whelen built on a Model 70 would certainly be sweet, as would a 358 built on a short action Model 70.

Whoa, I leave for a few hours and the bus is dropped right onto my back. I pretty well serious about doing this M70 Whelen fellers. I won't be going at it full steam, but the nations Gun Show in Dulles is coming up. Might be a good place to find my donor for a decent price. Once I have the donor (read 270 Winchester/30-06) it will be all but downhill.

I would really like to make a clone to my 338 I think. I would love a Stainless Classic in 30-06, a B&C Medalist Alaskan (Green with black webbing) and then a properly stamped 35 Whelen barrel. Not sure on the barrel just yet, I know it will be 24" in length though. I would also like a 1-12" twist on it as well, just in case I am ever so inclined to shoot something heavy out of it (yeah, I know, heavier than a 250!)

Tom, Noslers are awesome. Once you put a face to the name and see the cleanliness and diligence of how they work, it makes it that much better. First class folks. Scotty

 

[DrMike]

Ah, it was only a small bus! :lol: Sounds like a plan, Scotty, and I'm pulling for you. Man, it would be difficult to think of you having that Model 70 Whelen and me without, though.

 

[SJB358]

Here is a good M700 Classic. Good price as well.

http://www.gunsamerica.com/961548482/Gu ... 88_ONL.htm

 

[SJB358]

And a BDL

http://www.gunsamerica.com/968050905/Gu ... HELEN.htm#

 

[SJB358]

And a great deal on a CDL

http://www.armslist.com/posts/110774/se ... len---dies

 

[DrMike]

Hmmmm! Maybe those selling are planning on building another on a Winchester action! :grin: Or they don't know how good the Whelen is. :twisted:

 

[SJB358]

Those nutty guys! Jeeze, what are they thinking!