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?