sask Boy's 35 Whelen

[DrMike]

Dan is chomping at the bit to get his rifle. I did a few modifications. I managed with some difficulty to get the bolt where it belongs. I'm sorry I don't have a picture after I finished working on it, but here is what it looked like before I began on it.

It looked pretty good, but the bolt was backwards. I had a terrible time shooting it. When the bolt was lined up, I had to use a mirror to see where I was shooting. I can't say that I've ever shot backwards from the bench, but it was either that or give up shooting that critter. It shot pretty good, considering that all I had was some factory ammunition with me. The boys in the back handed me a partial box of Hornady SuperFormance 200 grain SP ammunition. Here is the first group shot with that ammunition after the trigger was tweaked.

I figured that was not bad, considering the rifle was backwards and I had to shoot using a mirror and all. The final group wasn't bad either, considering all that was going on.

The day wasn't a total waste for me. I had my new 338 Federal out for the first time to do a little break-in. It's a sweet rifle, and the bolt is on the right side (literally).

Again, considering that I was shooting factory ammunition and doing break-in, the rifle didn't do badly. It shot 200 grain Fusion loads about as I might have imagined. It doesn't appear to like Federal's load with 180 grain AccuBonds, however. It did show an appreciation for Federal's 210 grain Partition load, however.

I may have to look at this particular load more carefully.

 

[bullet]

Liked the report and like the 338 fed

 

[6mm Remington]

Nice shooting Mike! Where did you get your bags, and what kind of filler is in them? I sure like his scope on that Whelen! Oh my!
David

 

[DrMike]

David,

My wife makes my shooting bags. They are double-stitched denim filled with silica sand (washed and for sand blasting so there is no dust). They provide an exceptionally stable shooting platform that allows me to mould the bag for any rifle form. We sold them through the local gun store for a while, but we haven't made any for a couple of years.

The Leica is a great scope--very clear and smooth.

Mike,

I believe I will enjoy this 338 Federal. I'll begin working up loads for it shortly. Hopefully, I'll post some results before the summer is gone and I'm into the fall hunts.

 

[RiverRider]

That's a fine looking little Model 70, DrMike...and it wants to shoot, too! The .338 Federal is an interesting cartridge for sure. I think Dan's going to like his rifle very much, it's already showing it wants to shoot to---plus he's going to love the .35 Whelen. In my limited experience, there isn't any easier cartridge to get shooting!

 

[DrMike]

Thank you for your compliments. I do love my Featherweights, and this one turned out quite well. It is a handsome little rifle. I did put a twenty-four inch PacNor barrel on it. Though I did not chronograph the loads this afternoon, I have no doubt that the rifle will perform when called upon to do so. I don't see it replacing my .358, but it is always possible that it will lead the way to the creation of another Featherweight into a .358. I do believe Dan will be punching little bitty holes in paper in short order. The rifle does want to shoot. The little hiccup seems to have been addressed and now it is time to give this rifle some legs.

 

[gerry]

The rifle grouped well with the factory loads it should be a shooter, Dan should be a happy camper soon. Your 338 Federal looks very nice as well, like the wood

 

[DrMike]

I do believe Dan will be happy. I think he is occupied this evening. I did send him the pictures earlier, but I haven't heard back except for a brief note stating that he was pleased. His rifle should be shipped on Monday; I delivered it to the shipping department late this afternoon. It was too late to make the mail today.

 

[BK]

Mike, is your Federal barrel a little heavier than a stock Featherweight?

 

[DrMike]

The present barrel is similar to the contour of the original Featherweight. There is a bit of additional weight since it is two inches longer. I have not weighed it, but picking it up does not suggest imbalance or significant additional weight.

 

[nvbroncrider]

Nice Dan should be extremely happy that thing is gonna be lights out!

 

[sask boy]

I AMMMM back :mrgreen: well that Mike sure can trick shoot using mirrors and all that :roll:
Seriously I want to thank Mike for all his help, he went above and beyond, he is a true gentleman and I do owe him :wink:
I know that this lady is going to be my go to rifle real quick & with the 225gr. AccuBond travelling through it I should be able to fill a freezer or 2 this fall.
I am looking forward to getting the rifle back late next week and then the fun will begin 8)
I promised myself that I am going to learn how to post photographs and keep you guys informed.

PS. Mike that M-70 is one sweet looking rifle, I know that you will have it shooting sub.5 in no time at all.

Blessings,
Dan

 

[nvbroncrider]

I think to repay Mike you need to learn how to shoot right handed since he has learned how to shoot left!!

 

[DrMike]

Dan,

The Whelen shoots very well. As I said, I had a partial box of SuperFormance 200 grain Hornady SPs. The result speaks for itself. With testing in the shop, the rifle digested a total of thirteen rounds without a glitch. It is working well. The new trigger addressed the drag of the first one, and another, yet stiffer spring, gives you a nice, deep strike with pronounced indentation on the primer. I'll send my bill later. It will likely amount to a Saskatchewan whitetail hunt, or something. :mrgreen:

I really like Jake's suggestion. Excellent point, Jake.

 

[sask boy]

Guys if I starting shooting right handed what would become of my good friend and fellow lefty gerry
I believe it would be much better if all of you all started to think properly and switched over to the lefty position. You guys would see the target in a more complete perspective :shock:
Now that we are able to obtain shooting equipment of equal quality to that of the right handed people our plan is falling into place :twisted:
Seriously though it is just nice to know that my rifle is ready and of quality I have never had before.
The bad thing is I would really like to build another rifle but with this contract over I might have to be satisfied with what I have.
Life is good and I have been blessed :mrgreen:

Blessings,
Dan

 

[DrMike]

Dan,

You should be good to go for load development very soon. You'll enjoy what this rifle does, I do believe.

 

[sask boy]

Mike, I just about have all my equipment at the front door waiting for the 35 Whelen to come home.
After spending time with you I can't sell my truck as I need it to get everything to the range :wink:

Blessings,
Dan

 

[DrMike]

I know what you mean Dan, I'm negotiating for a bigger truck now, just so I can continue to go to the range.

 

[SJB358]

DAN!!! That rifle is going to be a tackdriver buddy! If it is shooting like that with factory ammo, I can't help but think it is going to be incredible with your handloads!

Mike, I gotta say, that 338 Federal looks very good! That rifle looks very proportioned and just nice. They did great work on it. Seems like they could have gone the extra .02" on the barrel, but either way, it is a slick rig and that 24" barrel should really let that rifle run.

The Model 70 358 Win Featherweight would be a sweet rifle as well. I have a feeling if I did that, alot of rifles would get orphaned! With that nice long Winchester mag, the 200 and 225 AB's would work really nice I think.

Gotta say, that 338 Federal is a sharp rifle though. Hope the 210 PT's shoot for ya. Can't imagine much those wouldn't handle around 2700FPS.. Especially at the wrestling distances you hunt!

 

[DrMike]

I noted on Dan's rifle that the magazine is very deep; there is lots of room to seat the bullets out. It will allow for a lot of finessing to maximize accuracy.

The 338 Federal should be a good cartridge for me. The fellows did a nice job. I was intending to focus on the 180 and 200 grain bullets, but I wouldn't be disappointed with the 210 grain Partition. It will handle about anything I would want to tackle with that rifle.