Budget Whelen Rebarrel Ideas

I've got a 111 chambered 30-06 that I want to convert to 35 Whelen. I have and love Shilens and Criterions on smallbores and long range rigs but this is going to be a 18" woods rifle and a beater so I'd rather not spend $300 plus for a barrel where MOA acccuracy is plenty.

Any ideas of sources I should be looking at? A factory takeoff would be great but if Savage ever made whelen barrels (not sure they have), nobody seems to be selling them. ER Shaw might work but seems a little steep for what it is and not that easy to find anyway. The Adams and Bennetts that Midway used to sell would be perfect but it looks like they are discontinued.

I'm open to reboring but am guessing that rebore + rechamber + recrown gets me close to Shilen Select Match price and wait but yielding a barrel that won't shoot near as well.

Is it nuts to get a 338 WM takeoff cheap and then load down to Whelen ballistics? I have a 18" barreled '06 and dont find the blast or balance to be too bad but I can imagine even a loaded down 338 being a bit much cut that short.

Any ideas?

Why not a Shaw? Should be able to get one for about 200 bucks. Call Lance at gun shack and see if he can help you out.

Get ahold of www.apachegunworks.com. Jim is a great guy and makes great barrels. He should be able to hook you up with a great barrel that shoots great. Give him a shout and see what he can do for ya.

FWIW with that short of a barrel you might want to consider a 358 Win over the 35 Whelen, but either should be lots of fun.

^^^ yep i forgot about Jim. And if he has a blank turn around might even be quicker.

I agree with "boots" that the 358 Win is a better short barrel woods rifle. I have an A&B 358 Win barrel I got from Midway for $103 before they discontinued them, and I love it.

ER Shaw can make you a barrel to order that will do anything you need to do in the woods. They are a great value. But I think their delivery time is 4 to 6 months right now.

Good Luck with your project........Jim

Use Apache. See my custom barrel thread here.

Pick up one of these the next time they get a shipment: If you hit the Notify button they will email when they come in.

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/384...ProductFinding

You should be able to find a coupon for $20 off.
After you get the barrel installed sell your factory barrel for $50, the barrel wrench for $20, and the headspace gauges for $20.

So,
$200
-20 (coupon)
-50 (barrel)
-20 (wrench)
-20 (gauges)
Total is $90 to rebarrel to 35 Whelen or 358 Winchester. Cut it down with a hacksaw, crown with a file and carriage bolt. If that's not good enough, buy a crowning tool and resell when you're finished.

I did this and converted a .308 to 358 Winchester and cut the barrel to 20." I haven't shot many groups, but the best groups so far have been an inch with cast and slightly under .5 with jacketed. With cast I use pistol powder to load reduced loads. It uses about half as much powder, produces less muzzle blast, and a flat point bullet going 1800-2000 fps still does the job nicely on deer.

I have an ER Shaw sporter barrel in .300 Savage that is a fine deer shooter. I don't remember seeing a factory offering in .35 Whelen so I wouldn't hold my breath there. I think Shaw is going to be your best bet.